Special needs program expands for families

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PAUSE for Parents, Play for Kids

A program providing a night off for parents and caregivers of children with special needs is expanding in Butler County.

A second location and monthly night for PAUSE for Parents, Play for Kids — which provides a night out for caregivers and a fun, safe night in for children — has been added through a partnership with Center Pointe Christian Church in Liberty Twp., said Jennifer Powers, family connections coordinator at Butler County Family & Children First Council.

“Center Pointe has a very robust special needs ministry,” Powers said. “It was an easy fit.”

From January through June 2015, the program will continue to be held from 5 to 8 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Charleston Club in West Chester Twp.

Center Pointe Christian Church has signed on as the program’s second host location, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month at 5962 Hamilton Mason Road, Liberty Twp. The first night will be Jan. 16.

The Charleston Club serves children ages 5-12 with special needs and their siblings. With the addition of Center Pointe Christian Church, Powers said an even larger group of children can be accommodated with ages 3-12 accepted.

Lisa McCoon, early childhood ministry administrator at Center Pointe Christian Church, said the church started two years ago its one-to-one program for children with special needs. She said on Sundays, parents can come to worship and “not worry about anything” as their child is cared for.

“We have a special needs room with sensory things and special lighting,” McCoon said. “We have an area to be alone with fluffy pillows and soft things. We have a swing and special music playing. We have special games and activities just for them.”

McCoon said as a parent of a child with special needs, she knows first hand the extra patience and love that goes into caring for these children.

“When PAUSE presented this, we were just super excited to extend what we do on Sundays and allow for a much needed Friday night out,” McCoon said. “(For parents) to exhale and rest and know their kids are having fun in a safe place.”

Powers said since starting in October, the program averages about 15 children per night with between 30 and 35 volunteers. She said the special needs vary wildly, from mild mental health and behavioral problems to fully non-verbal children with autism spectrum disorder.

“We’ve had so much support from the community,” Powers said. “Butler County is a community of compassion.”

Powers said with all the momentum and energy going into the new program, the Butler County Family & Children First Council has hired Tracy Quinton as full-time director for the PAUSE program.