Children and Family Services

Potentials School

Every child deserves the best education possible.

The school offers a cutting-edge approach to educating children from pre-k through eighth grade who are unable to walk and talk independently. Through its intensive therapeutic model, Potentials equips students with a solid foundation in communication, mobility, sensory needs and academics. Greater independence allows them to have more positive experiences at home and school, as well as in the community.

Who benefits from our school: Recognized locally and state-wide, our school is for students in pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade with physical, communicative and/or medical needs. The intensive classroom learning is interwoven with speech, occupation, and physical therapies and the comprehensive family support services of The Arc of Palm Beach County.

What our school offers: Our curriculum focuses on a therapeutic educational model, designed especially and individually for children with special needs. The school’s focus on independence, communication and academics provides stimulating opportunities for learning. Potentials School has the full support of the Palm Beach County School Board and is an active member of the Florida Consortium for Public Charter Schools.

ALL UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

SAIL Academy

Charter school for students with intellectual disabilities.

SAIL offers an educational program that blends traditional academics with practical life and vocational skills. The goal for all students at SAIL is to acquire transferable skills that lead to independence and employment when they complete school. SAIL is a charter school for middle and high school students operated under contract with the School District of Palm Beach County.

Who benefits from our school: Seagull Academy for Independent Living, also known as SAIL, offers students ages 11-22 a safe and nurturing learning environment that can be customized to meet students’ needs.

What our school offers: We are committed to providing a comprehensive, individualized education program for each of our students, utilizing a holistic approach to advancement in academics, as well as life, social, and job skills. Each classroom at SAIL employs innovative teaching methods that allow students to learn through hands-on, manipulative activities. Life skills such as money management, grocery shopping and preparation of simple meals is part of the educational experience. The maximum ratio in each classroom is 1-to-7, staff member to students, to allow for the individualized learning environment that makes the difference at Seagull Academy.

ALL UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

SAIL Contacts

Bairbre Flood
Senior Director of Education and Therapeutic Services
561-842-3212
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Amy Brown
Director of Education and Family Services
561-540-8110
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Jodie Lane
Speech and Language Pathologist
561-540-8110

Respite Services

Caregivers need time away from caregiving.

Who benefits from our program: Our respite program is designed not only to protect the caregiver’s health and well-being, but also to prevent out-of-home placement and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect.

What our program offers: Through The Arc’s respite program, trained workers provide center based and compassionate in-home care to children with a developmental delay that allows parents the opportunity to balance their lives while decreasing stress and recharging. All respite program staff members have extensive experience working with people with developmental disabilities, and receive ongoing training on relevant issues and new procedures. Each respite worker is required to pass rigorous pre-employment federal background screenings. Upon acceptance into the program, interviews are scheduled with potential workers so that families are guaranteed that the person coming into their home is someone with whom they are comfortable. Center-based respite care is offered each Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, alternating between The Arc’s Courim Center in Riviera Beach and The Arc’s South Campus in Boca Raton.

Children and Teens Camps

Creating social experiences for youth with disabilities.

The Arc provides a wide array of recreational camp experiences for children, teens and young adults. Activities range from field trips to arts and crafts to sports lessons. Well-trained staff facilitate a safe, active community- based experience.

This one-of-a-kind program provides developmental, social and behavioral support services to youth enrolled in approved afterschool, day camp and summer camp programs throughout the county.

Stand Up

Teen initiated leadership program.

Young adults develop leadership skills through peer-to-peer mentoring, advocacy and inclusion. The goal is to improve student’s quality of life through a variety of educational workshops, public speaking opportunities and most importantly, connection. Members earn volunteer hours and build their college and career resume providing peer-to-peer mentoring to children and teens with Arc of Palm Beach County.

AmeriCorps

Dedicated to strengthening communities.

AmeriCorps members help individuals with developmental disabilities learn and perfect much needed skills, provide community inclusion opportunities and promote self-advocacy. Members develop job readiness, employment soft skills, explore job opportunities and provide vocational training as part of their service.