The entire family especially parents are driven to despair if it was found out that their toddler is having a disability of some kind. It is commonly acknowledged by experts that the early interventions to provide the required services to such families is extremely helpful in the development of the child as well as mental wellbeing of parents. The CGC offers facilities to improve mental wellbeing of parents through psychological counselling and for maximum development of the child through the provision of multiple services. Through such services, educational and social rights of children up to 16 years are safeguarded by coordinating their services and support is extended to programmes of the Social Services Department conducted for children with disabilities.
Vision
Creating a conducive environment for children with special needs to live just as same as others maintaining interrelations with family members and community and optimally using available strengths and resources
Mission
Delighting clients by empowering parents and family members to face up to challenges with dignity, encouraging and making early interventions for the maximum development of children with special needs, acting as an intermediary in building and coordinating a service network offering services on time.
History
The Department of Social Services implemented a programme from 1994 to extend support to governmental and nongovernmental organizations scattered throughout the country for the development of early childhood of children with various disabilities in Sri Lanka under the technical cooperation of (JICA).
Training preschool teachers and creating awareness amongst parents were two major components of the programme. An opportunity was also accorded to study health, education and social welfare services launched specifically for children with disabilities in Japan with the objective of providing an improved service by minimizing shortcomings of diverse programmes implemented in Sri Lanka at the time. Consequently, a programme for early intervention to provide services to children with disabilities was introduced with the CGC as the focal point. In line with the CGC concept, it has been planned to establish CGCs in every district of the island and the first such centre was established in Maharagama in the year 2003.
Specialty of the services of the CGC
- Interventions to provide services at a very early age (from 03 months).
- Providing services to any child with physical, mental disabilities or any other special needs.
- Interventions for development of children through.
(Multi-Disciplinary Team Work) - Offering services as per special methodologies for client children.
(Individual Assessment - Progress Review) - Providing services to each child as per an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
- Referring to preschools and formal school system after developing basic skills.
- Focusing primary attention on the development of day-to-day life skills.
- Providing post care services for children referred to preschools and formal education.
- Services being rendered by trained staff with requisite qualifications and experience.
- Adopting a holistic approach which pays attention to all stakeholders. (Client Children/Parents/Family Members/Community etc)
Services Provided
- For children with special needs.
- Educational services.
- Rehabilitation services (Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy)
- Individual and group classes.
- Aesthetic training classes such as music, dancing and band.
- Training for national level programmes.
- Referring to preschools/formal schools.
- Health clinics.
- Get-togethers.
- Classes for children with multiple disabilities.
- Post care services up to 16 years for children referred to preschools and formal schools.
- Holding monthly birthday parties.
- For parents and family members.
- Psychological/counselling services for mental development.
- Health educational service programmes.
- Religious programmes.
- Sil and meditation programmes.
- Christmas celebrations.
- Pilgrimages to prominent places of worship.
- Educational tours and picnics.
- Conducting internal and external programmes under nature therapy academy.
- Programmes for brothers and sisters of families.
- Programmes for the Community.
- Preschool teacher training
- Expansion of Child Guidance Centres to other districts
- Creating awareness for staff members of governmental and nongovernmental organizations
- Making information and services available to local and foreign professionals
- Contribution to the formulation of state policies
Route
To reach the centre, travel along the Maharagama-Nugegoda bus route 119, passing Ayurveda Centre and proceed 500 meters along Pathiragoda Road and another 100 meters along Samaja Road and it is located at Wela Road.
- Superintendent,
Child Guidance Centre,
No. 11, Wela Road, Maharagama - +94 112 746 801
- -
- cgcmaharagama[at]gmail.com