Looking back on this integrated Day Care and support services for primary students with special education needs (SEN), it is regarded as comprehensive and targeted. This service includes one-stop care and holistic development, inter-disciplinary early intervention, support for children and parents and network building. In the 2022-23 annual survey, satisfaction level of each score reaches 98%. This plan effectively improves the abilities and performances of SEN children in various aspects. It realizes their potential, promotes parent-child relationship and relieves the pressure of caregivers.
Evangel Children’s Home (ECH) has been committed to providing child care for “high-risk” families and preventing problems from worsening. Looking back at the beginning of the Millennium, this service was in high demand. If the assisted families could receive appropriate community support, there will be high chance avoiding their children to be admitted to residential service. Such scarce capacity could be reserved for more “high-risk” families. Thus this non-government-funded day care service came into being and became a pioneer in the sector.
Original Aspiration of the Service
Initially, Day Care service took care of primary students from grassroots, single parents or newcomers to HK. Some parents had to work long hours or on shifts, leading to lack of care for their children. This service responded to these needs by operating extra-long time – 365 days a year from 8am to 10pm. Parents could work with peace of mind when their children were properly cared for. The center also provides parent seminars, support and counseling which strengthen family effectiveness and help these families to help themselves. This service achieved remarkable results and the demand was ever-increasing until 2015 when the Social Welfare Department provided Enhanced After-school Care Program in various districts.
Service Change for SEN Children
At that time, many children admitted to our residential home or Day Care service were diagnosed with Special Education Needs (SEN). It then prompted our services to finetune. Since general community care service may not provide professional care for SEN children, if the situation is not properly handled, it may lead to family crisis. In 2018, we developed a comprehensive service of “S.E.N. – Shine· Empower· Network” which takes care of SEN primary students and supports their families. We are grateful for the continuous support and matching donations from the business sector and the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged. The 3 year pandemic did not interrupt this service. With the addition of a Sensory Integration room in 2022, we hope that the business sector can donate again and join hands in this charitable deed. Let us move forward from S.E.N. 2.0 to 3.0 and serve more families in need.
Parents’ Responses to S.E.N. 2.0 Survey
*Parent 1: “S.E.N. 2.0 allows children to develop comprehensively both physically and mentally. Classes such as social skills, speech and sensory integration enhance children’s communication skills, stabilize emotions and they become happier.”
*Parent 2: “In the past, I used to struggle with my son for his homework and self-care. After participating in SEN 2.0, he can finish homework by segment in time, automatically and consciously tidy up his bed and clothes, take meals and clean up by himself. My family is more harmonious now.”
*Parent 3: “In addition to daily life training, children can study intensively in a safe environment. The after-school activities here allow them to broaden knowledge, strengthen self-confidence, interact with others, connect and collaborate. The Bible class teaches them to have empathy and accept each other. Parent workshops help relieves parenting stress.”
*Parent 4: “Training a few days in a week effectively improved the children’s discipline, perseverance and persistence. Thanks to the tutors who answered parents’ questions like friends and saved the whole family from difficult situations. I hope there will be extended services for SEN children who progress to secondary school.
Overcoming Life’s Greatest Difficulties with Daniel’s Family
Primary student Daniel’s mother needed cancer treatment. Daniel’s father could not spare the needed time to take care of him. Fortunately, they learnt about ECH Day Care services for children. ECH considered their emergency situation and referred Day Care service for Daniel to cope with his homework and extended meal arrangements. Daniel’s mother thanked ECH for the quick support to solve the family’s urgent needs. Under the care of ECH, Daniel is grateful to the service and cherishes his beloved family and friends.
Daniel’s family presented testimony in ECH Thanksgiving Worship
We are family focused, children oriented, and community-based. Through Day Care services, we support SEN children and family caregivers in an all-rounded way and strengthen family effectiveness. Families with difficulties derive various parent-child and parenting issues, in addition SEN children have special learning needs, their difficulties are indescribable. The support from all parties motivates us to move forward to S.E.N. 3.0
