Board asked to support S.A.S.H.

by Larry Austin
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 15, 2005

Language and Culture teacher Betsy Bissell's students from the Tuscarora Elementary School performed songs from their curriculum for the Niagara Wheatfield Board of Education during the board's meeting on Dec. 7. (Photo by Larry Austin)

A parent of a handicapped child asked the Niagara Wheatfield Board of Education for their support in saving a program for handicapped preschool children.

During the board’s Dec. 7 meeting, Lisa Insalaco of Irish Road in Pendleton, a member of Save our S.A.S.H. , told the board of the phasing out of a public preschool program that benefits children like her daughter Emily.

S.A.S.H. , which stands for Seek And Serve the Handicapped, serves children ages three to five who have special needs, such as mental retardation, multiple disabilities, visual or hearing impairments, and autism. The program is offered through Niagara-Orleans BOCES, Insalaco said, but is being phased out.

S.A.S.H. provided support and instruction after her daughter had a SIDS episode that left her blind and mentally handicapped, Insalaco said.

“I would like other children like her to have the same opportunities she’s had,” Insalaco told the board.

The problem stems from a lack of state funding. While schools receive aid every year from the state, the S.A.S.H. program receives aid every few years. Costs have exceeded aid, causing a deficit at BOCES, but a bill in the state legislature would fund these programs on a yearly basis rather than once every few years, Insalaco said.

She asked the board to write a letter of support for funding for preschool handicapped education to state Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte and state Sen. George Maziarz.