Special Children's Programs

Special Programs for Children offers individuals ages five to 20 intensive support in the home or in community-based recreational and leisure activities. Recreational programs afford children the opportunity to participate in activities typically enjoyed by their peers. The models for these safe, highly structured programs are flexible and are coordinated with educational, residential, and other services a child may receive. Services includes:

In-Home Support
In-Home Support offers services to children and their families in their home and community. Services are coordinated with the child's school schedule and family needs and may include instruction in specific cognitive, emotional and behavioral skills areas; tutoring; and other supports to help each individual develop life, behavioral, social and leisure skills, in accordance with each person's Individual Plan of Care.

The After-School Program
The After-School program supports participants in a variety of social, recreational, and therapeutic activities after-school until 6 p.m. Service delivery is coordinated with both public and private school schedules. After-school services are received at the CSS Resource Center, where consumers recreate in the facility's game room, soft-play room, and gymnasium, and participate in art, music, and dance therapies according to their preferences and needs. The program also supports participants to access safely and successfully a variety of quality community resources.

Special

The Saturday Program
Children in the Saturday program participate in social and recreational activities in the community with continuous support and supervision from trained caregivers. Individuals are supported to access facilities and engage in activities appropriate for their age. Outings include, but are not limited to, the following: play at area parks, bowling alleys, indoor game facilities, and nature centers; swimming; and hiking. NOTE: This services closes during the summer. Children are encouraged to participate in the Summer Camp from late June to late August.

Holiday Camps
CSS holds week-long recreational camps during Montgomery County Public Schools' winter and spring breaks. The safe camps run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and provide numerous opportunities for social and recreational enjoyment both at the CSS Resource Center and in the community. Each day is highly structured and individualized to suit the age, needs, preferences and strengths of each participant. CSS holiday camps typically include the making of seasonal arts and crafts projects.

Space is limited! For camp reservations, please contact Fasil Temesgen, Director of Special Programs. For private payment, please ask for daily and weekly rates.

Summer Camp
The Summer Camp program supports children in social, recreational, and leisure activities both at the CSS Resource Center, where it is based, and in the community. Participants enjoy a highly structured day that includes outings to a variety of community venues, including, but not limited to: aquatic centers; parks, including Glen Echo; bowling alleys; museums; miniature golf courses; indoor entertainment facilities; waterparks; and the National Zoo.

The Summer Camp's schedule and hours of operation are coordinated with the MCPS Extended School Year (ESY) schedule. On non-school days, children may be brought to the CSS Resource Center as early as 10:00 a.m.; they are picked up by 4:00 p.m. On ESY days, MCPS may transport children on school buses at the end of the school day's events. Children are picked up at the camp on school days at 6:00 p.m. Private schools may have different schedules. When possible, the camp will adjust hours for individual children, upon request.

During the camp day, CSS provides transportation to and from community activities. The CSS Summer Camp runs throughout the summer. However, campers are welcome to attend selected days and weeks.

CSS SUMMER CAMP 2007 SCHEDULE
The CSS Summer Camp is now closed. The After-school program is now in operation weekdays after school until 6 p.m.

June 16 - 20
June 23 - 27
June 30 - July 3 (MCPS)
July 7 - 11
July 14 - 18

Space is limited! For camp reservations, please contact Fasil Temesgen, Director of Special Programs. For private payment, please ask for daily and weekly rates. NOTE: Summer Camp will be closed on July 4, 2008 (Independence Day.) Special Saturday programs will close for the summer. The service will re-open on September 6.

For more information about Community Support Services Inc.'s Children's Programs, contact Fasil Temesgen, Director of Special Programs.