Special Education Contact Info
Desma Beltran Main Phone Number: Division Pages
Student & Personnel Services: Special Education
The Chrysalis CenterSanta Cruz County Office of Education opens new center for children with special needs
That staggering statistic was released this month by researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics which surveyed more than 78,000 parents with children between the ages of 3 and 17, and asked if they had ever been told by a health care provider that their child had autism, Asperger's syndrome or another autism spectrum disorder (ASD). That's an estimated 673,000 children or approximately 1% of all children in the U.S. in that age group.
Superintendent Watkins, the County Board of Education and County Office staff are proud to provide these quality programs in a modern facility to students needing these specialized services.  |
Autism affects 1 in 91 children in the US.
To meet the growing needs of Santa Cruz County children suffering from ASD and their families, the County Office of Education opened the newly built Chrysalis Center. Located near the Live Oak School District Office and Green Acres Elementary School campus, the 7,400 square foot building was completely financed by state bond funding. An open house was conducted the afternoon of October 9th to introduce the program and facilities to the public. The ceremony included remarks from John Leopold, 1st District County Supervisor, Elizabeth Schilling, Director of the Live Oak Community Center, Tamra Taylor, Superintendent, Live Oak School District, Michael Watkins, County Superintendent of Schools and Hal Ledbetter, Senior Director, County Office of Education Special Education Programs.
