IMPACTING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BY CREATING CARING, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY: THE ARC OF SOUTH FLORIDA TRAINS IT’S TEACHER IN THE PEACEWORKS CURRICULUM

The Peace Education Foundation joined hands with Arc of South Florida in support of its work of: “Protecting and providing for the needs of the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities”.

Arc has integrated the PeaceWorks curriculum in its work with special needs children over the years. Center administrators saw the need to provide further staff development in Conflict Resolution and Social Emotional Skills, As a result 52 teachers from Arc ACE Academy throughout South Florida centers in Florida City, Kendall, and North Miami were trained over two days in the Arc campus in Florida City.

On Sept. 30th a group of 23 teachers (Grades K-3) recieved a targeted training for early primary grades focusing on the Peacemaking Skills for Little Kids curriculum and I-Care Rules.

On Nov. 4th a second group of 29 teachers working with special needs children grades 4-8 recieved training focusing on the Peace Scholars: Creative Conflict Solving and Creating Peace, Building Community curriculum.

The Arc of South Florida is a local chapter of The Arc, one of the largest volunteer organizations in the U.S. Founded in 1953 by a group of concerned parents. The Arc of South Florida serves the over 1,000 Miami-Dade County citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Though still governed by volunteers through the Board of Directors the Arc of South Florida has grown into a major community agency, providing a variety of programs and services that affect hundreds of participants, their families and the community each and every day.

ACE Academy is a private non-profit school for students with disabilities in grades Pre-K to 12th with campuses in North Miami, Kendall and Florida City. ACE’s integrated comprehensive program for the whole child addresses the social, educational and therapeutic needs of each child. Unique community social learning experiences, an academic curriculum recommended and approved by Florida Department of Education, and a therapy program infused throughout classroom activities using hands on activities combine to create the innovative learning experience that is ACE.