Our Mission

Eliminate Barriers
to Growth
and Development

Our mission is to provide therapeutic and educational services for children of all abilities and their families, working with each child to develop to his or her full potential. We try to eliminate barriers to growth and development for children with disabilities and families coping with health issues and challenges.

Our goals include providing parents and caregivers of infants and children ages birth to 8 years with therapies and education for their child or children that have special needs due to birth complications, genetic abnormalities, abuse, neglect or accident trauma. These substantial disabilities may be due to low birth weight, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or other neurological conditions.

The Center places children on a path leading to achievement by providing support services so that children of all abilities may remain in a secure environment, teaching parents and caregivers to be successful advocates for children, working to transition children to settings beyond our classrooms, and educating public organizations on how to provide continued community based support for children with and without special needs.

2012-2013 Board of Directors

Chairman
Brian Latina

Vice Chairman
Kelly Gilbert

Treasurer
John DeCourcy

Clerk
Janice Burkholder

Directors
Linda Borland                                                    
Julie Palmacio, Esq.

Matthew Remis

John Roberts
William Schofield

Our Staff

We employ more than 85 professionals in our Lawrence and Andover offices. A majority of staff members have been with us for 10 years or longer. This dedicated group of individuals makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the kids and families throughout the region. Our staff includes:

• Developmental Educators
• Certified Special Education Teachers
• Registered Nurses
• Physical & Occupational Therapists
• Speech & Language Pathologists
• Nutritionists
• A Developmental Pediatrician
• Bilingual Support Staff
• Licensed Social Workers
   

Our staff is trained to serve children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, varying metabolic disorders, autism, and many other conditions, and equipped to assist children who need feeding tubes, and have had tracheotomies and seizures. We continue to make strides in equipping classrooms with "kid friendly" and adaptive equipment and developmental toys, and to serve an ever-growing population of children of all abilities, including those with complex needs, throughout the North Shore of Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.
 

Our History: 40 Years of Caring, Service and Dedication

The Professional Center for Child Development was founded in 1973 as a private nursery school for disabled children. The program grew into a licensed chapter 766 school dedicated to teaching and caring for children born with severely disabling conditions or coping with behavioral issues. The Center added an Early Intervention (EI) Program in 1978 to provide outreach and education for infants and toddlers throughout the Merrimack Valley. In 1986, The Center moved to its current location in Andover, and in 1994 it opened a second location at 130 Parker Street in Lawrence. Additional programs and services have been added to include children of all abilities, such as the Two-by-Two Toddler and Preschool classes, unique programs that promote independence and acceptance by including community children alongside EI and Developmental Day School students. In 2001, our Regional Consultation Program opened. This program provides consultation and support to families, other EI programs, and child care providers. PCCD now serves over 1,400 children and their families annually, including families from Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

About Us