Name of Site: Lincoln Developmental Center

Contact Person: Lisa Merritt, Principal

Address: 862 Crahen Road, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Phone: (616) 819-2750

Fax: (616) 819-2748

Email Address: merrittl@grps.k12.mi.us

Designation date as MOVE Model Site: April 20, 2007

MOVE International Trainers:

Jennifer Murchison, Speech Therapist
Cathy Ripmaster, Physical Therapist

Description of site:

Lincoln Developmental Center (LDC) is a center-based program operated by the Grand Rapids Public Schools. LDC services approximately 120 students with Severe Multiple Impairments (SXI) and those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from all twenty school districts within Kent County.

Number of students using the MOVE Program: 26

Age range of students: 5-26

Number of classrooms using the MOVE Program: 11

Students/staff ratio: 3/1

Other notes of interest:

LDC has a staff comprised of teachers, non-certified teachers/childcare workers, physical, occupational and speech therapists, registered and licensed practical nurses, a psychologist, a social worker, a music therapist, an art consultant, a visual consultant, a mobility orientation consultant, a water safety instructor, and a program coordinator.

At LDC each student has an individualized program with goals and objectives that are developed through a collaborative effort between parents, classroom staff, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist and any other appropriate ancillary staff. These goals and objectives are worked on in functional and integrated situations in the classroom, in the community and during various other activities throughout the school day.

Students in the MOVE Program work on objectives in five areas: gross motor, fine motor, communication, social behavior, and cognitive areas, while involved in functional activities throughout the day. For example, during a group activity (art, music, games, stories, or cooking), students work on skills such as head control, trunk control, sitting, standing, walking, transfers, grasping, reaching, choice making, turn taking, following directions, attending, using adaptive communication, and appropriate behavior. They also work on skills in these five areas during other functional activities such as running errands, community outings and self-care.

Facilities at LDC include a therapy pool, multi-sensory room, gross motor area, computer lab, nature trails, covered picnic area, and adaptive outdoor play area.

Services are also provided by the following: Mary Free Bed Hospital Orthotics and Orthoseat (custom wheelchair seating), Pediatric Orthotic Specialists, and physician consultants.

Directions to Lincoln Developmental Center:
In Grand Rapids, take I-96 to Leonard Street—Exit 36. Proceed east on Leonard Street for approximately 2.2 miles and turn right onto Crahen Avenue NE and proceed approximately 0.4 miles. LDC is on the left.