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Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments


1750 S. Big Bend Boulevard
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
Local Telephone: (314) 776-1300
Toll Free Telephone: (800) 341-4310
www.dgckids.org
E-mail: info@dgckids.org

Contacts


Debbie Naucke, Executive Director, danaucke@dgckids.org

General Information


The Delta Gamma Center provides early intervention services for children and their families up to 36 months of age as well as a wide array of family support services for families with children of all ages and support groups for school-age youth.

Consistent with the family-centered philosophy of the organization, the Center offers a wide variety of family support activities, including groups for parents, grandparents, siblings and three recreation and support groups for graduates of the Center's early intervention services (up through high school).

Geographic Area Served: 50 miles in all directions from office; includes 5 counties in Missouri and 5 counties in Illinois.

Services Offered


Assessment


Performs functional vision assessments for newly diagnosed children to determine visual functioning and recommendations for service. Also provides occupational, physical, speech therapy evaluations and assistive technology assessments.

Fee: Fees are not assessed by the Center for assessments and evaluations, however, families are asked to enroll in their state's early intervention program.

Community Outreach Programs


Outreach to the two children's hospitals in St. Louis; "ability awareness" programs for local school districts; "Saturday Seminars" consisting of low cost seminars for community professionals on a number of topics pertaining to young children with special needs and/or visual impairments.

Fee: Fees for a few select events; with scholarships available as needed.

Computer Training/Assistive Technology


Has a toy-lending program and provides assistive technology services including evaluations and purchase of recommended equipment.

Counseling


Short-term counseling services are provided upon request to parents/caregivers of children with visual impairments from infancy through high school graduation.

Fee: None

Early Intervention/Infant Services


The Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments is committed to helping children who are blind or visually impaired reach their full potential through individualized education and therapy services for infants (birth to three years) and their parents and through support services for children, their families, and the community. Offers home- and center-based instruction from teachers of the visually impaired. Provides occupational, physical, and speech therapy and training in orientation and mobility and use of assistive technology.

Fee: Families are not assessed a fee for services, however, they are asked to enroll in their state's early intervention program.

Information and Referral


Professional staff provide information and referral services upon request to children and their caregivers and to other service providers in the community.

Fee: None

Libraries/Alternate Media and Learning Resources


The Center maintains a small loan library for children, caregivers, and professionals. We have also published several resources related to children with visual impairments which include:
  • Adolphson et. al., Beyond the Stares: A Personal Journal for Siblings of Children with Disabilities
  • Burrell-El et. al., A Look Into Our "i's:" A Compilation of Introspective Writings from a Group of Extraordinary Young People with Visual Impairments.
  • Russell-Brown, Jo. In Touch with Your Baby's Development
  • Becoming a Supporting Parent: How to Listen, Talk, and Instill Hope in Others (DVD)
  • You, Your Baby and Anophthalmia (VHS)


Fee: Our books and other resources are available for purchase on our website at www.dgckids.org

Recreation Services


Group recreation and developmental support Programs are available through the Center for children ages 3 through high school graduation. The groups meet monthly to address the development of social skills, independence, and community participation and to provide a forum for peer support. School-age participants also have the opportunity to go on annual challenge trips.

Fee: A small registration fee is requested but not required.

Support for Parents


Parents/caregivers can request individual support services and have the option to participate in group trainings and family activities. Parent-to-parent matches are also available upon request. In addition, support services are available to siblings, grandparents, and children with visual impairments. Offers parent counseling, referrals to community programs, assistance in school placement.

Fee: For some activities, minimal participation fees are requested but not required. No on is turned away because of inability to pay.

Support Groups


  • Support groups are available to parents of infants and toddlers who attend Center-based programming.
  • Family activities and support group meetings for parents/caregivers of children of all ages are available periodically.
  • Monthly support and recreation groups are available to children ages 3 through high school.
  • There is an annual meeting for grandparents of young children with visual impairments.


Fee: For some activities, minimal participation fees are requested but not required. No on is turned away because of inability to pay.

Travel/Orientation and Mobility


Orientation and mobility evaluations and training are offered through the Center for toddlers for whom it is appropriate.

Fee: Fees are not assessed by the Center for assessments and evaluations, however, families are asked to enroll in their state's early intervention program.