Senator George Latimer Visits John A. Coleman School and Children’s Rehabiliation Center

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Dec. 20, 2013 - PRLog -- On Wednesday, December 11, 2013, Sen. George Latimer (D-N.Y.), visited the White Plains campus of the John A. Coleman School (JAC) and the Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC). The senator’s visit was sponsored by the Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc.

Latimer began his morning with an informal ‘meet and greet’ reception with parents and staff members. Each parent took this opportunity to share their individual child’s story with the senator and describe the immeasurable impact that both the JAC and the CRC have had on their lives.

Following this, staff members, including Maureen Tomkiel, Executive Director of the JAC, and Maria Leitenberger, Principal of the White Plains campus of the JAC, took the senator on a tour of the school.  “Clearly the Coleman School is providing essential services for children with very severe disabilities,” Latimer said. “I was impressed by what I saw – not the least of which was the complete dedication to serving the needs of these children,” he added.

Latimer, himself, proved to be dedicated to the children of the John A. Coleman School, as well. After his tour of the school, the senator sat down to read a story to the children of Daniella Janniello’s classroom titled, Santa’s Noisy Night, by Julie Sykes. “The senator was so active and lively in the way he engaged the children in the story,” said Janniello. “The kids didn’t want it to end!”

Before his departure, Latimer also toured the Children’s Rehabilitation Center with staff, including the CRC’s Medical Director, Dr. Maria A. Pici.

Latimer was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the 37th District in November of 2012. The 37th District is comprised of Bedford, Bronxville, Eastchester, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Rye, Rye Brook, Tuckahoe, White Plains and Yonkers.

About the John A. Coleman School

The John A. Coleman School, with campuses in White Plains and Yonkers, provides community and center-based special education and therapeutic programs to children from birth to 21 years of age from over 50 school districts in Westchester, Putnam, the Bronx and Manhattan.  The Yonkers Campus serves the residents of the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, a nationally recognized pediatric long term care facility. The Coleman School has been recognized for the last six years as a School of Excellence by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) and is regionally known for its comprehensive evaluation component, early intervention services and inclusive nursery school, Children’s Place.  The Coleman School serves over 900 children and their families.  Learn more about the John A. Coleman School at setonpediatric.org/john-coleman-school and find us on Facebook at facebook.com/jacschool.

About the Children’s Rehabilitation Center

The Children’s Rehabilitation Center, Inc. is an outpatient pediatric diagnostic and treatment center providing services to nearly 4,000 children with developmental disabilities annually, ages birth to 21, who reside in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Duchess and Orange Counties and the Bronx. Comprehensive arrays of medical and rehabilitative services are provided to children with complex medical diagnoses. Many of our children use wheelchairs, walkers and/or communication devices.  Visit the Children’s Rehabilitation Center online at setonpediatric.org/childrens-rehabilitation-center and find us on Facebook at facebook.com/childrensrehabcenter.