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The Project
PEP’s Creating a Spectrum of Hope campaign is an $8 million project to:
- Provide adequate space and support best practices for children served at PEP Prentiss Autism Center (formerly PEP Harbor).
- Create the ability for PEP to be a conduit of knowledge-transfer and knowledge production in support of all children with autism spectrum disorder.
PEP recently purchased a 33,000 square foot office building in Fairview Park to become the new PEP Prentiss Autism Center facility. The building is on one floor (critical to our students with multiple special needs), located in a mixed-use residential neighborhood and has adequate parking for staff and visitors. It sits on over three acres of land nestled against the Cleveland Metroparks and is easily accessible from highways.
Working with a local architect, we have created a LEED certified design that will utilize important environmental strategies while creating a safe, secure space that fosters learning and growth within PEP students, their families and staff. The new space will also create a training facility that will help further educate and train those dedicated professionals working every day to improve the lives of those touched by autism.
The Need
Growth, best practice and collaboration underscore the need for a new facility.
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Growth:
Currently 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism, and according to Autism Speaks, government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually. With the number of children with autism on the rise, so is enrollment at PEP Prentiss. In the last five years, the census at the former PEP Harbor facility had grown by nearly 50%. The program had outgrown its space and had no room for expansion or growth. A new facility was necessary to best meet the needs of this special population.
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Best Practice: Every day, we are learning more about autism and how to support and educate children with this disorder. Today, as a result of best practices, research and evaluation of services, we know we must have safe outdoor green space, more room for one-on-one instruction and larger classrooms; features not readily accessible in our current space.
- Collaboration: Most significantly, PEP realizes that the majority of children with autism are served by the school districts. Because of our strong relationship with districts, PEP recognizes an opportunity to bring together professionals from our community to share expertise through both direct service and knowledge-transfer aimed at raising the competencies of peer professionals and improving service for countless children with autism. A new building to support collaboration between schools, families, other providers and institutions of higher learning is critical to creating this unique learning environment.
Improved Programming
A building designed specifically for our special population will enhance programming for PEP Prentiss and allow our staff to continue providing the highest quality care.
- Adequate Classroom Size and Diverse Learning Spaces
A lower school and an upper school will separate students by age and allow for the creation of space and resources for each groups’ distinct functional needs. Adequate classroom size and diverse spaces will allow staff to implement various curricula and support direct observation training opportunities. Numerous small rooms will be created for individual and group instruction, sensory stimulation, life skills lessons and therapeutic arts curriculum.
- Space for Physical Activity
Space designated for physical and occupational therapy will provide staff and students a safe place to improve gross and fine motor skills. A gym, adjoining alcove rooms and safe green space will accommodate movement and the occupational therapy activities fundamental to the physical, mental and emotional growth of students.
- Peaceful Environment
The building will set students, staff and families at ease, inspiring confidence and a sense of safety. Because of students’ extreme sensory sensitivities, the building will be designed to maximize natural lighting, providing a calming environment for students. Sound barriers will be installed to minimize extraneous noise that can be distracting to children with autism.
- Administrative Ease
Administrative efficiencies will be enhanced. Centrally-located administrative offices will be easily accessible by the upper and lower schools, as well as parents and visitors. Offices for administrators who provide direct support to classrooms will be housed within each of the schools. Large and small conference rooms will create quiet, professional environments that support collaboration with professional partners and families aimed at integrating the best interventions for each child.
- Flexibility and Growth
Demand for PEP Prentiss services continues to increase, so the building plans anticipate the likelihood of expansion. Two extra classrooms are included in the designs to allow for future growth. Creating flexible-use spaces leverages the available square footage and increases learning opportunities for students, families and professionals. When not in use by students, the building can be utilized for parent trainings and conferences that can take advantage of the many adaptable spaces.
Collaboration, Research & Training
With its new, cutting edge training space, PEP will serve as a conduit for knowledge-transfer and knowledge production for local autism authorities and experts. By collaborating with school districts, universities, hospitals and other autism service providers, PEP will support training and research that will enhance the capabilities of countless professionals working directly with children with autism throughout our community.
A large training center equipped with state-of-the-art technology will provide for unique educational and research opportunities. The space will allow training participants to observe classroom techniques and methodologies in real time through video conferencing with classrooms located in the building. It will allow for distance learning opportunities, linking professionals from across town and around the globe.
This new training facility will be utilized not only by peer professionals, but also to provide continuing education and collaboration with parents. It will create opportunities for parents to enhance their competencies and learn new techniques to be transferred from the classroom to the home.