From the Desk of the CEO

Dear Families and Friends,

Spring is in full bloom, and so is Autism Acceptance Month. Together, we celebrate students for who they are and all they’ve accomplished. Students’ many successes are possible because of the care and partnership of families, administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, and clinicians – who help each child thrive.

BCCS’ history has always been rooted in parent advocacy. Whether joining a Parents’ Association, an event, or parent training, you are strengthening our community and helping create a better future for all children. 

Right now, being a vocal BCCS advocate has never been more important, as significant changes are underway, from prospective cuts to Medicaid funding to the United States Department of Education. Without these programs, access to Early Intervention, Behavior Intervention Services, Applied Behavior Analysis, and specialized therapies would be unattainable to many.

It’s vital that every parent with a child supported by BCCS take action and share what having access to meaningful supports and services means to them. We also invite you to share your story—your experiences, hopes and moments of pride—and tag BCCS on Facebook and Instagram. Sharing your stories and connection to our community are powerful acts of advocacy helping build understanding through lived experiences.

By advocating together, we can ensure children of all abilities are supported to learn and grow–and that we come ever closer to BCCS’ vision: for every child, a lifetime of achievement. 

Best regards,

Stanfort J. Perry

The Power of Our Preschool Parents’ Associations

Rickey Rogers, a dad who volunteered for the first time at the Marcus Avenue Scholastic Book Fair, decided to join the Parents’ Association (PA). Thinking back to how involved his own mom was when he was in school, Rickey knew he was following in her footsteps.

“It’s definitely something you should look into,” Rickey said of joining the PA. “It’ a great way to give back and the more parents are involved, the more we can get done.”

Rickey learned about the Marcus Avenue PA during the school’s welcome orientation and received more details through Class Dojo, the online platform connecting parents and teachers. Rickey added that he and his wife gravitated toward Marcus Avenue after seeing how the staff interacted with each other and the children, and that it felt like “home.”

Scholastic Book Fair Visits Marcus Avenue

During the week of April 7, Marcus Avenue team members, along with the school’s Parents Association (PA), set up shelves and tables and stocked them full of popular titles, accessories, and playful collectibles from Scholastic.

The school hosts the longstanding book fair twice a year, in the fall and spring, to introduce preschoolers to the joy of reading. 

Sharing Tradition, Creating Connection: CRP’s Annual Seder

Every year, young people supported by Brookville Center for Children’s Services’ Children’s Residential Program (CRP) enjoy the cultural tradition of gathering for Passover Seder.

Led by Speech Pathologist Deborah Lapidus, everyone learns about the items on the Seder plate, hears the story of the Jewish people’s exodus out of Egypt, and participates in Passover activities like wearing masks to represent the plagues.

This year, on a rainy April afternoon, young men from residences in Lido Beach met around the dining room table in House 28 for the Seder.

They were immediately drawn to the items on the Seder plate prepared by Assistant Manager Ronny Fisher, asking questions about the chicken bone, which represented the shankbone, and the matzah.

From First Steps to Big Dreams: Home- and Community-Based 
Supports for Children and Young Adults

Children with intellectual and developmental delays learn best with services that are tailored to their individual needs and strengths. Brookville Center for Children’s Services (BCCS) programs are designed to provide high quality services and educational experiences to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delays.

Its Home- & Community-Based (HCBS) Program extends this opportunity to students and parents outside of the classroom to teach foundational skills necessary for future learning.

“We are one of the biggest providers of this service,” said Steven Gidseg, program supervisor. “We support students across Long Island. Families are looking for these services and we have been gaining momentum to meet the demand.”

Touring What They Make Possible: LIWLSC’s Annual Visit to Brookville Center’s Education Center

This March, the Long Island Wine & Liquor Sales Club (LIWLSC) visited Brookville Center for Children’s Services Brookville Campus to experience firsthand how their generous support benefits our students with developmental disabilities, including autism.

The tour included visits to classrooms with communication supports and Smart Boards, sensory rooms that help students regulate and focus, and transitional learning environments like the PAES Lab and Model Apartment. These hands-on spaces give students the chance to practice job roles and life skills in preparation for greater independence.

LIWLSC members, including this year’s Golf & Tennis Outing honoree Tim Burns, had the opportunity to see how their fundraising directly enhances educational and enrichment opportunities on campus.

We are honored to be part of the impact they’re making—and grateful for their continued commitment to our students and programs.

Coming Up

Empowering Communication through Echolalia: An Introduction to Gestalt Language Processing

This workshop provides a robust introduction to gestalt language processing. The material outlines the 4 main stages of gestalt language development, explores implications for therapy and interdisciplinary collaboration, and concludes with resources for continued learning. It is intended for speech-language pathologists, special educators, caretakers, or other related service providers who support neurodiverse children and gestalt language processors.

Register today

Rate: $70
Registration Deadline: May 9
Thursday, May 15 | 9:30AM – 12:00PM | Virtual

AHRC Foundation Rose Ball

Join us at our Annual Rose Ball! A festive evening dedicated to raising funds for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 7pm-11pm | Oheka Castle Huntington, NY

Register Today

Reach for The Stars: Summer Soirée

"Reach for The Stars" is an exciting initiative which aims to raise funds exclusively for the benefit of our students, teachers, and schools. In 2025, our funds will be allocated to two vital programmatic initiatives.

Thursday, July 10 | 6:00PM - 10:00PM | AHRC Mansion / BCCS Education Center Campus, Brookville, NY

Learn More

AHRC Foundation Walk

Join us and an entire community of people committed to increasing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on Long Island.

Sunday, November 2, 2025 | Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY

Learn More