FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Laurie BursteinTelephone: (314) 962-6059E-mail: lburstein@miriamstl.org

Miriam Learning Center Announces Approval of Children’s Service Fund Proposal

Miriam To Provide Diagnostic Testing and Treatment Services to Disadvantaged Children with Learning Disabilities from South

County

Webster Groves, MO (October 24, 2014) – Miriam: The Learning Disability Experts is pleased to announce that The Board of Directors of the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund approved Miriam’s proposal for funding. Miriam’s program will provide early childhood mental health screenings at no cost to 100 children who attend preschools/childcare centers or who live in 63125 and 63088 zip codes primarily in South County and are at risk due to symptoms related to potential learning disabilities.  The two zip codes identified for the project are areas the Children’s Service Fund targeted for priority funding based on the concentration of youth poverty.

Children can also receive comprehensive diagnostic testing to identify disabilities and consultative interventions at the child’s school to improve behaviors/performance.  The program was allocated up to $156,000 in fees for services for the next year. Services will begin January 1, 2015 and will continue for one year, with the potential for the program to be renewed. Miriam is a comprehensive resource for children who have learning challenges. 

Miriam’s services include a full day special education school and a Learning Center that provides diagnostics, therapies, tutoring, social skills training, adaptive enrichment, and counseling within Charter and private/parochial

schools or through an after school program located at the Miriam School.  Last year over 550 children received services through Miriam.

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According to Miriam Learning Center Director Beth Rose, ‘We are very pleased to partner with the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund to reach pre-school age children primarily in Lemay and Fenton, and to reach a large Bosnian community in particular. Miriam is proud to continue to meet the needs of young children with a variety of learning disabilities in underserved areas with our innovative programs,” Rose said.

Founded in 2007, The Miriam Learning Center annually serves more than 450 children who reside in 70 different zip codes throughout the St. Louis region with diagnostic, educational and therapeutic support services.

The St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund supports agencies through tax-based dollars to provide free mental health services for children who reside in St. Louis County. (www.keepingkidsfirst.org).

About Miriam:

Miriam: The Learning Disability Experts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Webster Groves, MO, that is committed to improving the quality of life for children with learning disabilities and their families through our two innovative and comprehensive programs: Miriam School and Miriam Learning Center. Miriam serves over 650 children, ages 3-18, in the St. Louis region who struggle with complex learning disabilities. The Miriam Scholarship Campaign annually provides more than $700,000 in need-based tuition assistance to Miriam School and Miriam Learning Center students and families.

Learn more about Miriam: The Learning Disability Experts by visiting www.miriamstl.org. or calling 314-962-6059.

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