Mission
Our Mission
To work in partnership with families and communities to enable children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disabilities to lead meaningful lives.
Our Values
By working with families and communities, we help enable children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead full, meaningful lives that include a chance to work and contribute. Everyone has valuable talents and abilities. And everyone matters. We seek to transform the way communities and societies understand, relate to, and support citizens with developmental disabilities. By honoring diversity in values, heritages, abilities, and interests, we help to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Board Members
Members of The Board of Directors of the SHIELD OF DAVID, INC.
Laurie Sprayregen
Lori Reinsberg
President
Connie Schraft
Vice President
Toni Bernstein
Anita Friedman
Kevin R Genirs
Tim Genirs
Jose Nunez
Aroza Sanjana
Louise Young
Staff Development
Staff development is an integral component of all Shield Institute programs. Our professional team provides support and direction for mandated trainings and staff workshops that highlight best practices in the field. This highly capable team of professionals has advance training in CPR, First Aid, SCIP-R and HIPAA regulations.
Staff development provides the backbone of professional development at The Shield. Evidenced based practices are supported through a variety of hands on activities in collaboration with program directors and principals. Teachers and therapists benefit from in depth discussion, exploration and demonstration of technology and curricula.
Corporate Compliance
The Shield Institute complies with all federal, state and city mandates regarding consumer and student privacy and billing regulations. To make a confidential (or anonymous) complaint, our toll free compliance helpline is 877-547-6402 or email: complianceofficer@shield.org
Corporate Compliance Contact Information
Corporate Compliance Vendor Guidelines
Shield Institute Code of Ethical Conduct
Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)
NY Electronic Postings Law
Preschool Services
With locations in the Bronx and Flushing, the preschool program is funded and approved through the New York State Education Department and the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE). Children must be determined eligible to attend our school based on approval from the NYCDOE. Our classrooms are guided by developmentally appropriate instruction through active engagement to build self-esteem and pre-academic skills needed for success in kindergarten.Self contained classrooms (with 8 or 12 children; all with special needs) provide structured teaching and aided language for children who are developmentally delayed or display characteristics on the autistic spectrum. These highly structured classrooms are led by a certified special education teacher and have one or two teacher assistants available to continually engage and encourage children to participate in the full range of offered activities. Our related service staff of licensed speech, physical and occupational therapists provide mandated services in the classroom or in therapy rooms. Social work, parent programs and psychological services are included in our comprehensive program offerings.
In our integrated class we provide an opportunity for children with special needs to learn and play with typically developing children, in a guided and supported setting. Each class has 18 children (9 typically developing and 9 with special needs) and is staffed by a certified special education teacher and two certified teacher assistants.
Preschool Evaluation Program
The Shield provides multidisciplinary evaluations to children ages 3 – 5 years in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean by New York State licensed therapists and certified teachers. Evaluations are provided, at no cost to families for children with suspected developmental delays. The evaluation program is funded through the New York State Education Department and prior approval from the NYC Department of Education is required. If you are concerned about your child’s development or language and/or social skills, please call our evaluation coordinators who can assist you with contacting your local school district to obtain consent for evaluation.
• Flushing: 718-939-8700 ext. 1141
• Bronx: 718-299-7600 ext. ext. 3252
Click on the link below for the New York City Department of Education’s website to find your district office. http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/SpecialEducation/ContactsResources/cse.htm
Parent Training Program
The Shield Institute is a recipient of a special NYC council grant to support and provide important programs for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the families who guide them. Since the grant’s inception in 2008, The Shield Institute operates Parent Training/Support Programs 12 months a year for families.
For Samantha Ko and other parents of children with autism and developmental disabilities, the citywide autism initiative means they receive much-needed parenting workshops about how to care for their children, as well as essential after-school and respite services.
“I went to parenting workshops at the Shield Institute, and it made a big impact on my life,” said Ko, a mother of a 4-year-old son who has pervasive developmental disorders and speech delays. “I understand what I can do as a parent to help my child.”