How we are reacting to COVID-19 (coronavirus)

Update Thursday, March 19, 2020

Abilities First continues to keep the health and safety of those we serve, our employees and their families our top priority. As we follow the updates, recommendations and directives of the CDC, Department of Health and Ohio's Governor diligently, we have worked to minimize health & safety risks while continuing to provide programming. Having children with differing abilities and children developing typically in our programs, we have seen many more families choosing to keep their children at home, especially as many live with chronic health conditions and compromised immune systems. 

Given the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and definite signals from the Governor that childcare centers will be directed to close soon as part of more stringent social distancing efforts needed to "flatten the curve," we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations and close our facility. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, as we know it will create a challenge for some families and for our agency. We will continue to monitor the evolving situation, and hope to be able to resume services in the not too distant future.

Our Early Childhood & Autism Learning Centers will close at the end of programming on Thursday March 19, 2020, and our Outpatient Pediatric Therapy Service at noon on Friday March 20, 2020.

With operations suspended, we have the opportunity to evaluate & strategize to be better prepared for what will be a "new normal" for all of us when our services resume, as well as thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the facility.

Thank you for your continued support of Abilities First and for trusting us with your children and to support you. We look forward to seeing you all again soon. We will continue to communicate with you, our valued families and with our employees.

Check our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/abilities1stOH/ and website, https://www.abilitiesfirst.org/ for updates. If you have questions or concerns with which we may be able to assist, after Friday March 20, 2020 until we reopen, feel free to email us at our general email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. someone will respond within 48 hours.

Please stay safe and healthy; we will get through these challenging times. Do not forget to practice self-care as you look out for your children, families, friends and neighbors. Know we will be here to continue to provide quality services to you and your children. 

More to come.
Sincerely
Jan Sutcliffe-Brown
Executive Director

Updated Monday, March 16, 2020

In line with the information we received from a state briefing on March 13, 2020 Abilities First programs are open Monday March 16, 2020. However, we are very aware that this situation is changing rapidly and we must put the health and safety of all children, young adults, families we serve and our employees as the highest priority.

From Monday, we will be meeting you in the front lobby for ECLC & ALC to check in with you and take your child’s temperature before you leave and a staff member takes your child to the classroom. We will also ask you to pick up in the front lobby. We request therapy families come to the therapy ramp, ring the doorbell and a staff member will admit you.

If you, a family member, or child are at all unwell, or you suspect you may have had contact with someone with the novel Coronavirus please do not come to the facility. In addition, if you simply want to keep your children home please do so; just call to let us know.

Please know we understand that if we close our programs it will be a hardship for many of you and for that reason have remained hopeful that it may not come to that. However, given the identified need for slowing the spread of this virus through social distancing and the most recent directives from the Governor and Department of Health, this may be necessary. In light of this, we respectfully recommend that you begin to look at alternative arrangements for your children in the event we need to close.

We are keeping abreast of the most current information, and strategizing about how we can keep everyone safe & healthy as we all deal with this new situation. We will continue to keep you informed.

Thank you

Children with disabilities should have the opportunity to achieve their unique potential and have an extraordinary quality of life. 

VISION STATEMENT
Children and adults of all abilities living their best possible lives.
MISSION STATEMENT
Abilities First empowers individuals and families living with differing abilities to discover and to fulfill their unique potential within their communities.
CORE VALUES
Adaptable; Compassionate; Empathetic; Ethical; Passionate; Respectful; Supportive; Trustworthy

Founded in 1958, Abilities First is a non-profit organization located in Middletown, Ohio, that serves children with a wide range of developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, language and cognitive impairments. 

With a continuum of programming from birth through many phases of life, Abilities First is Southwest Ohio's only direct service agency for individuals with disabilities that provides a diverse range of services:

• Autism Learning Center 
• Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy
• Inclusive Early Childhood Learning Center
• Family Advocate

Transforming the lives of children with disabilities impacting families, communities and businesses in Butler, Warren, Hamilton, Montgomery, Preble, Greene and Clark counties in Ohio.

Abilities First empowers individuals and families living with differing abilities to discover and to fulfill their unique potential within their communities.