Center will grow to meet increased population need

Milford — Having outgrown their old digs on Broad Street, the not-for-profit Center for Developmental Disabilities is looking forward to a move this spring to a more accommodating space: the former Pennstar Bank building on US Route 6/209. Construction is already underway, and CDD Executive Director Ann Guillerlane says if all goes as planned, the move will be made in May. The need, she explained, was precipitated by the substantial growth seen in Pike County. “In addition to the large increase in population, there are better tools to identify children with various needs, and better advocacy laws for children with disabilities, so more people are taking advantage of our services,” Gillerlane says. “We’ve been looking for a long time, recognizing the need to move.” The center provides services to children with a wide array of developmental delays and disabilities up to kindergarten age, about 5 years-old. On average, about 200 families a year use the CDD’s services. The new building will have space for an additional classroom and will accommodate up to 50 children, from the current 30. The organization also offers a Head Start program and a pre-K program to serve young children who are developing typically. Realizing the move was necessary to maintain the integrity of the program, Gillerlane nonetheless has no financial illusions: “We’ll be doing a lot of fundraising for a long time,” she noted. How to help To make a donation or to get more information, contact: The Center for Developmental Disabilities of Pike County 221 Broad Street Milford, PA 18337 or call 570-296-3993