PITTSFIELD, Mass. Aug. 6, 2014—Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. (HEC) has been awarded $5,418 from Berkshire Life Charitable Foundation to purchase assistive technology, specifically laptop computers and safe desks, for the ASD classrooms at the Housatonic Academy.

This grant will give Housatonic Academy the digital media resources needed to help ASD students understand concepts, practice new skills, and engage in exciting, authentic learning experiences.

Hillcrest will purchase three HP laptop computers and three “flipIT” laptop safe multiuse workstations to support individualized instruction with the IXL Math Program and the Lexia Core 5 Reading Program in the three ASD classrooms at the Housatonic Academy.

Although the Housatonic Academy has a computer lab with 5 workstations for students, children with ASD are easily over stimulated when other students are sharing workspace or interacting with staff or each other in a small, confined space. A new workstation and computer will be placed in each ASD classroom and will be positioned or separated by a divider so students can focus on lessons and their personal staff without distraction.

Children with autism will be more attentive more motivated, and retain the math and reading lessons with greater ease through the use of additional assistive technology.

About Hillcrest Educational Centers

A top Berkshire County employer Hillcrest Educational Centers is a private not-for-profit organization, providing therapeutic treatment and special education to children and adolescents with unique psychological and learning needs, in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and the Northeast. Campuses include a day student academy and three residential schools. They are also a resource for a broad range of psychological services, counseling and evaluations for individuals, families and schools in Berkshire County through Hillcrest Community Support Services. Hillcrest also operates Hillcrest Dental Care, Inc., a complete general family dentistry practice. Hillcrest Dental Care is the largest provider in Western Massachusetts of oral healthcare services to MassHealth recipients and special needs patients. In 2010, Hillcrest formalized an affiliation with Berkshire County Kids’ Place and Violence Prevention Center, Inc., a fully accredited Children’s Advocacy Center for child abuse victims and their non-offending family members. Visit our Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn pages under Hillcrest Educational Centers.

###

Media Contact:
Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.
Katrina Cardillo
Director of Communications
413-499-7924 ext. 114
kcardillo@hillcresteducationalcenters.org