House of Representatives vote to support New England Center for Children

Southborough - State Rep. Danielle W. Gregoire, D- Marlborough, recently spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in support of an amendment on Developmental Disabilities Services. The amendment allocates $100,000 for the New England Center for Children (NECC) in Southborough, and Gregoire urged her colleagues to consider the statewide value of the center.

NECC is a school that provides a full range of educational, residential and treatment program designed to help children with autism and other developmental disabilities reach their full potential. NECC serves 350 students in the commonwealth between the ages of 18 months and 22 years, as well as their families. The school operates a facility in Southborough and 15 residential group homes in the Metrowest and Worcester area.

NECC's services are designed to provide students with the skills needed to live productive and happy lives. Emphasizing independence, skill development, and safety, NECC services, including academic; speech and language therapy; social and life skills development; vocational training; physical education; occupational therapy; family services; outreach services and healthcare, have been carefully developed to deliver superior care and heightened learning opportunities for each child.

"With the number of children with autism in this country growing every day, it is extraordinarily necessary for our school districts to have the tools to educate children with spectrum disorders," Gregoire said. "This amendment supports the NECC in its eff orts to equip local school districts and families of children with those invaluable tools."

The amendment was adopted unanimously.