This is a new organization and we are still figuring it all out. We currently have three meeting places in Indiana. We have meetings in Cleveland, Ohio, Fort Wayne , Indiana and Edinburgh, Indiana. We will be looking to add more locations as we gain more members. We just added a FB page to our group and are just beginning to add info to the page. We currently have 30 members. We have gained some b
acking and are continuing to look for sponsors to increases our ability to touch more families. Currently, to participate in our programs, your child must have a medical impairment emotionally, intellectually or physically that makes learning a challenge. The child must have IEP which is a requirement for the sponsors as we are given materials for our members to use along with classes, teacher support and field trips. Although we don't label this a co-op , it is in a way as we are a small group looking to make a big difference for our special children and that is a job that takes us all to work together. September 2015, we launch our classes that meet once a month for two days in a row (conferences) , free tutoring, library usage of homeschool and special needs resources, speech therapy, and emotional group/family therapy by licensed therapist. We also have some volunteer ministers that will be working with kids and passing out materials to spread the word of the Lord for families that have an interest in learning more and worshipping with us. We have partnered with some hotels in each area that will allow us a block of rooms on these two day conferences for 40 dollars a night . Eventually, we hope to have these nights covered too for families that live over two hours from the meeting location. On the second day of each monthly conference, we will do a fun day together with some type of field trip. This is all new for us so we are open to all recommendations, suggestions etc.... The goal of this isn't to replace current co-ops in any of our home areas or to segregate our special needs kids. Its to give the special needs children and their families to also participate in a group that gives our families the support that may not be given in groups where there isn't a lot of other special needs kids. This seems to not only be good for the parents and the children with special needs but the siblings of the children with special needs. More info will be given as we get closer to Sept. We just found our library space, meeting space in each area and received the homeschool materials for each area. . We have therapists and teachers lined up. It is all coming together so we just ask if you know somebody that has a child with an illness or a special medical issue that homeschools and has a current IEP, have them inbox us. The days that we will meet monthly will be a Wednesday/ Thursday as this is what works best for our hotel sponsors and the meeting facilities. This has been a goal for me as I myself have a serious brain injury and if it wouldn't have been for homeschool, I wouldn't have gotten through school or college. I had a great co-op but really could have benefitted to have a group of other kids that had similar issues and people to give my family extra help. You may notice that not everything on my site is worded correctly. My brain injury was so severe that I was never to write again at all. With homeschool and the right support, I would say I am doing pretty good! All children with special needs deserve the same chance!
