Abilities First Celebrates Education Programs in Orange County, N.Y.

Transfer from The ARC Greater Hudson Valley Avoids Programs’ Closure, Enabling Pre-School and School-Age Students to Continue Receiving Vital Services

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., Oct. 29, 2024 – Abilities First has officially commemorated the acquisition of educational programs in Middletown, N.Y., and New Windsor, N.Y., serving approximately 200 preschool and school-age students who have developmental delays or disabilities.

An outdoor ribbon-cutting on Oct. 23 showcased one of the two new Abilities First locations, the Middletown Education Center, which serves students ages 3-8 at 379 Mount Hope Road in the Town of Wallkill. That location, along with Abilities First’s Educational Learning Experience serving ages 3-21 at 930 Raz Ave. in New Windsor, previously were operated by The ARC Greater Hudson Valley. ARC, which could no longer provide services for students, continues to provide crucial services for adults at other locations.

About 50 dignitaries and supporters, as well as Abilities First students, families, and staff, heard speakers discuss the individualized and caring education provided to students. They also toured the educational facility and enjoyed refreshments. Abilities First, a nonprofit organization, provides people who face developmental challenges and their families support to attain independence, self-determination, integration, and acceptance by others through education, exploration, and experience. Abilities First is supported by the Foundation for Abilities First NY.

During his remarks, Abilities First CEO Dr. Jeffery Fox thanked The ARC Greater Hudson Valley and the New York State Education Department, as well as numerous collaborators and supporters, for a seamless transition. He said the new programs, with 130 employees, include a preschool program serving 140 children and a school-age program with 60 students ages 5 to 21. Abilities First is continuing to hire staff, he said and has slots available to serve additional children amid strong demand for such individualized educational services.

“Last spring, we were approached by The ARC Greater Hudson Valley, which needed a trusted partner to hand off these programs as they focused on their adult programs,” Fox said, noting that the preschool and school-age programs were slated for closure without Abilities First’s assumption of operations. “Our job now is to prepare these students, through specialized academic instruction, for what comes next in life, and to do so with success, pride, and achievement.”

Sandra Brownsey, Director of Early Intervention Services for the Orange County Department of Health, also addressed the crowd. “I’m so happy to be here knowing that these programs will stay open and will stay in great hands,” she said. “Families trust you to provide great services, and I know they will thrive under Abilities First.”

State Sen. James Skoufis was represented at the event by his staff’s Senior Communications Associate, Kirsten Warth. She relayed Sen. Skoufis’ congratulations and said, “These services are desperately needed in Orange County. Losing them would have been devastating. Sen. Skoufis has been a long-time advocate and will always be an ally.”

In 2023, Abilities First served 359 students from 29 Hudson Valley school districts. There were 142 graduates of its preschool program and five graduates from its high school. In 2024, not including the acquired programs, Abilities First served 368 students and had 82 preschool graduates and four high school graduates. Overall, it served 29 school districts. In the 2023-2024 school year, the former ARC programs served 184 students and graduated 48 preschool students.