Laradon Hall Society for Exceptional Children and Adults

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Impact Statement

Laradon continues to expand and refine programs to reach out to more people with special needs. In 2007-08 we opened our Medically Fragile II center which continues to be a successful and highly desired program for individuals with disabilities and severe medical needs. In 2010, we became a provider for the Ticket to Work program where we can help even more people find jobs in the community. In 2009, Laradon began creating a Positive Behavior Intervention Support program to help give students, families and teachers an exact outline of expected behaviors to ensure success for our school age students. The implementation of this progrm is improving the lives of children with special needs.

Medically Fragile II serves adults with developmental disabilities coupled with severe and chronic medical conditions. Through this unique program, participants are getting the chance to experience relationships, participate in a variety of activities and events, outings and be part of their community.

b. Laradon is now an Employment Network for the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program. We are one of only five contracted Employment Networks in Colorado at this time. This program allows adults with disabilities, who are recieving Social Security Disability benefits to return to work. Everyone who recieves this benefit gets a ticket. When they are ready to go to work they are connected with an Employment Network. Those who choose Laradon will be assigned one of our certified Employment Coordinators who will help them to find and keep a job. This program will help many people by providing guidance and support to finding employment, lasting independence and self-sufficiency.

2. Laradon is now using a Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) program in the Alternative School. Our program offers students rewards for a job well-done and for exhibiting appropriate behavior. We have created a paw print emblem which is used as a symbol of appropriate behavior. This was inspired by Laradon's school mascot, Lightening the Leopard. Students earn PAWs as rewards. They can exchange these PAWs to purchase items from the School Store, watch movies, go on special field trips and much more. Most importantly they are getting the positive reinforcement that drives and encourages proper behavior and helps them to reach their goals and enjoy success.

Laradon's school provides educational, pre-vocational and therapeutic services to children ages 5 to 21 who are dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and co-existing psychiatric/behavioral disorder. Our goal is to help students increase their daily living skills, advance their education and provide the therapy they need to be successful.

Needs Statement

1. Capital Campaign funding to construct a new state-of-the-art Education Center for children, ages 5 - 21, who have been diagnosed with developmental disabilities, including Autism, and co-existing psychiatric/behavioral disorders.

2. Expand Laradon's Childrens Services Division programs to reach more children in need of services and provide them with the skills needed for long-term success that can continue into their adult lives.

3. Expand adult programs to provide community, employment, medically fragile and basic skills services to more adults with developmental disabilities so that they may become productive members of their communities.

4. Continue to offer continuous training and professional development for current staff and recruit qualified professional, management and support staff to ensure we are providing the best services, therapies and operating systems as possible.

5. Provide ongoing maintenance and remodeling to existing buildings in order to utilize our space to the best of our ability. Maintenance includes Laradon's Administration Building that was built in 1925. This building was designated a Denver Historical Landmark in March 2004.

6. Laradon would also like to implement "green" energy savings systems. Laradon is currently participating in several recycling campaigns and encouraging staff and participants to save energy and recycle whenever possible.

7. Laradon continues to need funding for our Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) program for the Alternative School. We are making great progress with students using this model of behavior management. By outlining the expectations for everyone who interacts with the student, we are ensuring consistency and success. This program offers awards, field trips, and other incentives to inspire and congratulate children for exhibiting appropriate behavior in all environments. Laradon is using the Colorado Department of Education's model, but we have tailored it for children who have developmental disabilities and co-existing psychiatric/behavioral disorders. The program encourages school spirit, school pride, self-respect and respect for others.

Background Statement

When Joseph and Elizabeth Calabrese's sons were denied admission to public school because they were "mentally retarded," Joe Calabrese said, "If no one will take my sons, by golly, I’ll open my own school.”

The Calabrese’s invested their life savings into establishing the first school in the Rocky Mountain region for children with developmental disabilities. In 1948 Laradon, which is named after the Calabrese children, LARry And DON, opened its doors to three enrollments in a renovated home on Federal Boulevard in Denver, Colorado.

The Calabrese's had a vision that that if people with disabilities were given the same rights, privileges and opportunities as those without disabilities they could realize their full potential, contribute to their communities in their own unique ways and become valued members of society.

In the 1940s, there were little, if any, services available to children with developmental disabilities and the news quickly spread that there was finally a place for special needs children to recieve an education and training. For this reason, Laradon quickly outgrew the original home on Federal Boulevard. In 1951, Laradon moved to its current location at 5100 Lincoln Street in the abandoned Globeville school building.

In the beginning, Laradon only provided education and training to children, but as these children grew into adulthood, Laradon expanded its services to include adults with special needs.

The vision of the Calabrese's still drives Laradon's mission and goals today. We continue to grow and expand services and programs to reach as many people with special needs as possible, giving each participant the same rights, privileges and opportunities as those without disabilities.

Laradon serves more than 600 enrollments annually to people of all ages, birth to senior citizens, in 11 "best practice" programs. The programs reach all levels of disability from mild to profound. Laradon's comprehensive services and broad array of programs provide each participant with the highest caliber of training, therapy and support so that they can be successful in reaching their full potential and thrive in a dynamic world.

Executive Director Statement

Laradon is an organization filled with caring staff, wonderful participants and a supportive community. It is, without a doubt, one of the best service agencies in Colorado helping people with developmentail disabilities and other special needs reach thier full potential.

At Laradon we experience success everyday. Our participants are making strides, great and small, toward living a life of more independence and self-sufficiency. The staff are making a positive difference in the lives of Laradon participants, providng quality care, respect and encouragement to all participants.

Our participants are successful because Laradon's programs are individualized and supportive focusing on the person's abilities, needs and interests. Laradon staff genuinely and passionately care about the participant's well-being and future.

Board Chair/President Statement

Laradon is a wonderful organization filled with outstanding programs and services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs. At Laradon people with disabilities are able to learn the skills they need to have success in school, employment and in their personal lives by learning to be as self-sufficient as possible.

Participants thrive at Laradon. To talk with them, to see their happy expressions and their achievements show that Laradon is successful in its purpose. I enjoy visiting the participants in their programs. Watching the parents with their babies and toddlers during their weekly play-and-learn groups, the youngsters learning in classrooms and when talking with the people in the adult programs, I know that all are getting the expert services they need. This gives me immense satisfaction to know that I am part of such a great organization – an organization that helps people with special needs become the best they can be.

I am particularly happy about the development of Laradon’s new education center, which will be built adjacent to Laradon’s Administration Building. This expansion will allow Laradon to provide more services to children with developmental disabilities and co-existing psychiatric/behavior disorders. But most importantly, Laradon, as a whole, will benefit from the building of the new education center. The adult programs will be able to use the current school space for day programs and continue to grow. With expansion in both children and adult services, perhaps Laradon will be able to significantly increase enrollments and help many more children and adults with special needs.

I encourage everyone to visit Laradon and see firsthand how they make a difference everyday. It is an unforgettable experience that I believe will inspire you to get involved with Laradon and with people with developmental disabilities and other special needs.

"They have helped more than they will ever know. I cannot thank Laradon enough!" Laura Patton, grandmother of Laradon school graduate.

"Without Laradon Hall I wouldn't have had my first job, I wouldn't have known what it means to communicate with other people, I wouldn't know what it means to accept responsibility for the job. I would not have had the chance to meet my husband. We've got 36 years of a marriage and he is the best thing that has happened to me...outside of Laradon Hall."
Pat P., former Laradon participant

"I admire Laradon staff. They always took such good care of my nephew. They helped him with everything he needed and wanted. I'm so thankful that they made such a nice life for him."
Lois S., aunt of Laradon participant

"I want to thank Laradon Hall for all they have done for me!"
Dennis C., Host Home participant

"They taught me how to work and they taught me how to keep a job. If it wasn't for their help I wouldn't be here today."
Hugh P., former Laradon participant