DAY-CARE CLIENTS SAY GOODBYE

As about 15 children ate ice cream at a good-bye party on the last day for Include Me Too Child Development Center on Friday, staff members and parents were talking about a new effort to resurrect the inclusive day care program that began as an Easter Seals program.

"We are trying to form a committee of parents, staff and interested community members to restart an inclusive center," said Pat Carter, assistant director at the Easter Seals Center who has been volunteering at Include Me Too.

She said the committee will meet Tuesday evening at United Way to look at options for a place to house the center and funding sources.

Include Me Too was begun by parents and staff after the closing with just two weeks notice of the Easter Seals Development Center at 1912 Broadway by the state Easter Seals organization. St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church allowed Include Me Too to use a former convent for its inclusive program that served special needs and typically developing children. However a fire-marshal inspection found the building was in violation of the fire code for a day-care center and ordered the center to close at that location.

While most of the parents of the 25 children enrolled at Include Me Too have found other day care options, Carter said many of the parents have told her they would come back to Include Me Too if the program was restarted.

"Between those children, some special needs children and some children on our waiting list, I think we would have enough to get us started again if we can find a building and funding," Carter said.

Those who want to offer help or suggestions for restarting the program can call the United Way office Monday or Tuesday at 334-9634.