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— cuyahogabdd.org
Lois Davis, of Beachwood, wants to make sure her husband, Larry, is remembered.
Larry Davis, who passed away at 75 years old, was the inspiration for The Lois J. and Larry Davis Family Endowment Fund, which provides support for a variety of projects throughout the Northeast Ohio community.
“I couldn’t do it without Larry,” Davis says about the endowment fund. “Larry deserves to be remembered and I want to honor his memory. People recognize the name; if you don’t use the name, no one will follow you (in donating to others).”
Davis says her son, Jeffrey, was the first one to point out that she could make a difference in the community.
Davis went on to choose projects and organizations to donate in her family’s name.
Davis has donated to the Ronald McDonald House Cleveland as an annual room sponsor, providing funding for guest rooms where families can stay at no cost while their child is receiving medical treatment at Cleveland area hospitals.
She also has supported the Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland’s The Hebrew Shelter Home, a place for women and children escaping domestic violence or homelessness.
“(Opportunities to give) just come up and I can make a difference in a person’s life,” Davis says, which is why she wanted to continue to support LiveSpecial.com. “There are so many people that could benefit from this magazine and the website, I wanted to support this project in some way. I know how valuable LiveSpecial.com is for our community.”
Education
Importance Of Access To Early Learning
How young children with disabilities develop skills and promote inclusion with early childhood education
The first few years of a child’s life are crucial as they set the stage for future academic and personal success. During the first five years of a child’s life, their brain develops rapidly, allowing them to retain up to 80% of their lifetime knowledge.
Access to high-quality early childhood education has many benefits for young children, including aiding the development of social, emotional and cognitive skills. Such benefits are no different for children with special needs.
Inclusion Benefits All Children
By being included and empowered in the classroom, children with disabilities have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside their peers, which reduces the stigma often associated with disabilities.
“Inclusion is important to all children regardless of their ability, because it fosters a culture of empathy and understanding among all students,” says Sharon Thompson, Step Forward’s early childhood inclusion coordinator. “It encourages mutual respect and appreciation for differences.”
Data shows inclusive services improve social development in children, as well. “Children with disabilities can benefit from socializing with their peers and developing better social skills,” says Renata Turner, a Step Forward early childhood inclusion coordinator. “This helps them establish stronger relationships and have a greater sense of belonging. Children with disabilities who are included in the classroom have a greater sense of belonging, which can lead to increased self-esteem."
Early Identification
According to Step Forward’s inclusion staff, it ensures each student with a disability can fully participate in the least restrictive environment.
Once a child is identified as having a disability, the inclusion coordinators connect children and their families to a range of specialized services to support their development. These services may include accommodations like mobility devices, assistive technology, or individualized resources like counseling, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
For example, Head Start is an early education program that promotes school readiness in children from birth to age 5. It's free to income-eligible families and focuses holistically on children to integrate nutrition and health and dental screenings into their preschool experience.
“Early identification is paramount,” Turner says. “Early identification changes a developmental path and improves outcomes for children with disabilities.”
For more information on Step Forward’s Head Start, visit stepforwardtoday.org