Tobacco funds used to help ID disabled children

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Tobacco funds used to help ID disabled children

S.F. to receive $250,000 to help diagnose disorders

By Bonnie Eslinger

http://www.sfexaminer.com/articles/2006/02/06/news/20060206_ne05_tobac

co.txt

A state program to detect disabilities in pre-kindergarten kids

before they lead to educational or behavioral problems has been

allocated $20 million in state tobacco tax funding — with San

Francisco set to receive $250,000 this year.

Although parents are quick to notice physical disabilities,

neurological disorders can often go undiagnosed, said Juno Duenas,

executive director for Support for Families of Children with

Disabilities.

" It comes through as behavior issues, " Duenas said. " When that child

acts out, they get labeled as a bad kid, the parents get labeled as

bad parents because they're not controlling their child, and those

kids get kicked out of one child care after another. "

To assist in early detection for disabilities, the state's Children

and Families Commission created the Special Needs Project, which

begins implementation this year in 10 pilot counties, including San

Francisco.

Getting appropriate services for young children with disabilities is

key to future development, said Gloria Corral, interim executive

director for First Five San Francisco, which supports local free

preschool efforts as well as other services for pre-kindergarten age

kids.

" Any developmental issues: language issues, auditory issue … if

they're not treated early on, it can reduce the likelihood for

children succeeding and doing well in kindergarten, " Corral said.

First Five and The Children and Families Commission are funded

through a tobacco tax passed by voters in November 1998 to support

education, health and child care for expectant parents and children

up to age 5.

San Francisco's $250,000 allotment will serve approximately 500

children, according to Corral. Since this is the first year the

program has been implemented, services will be initially targeted to

four low-income neighborhoods — Mission, Excelsior, Bayview and

Visitacion Valley — through community-based organizations and local

preschools.

The funds will be used to hire and train staff, offer screenings, as

well as implement services to help children diagnosed with special

needs.