The Providence Center Receives Grant from Shriners of RI Charity Trust
Funding will support The Providence Center School’s Technology Lab which uses innovative teaching approaches to help students with disabilities learn.
December 22, 2010 (Providence, RI)—The Providence Center is pleased to announce the receipt of a $10,000 grant from the Shriners of Rhode Island Charity Trust. The grant will support The Providence Center School’s Technology Lab, which consists of SMART Tables, SMART Boards, computers and software that make learning interactive, collaborative and customized.
“The Shriners have been a tremendous support in our technology initiative over the last five years,” says Dale K. Klatzker, President/ CEO of The Providence Center. “Their generosity has made it possible for hundreds of students who have difficulty learning in a traditional classroom to have success and enjoy learning. Our students, teachers, parents and organization appreciate the Shriner’s continued support.”
When children with emotional disabilities are taught to control their behaviors and stressful situations the rate of risky behavior drops dramatically. The ability to grasp materials and keep up academically improves when children with disabilities are taught using innovative techniques.
“At The Providence Center School, our goal is to help students succeed academically and socially despite disabilities and barriers,” says Marty Morris, Providence Center School Principal. “One tool that has proven successful in helping Providence Center School students succeed has been technology, especially SMART Technology, an interactive learning environment that engages students and helps them work collaboratively.”
The Providence Center School’s Technology Lab also serves as a model for student teachers. Five special education student teachers do their teacher training at TPCS each year. During that time, they learn not only how to use technology to better teach students, but also to develop lesson plans that help to give children with disabilities an advantage in the classroom. Technology in the classrooms provides hands on curriculum development and teaching strategies that are essential for children with disabilities and allows student teachers to bring strategies into the classroom that will make every learning experience a positive one from pre-school through high-school.
The Providence Center is at the forefront of innovative approaches to behavioral health care designed to meet the changing needs of the more than 10,000 people served each year. Since The Providence Center opened its doors in 1969, it has been a community fixture, providing people from all walks of life with mental health and substance use services in their homes, schools and neighborhoods. In addition to comprehensive high quality behavioral health services, The Providence Center gives people the tools they need to succeed. Through 39 programs and wraparound services, including food and housing, job training, legal services, primary health care and wellness activities, The Providence Center helps the people it serves to succeed.