Mission: The mission of the Children’s Advancement Fund, Inc. is to help children with special needs realize their highest potential for a more independent life as they become active participants in our society without placing a financial burden on families. It is the goal of CAF to eventually provide every child with the therapies that are needed but have not been able to afford such services.
Background: Children with special needs in Hartford and Middlesex will now have access to therapies that were once out of their reach due to the lack of medical coverage because of the formation of the Children’s Advancement Fund (CAF) Inc. The nonprofit organization will provide funding for Occupation, Physical and Speech and Language therapies to children with special needs whose families cannot afford them.
Children’s Advancement Fund Inc was the vision of Stephanie Bendiske, who is a speech and language pathologist and board certified behavior analyst, after seeing the number of children who needed to have access to such therapies but weren’t able to afford them. Tax exempt status was granted in June of 2009 and as soon as funding is established children will be able to receive the therapy services that are needed to help them achieve a brighter future. Funding will be established through grants, private donations and fundraisers. “After working with children and their parents I realized how vital it was for them to have access to these services. The success of a child with special needs should not be compromised because of the inability to pay”, said Bendiske.
Volunteer Needs: Contact Stephanie Bendiske (860) 967-3713, email caf@cafinfo.org
Leadership: Stephanie Bendiske, MS CCC-SLP, BCBA
Board of Directors:
Robert Bendiske, MBA, accountant
Carol Nelson, Special Education Consultant
Suzanne Gendron, Marketing, Public Relations
Contact information:
Children’s Advancement Fund Inc
76 Eastern Boulevard
Glastonbury, CT 06033
(860) 967-3713; www.cafinfo.org
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Stephanie Bendiske, MS CCC-SLP, BCBA, is head of the Children’s Advancement Fund Inc.
