CARE Links
About CARE
Pediatric Therapy Services
Family Support Program
Rainbow Corner Preschool
Memorials & Giving
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CARE News
CARE Recreation News
Annual Report
To learn more about our programs or services, please contact us at: CARE for Children PO BOX 616 20 Russell Boulevard Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362-4621
Programs & Services
CARE for Children provides a range of
services and programs for the children and families we serve.
Check the rec news link and the CARE News Link for the most up-to-date information on programs and special events.
Follow the links below to learn about
CARE's programs and services.
CARE Services
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Our physical and occupational therapists work one-on-one with children, in a school based setting or in CARE's outpatient clinic for medically based therapy.
If you are interested in learning more about CARE's Pediatric Therapy Services,
visit the Pediatric Therapy page.
The Family Support Program provides services and supports for families with a child with special health care needs. For more information
visit the Family Support Program Page.
CARE for Children is an Early Intervention provider for children 0-3. Physical and Occupational Therapy, as well as Special Instruction are provided after referral from the County Early Intervention System.
For more information visit the Pediatric Therapy Page.
Located at 20 Russell Boulevard, the Rainbow Corner Preschool provides early childhood education for
children aged 3-5. The preschool is licensed by the Department of Education. To learn more about our preschool
program, visit the Rainbow Corner Preschool Page.
Shriners Hospital Orthopedic Clinics
A team of orthopedic specialists from Shriners Hospital for Children (Erie,PA) provide free examinations, consultation and treatment at their bimonthly clinic at the CARE office.
Over 200 children are treated annually at the clinics.
In 2005 the CVS/pharmacy Charitable Trust funded CARE's Telemedicine Clinic. CARE is equipped to do remote exams with Shriners Hospital.
A physician or healh care professional's referral is required for examination at the clinic.
Members of the McKean County Shrine Club provide free transportation to the clinic and the hospital when necessary.
Please contact CARE for more information.
CARE for Children is the lead agency for Safe Kids McKean, part of Safe Kids Pennsylvania.
For more information please visit the Safe Kids McKean Page.
CARE for Children conducts disability awareness workshops and presentations for area schools, and civic and professional groups CARE's school age disability awareness program aims to promote peer acceptance for children with physical and developmental disabilities. CARE's community-based Disability Awareness Program aims to raise awareness of the agency's mission and to promote tolerance for children and adults of all abilities.
Brace and wheelchair clinics are held several times a year for families to have
equipment repaired and/or receive consultative services.
Pediatric Equipment Loan
CARE has durable pediatric medical equipment and assistive devices for loan for families in need.
Physician's prescription or recommendation is required.
Adaptive Toy & Book Lending Library
The Bradford Kiwanis Club 2000 Young Children Priority One Grant enabled
CARE to establish a library with books and educational toys geared towards
children with special needs. Parents may check out items for their children.
Therapeutic Recreation & Respite
For complete and up-to-date rec programming please check out
CARE Recreation News
The MIGHTY BLAZE Sled Hockey TEAM and Family Skate Nights
CARE's Sled Hockey program is endorsed by USA Hockey and USA Sledge Hockey.
Sled Hockey is an alternative sport for players with lower mobility limitations.
Therapeutic benefits include cardio-vascular fitness, enhanced flexibility,
coordination, endurance, and trunk control. Players also gain
confidence and self esteem while practicing sportsmanship and fair play.
Equipment is adapted to fit each player's abilities.
CARE hosts hockey and skate nights during the winter months at the Callahan Park Ice Rink in Bradford.
Aquabilities is an adaptive aquatics program which allows children (age 6 months to 21 years of age) to participate
in pool recreation and therapy. Directed by a therapist and swimming instructor, Aquabilities
is held at the YMCA and Pitt-Bradford during CARE Kid Fitness sessions several times throughout the year. Please check the latest rec news letter
or with your child's therapist for upcoming dates.
CARE hosts an annual adaptive golf clinic at Pine Acres Country Club in the summer.
Kids receive professional instruction on the driving range, putting greens, and then play a hole on the course. Lunch follows the outing
and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bradford.
Holiday Valley Adaptive Ski Clinic
In conjuntion with the Holiday Valley Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program, CARE for Children offered a
one-day ski clinic for children with disabilities. Using bi-skis, tri skis, and other adaptive equipment
the kids challenge the slopes. The 2007 Ski Clinic was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Port Allegany.
Elusive Riders, a valued CARE for Children partner, is a summer horseback riding program, the use of horses facilitates therapeutic benefits for children
with disabilities and developmental delays, the program is run inconjunction
with the McKean County 4-H Club.
Through the generosity of the Orak Grotto, CARE is able to provide camperships for CARE kids to attend Summer
Camp. Children with disabilities and their siblings swim, ride in canoes, play games,
sing fireside songs, and enjoy time away from home. Camp gives children the opportunity to participate in
recreational activities within an adaptive, integrated and accessible environment. CARE also sponsors a week-long day camp
in partnership with the Bradford Family YMCA during the summer for CARE kids.
With the generous support of HIGHMARK Blue Cross Blue Shield and community partners the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
and the Bradford Family YMCA CARE for Children has established a CARE Kid Fitness Program to promote lifelong fitness for children of
all abilities.
TEAM Jeep Trail Rides
Members of the Elk Lick Trail Team (TEAM Jeep members that maintain the trails at Elk Lick Scout Reserve)
take CARE kids on an exciting and scenic Jeep Ride through the beautiful Elk Lick Reserve.
All the Jamboree drivers are certified Jeep off-road drivers.
Kids enjoy the spectacular wildlife along the way and then have lunch in the main lodge.
Lady Panther Basketball Basketball Mini Camp
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Lady Panthers host an annual basketball camp for kids with disabilities.
Kids learn to dribble, pass, shoot and the basics of the game. The Lady Panthers work one-on-one with the children offering their
expertise and their friendship. The 2007 Camp was sponsored by the Lady Panthers and the Rotary Club of Bradford.
The Occupational Therapy Staff periodically sponsors activities to assist and/or improve fine motor development. Past programs have included
'Build-a-Friend', Water Color, CARE Kids Cook, Craft Night and Graham's Greenhouse Night.
Recreation Clinics
CARE's Clinics provide an introduction to adaptive sports and recreation. Including adaptive bowling, karate kids, adaptive baseball, t-ball, and
other sports.
Special Events
KIDS HELPING KIDS!!! The CARE Kid Fundraiser is an annualfamily event to raise money for CARE's community outreach services including
family support, disability awareness, therapeutic recreation and Safe Kids McKean. Past events have included Walk, Rock and Roll (walk-a-thon)
and Rock, Roll and Bowl (bowl-a-thon).
CARE 'fore' Children Annual Golf Tournament
Pine Acres Country Club hosts the CARE 'fore' Children Golf Four Person Scramble the first Sunday in August.
Each year the tournament raises close to $10,000 in sponsorships to support CARE's vital services and programs for children.
Please contact CARE for Children for a sponsorship form or Kirk Stauffer, PGA Pro, at Pine Acres to register your foursome.
Each December an anonymous donor sponsors the CARE for Children Holiday Movie Celebration.
Bradford's Main Street Movie House, Dipson Theatre along with local businesses help with the cost of popcorn, drinks, and favors for the holiday treat.
Each year over 225 CARE kids and family members attend this great event!
Kinzua Outdoors Fishing Tournament
The annual Kinzua Outdoors Fishing Tournament began in August of 2003. Each year Tom Means and his committee raise money from the
tournaments to sponsor CARE therapeutic recreation programs and purchase much needed equipment.
Let's Ride for Special Kids Dice Run
Charlie's Cycle Center in Limestone, NY partners with Byllye Lanes Bowling Center and area restaurants and bars to sponsor a dice run
to benefit services and programs for children with disabilities. CARE for Children is proud to be a recipient of this event.
This year's run will be held Saturday, August 25th, 2007 and there is also a drawing for a Suzuki C-50 bike to support the run.
For more information please contact CARE for Children or Charlie's Cycle Center.
Volunteers
For many of CARE's programs and services, volunteers are essential.
If you are interested in volunteering for CARE for Children or to learn how you can help, please contact us.
Email
STREET HOCKEY
Through a generous donation from the Donald B. Shaw Charitable Trust,
CARE purchased wheels so that the sleds could be used in the summer for
street hockey and for open skate at the Roller Rink.
Thank you to the following Sled Sponsors:
American Legion Post #108 (2001) 3 Sleds
McKean County Shrine Club(2001) 3 Sleds
Blaisdell Foundation(2001)
Ed Kuser, in memory of Wife Alice Kuser(2001)
Hoagies, Ellicottville, New York(2002)
In Memory of Donald B. Shaw (2002)
Larry McClanahan, in Honor of his Son, Michael(2002)
Kinzua Outdoors Fishing Tournament, Tom Means Director (2003)
Port Allegany Rotary Club (2003)
Special Thanks to the City of Bradford for the donation of ice time.
Volunteer Opportunities
Questions? Comments?
CARE