3790 Dairy Road Melbourne, FL 32904
PRESS RELEASE
for immediate release
October 21, 2014
Contact: Leslie Roth (321) 729-6858, ext 203
Space Coast Early Intervention Center, Florida Tech
Explore Merger and Combined Services
MELBOURNE, FLA. — Space Coast Early Intervention Center (SCEIC) and Florida Institute of
Technology (Florida Tech) are exploring a collaboration that could lead to expanded services for
children with or without special needs. The merger would include enhanced preschool to second grade
options.
“Florida Tech’s College of Psychology and Liberal Arts and the university’s Scott Center for Autism
Treatment have respected reputations for exceptional education and service in our field,” said Leslie
Roth, executive director of SCEIC. “Coupled with the decades of success that we’ve had here at
SCEIC, a permanent partnership where resources can be shared and expanded makes good sense—
providing for enhanced services and resulting in more education and support provided to the Space
Coast families who need it most. A combined center that would provide ease of access to education
and therapy is a worthy goal, and an important evolution.”
“We’re excited to have this conversation,” said Mary Beth Kenkel, dean of the College of Psychology
and Liberal Arts at Florida Tech. “We’re currently celebrating the fifth anniversary of our Scott Center
for Autism Treatment, and looking for new ways to better serve children in our community. The work
of the SCEIC is greatly admired, and Florida Tech is in a position to further that important educational
service.”
Kenkel said the seamless continuity of services would be a primary goal of any new relationship that
might be created. The uniting of SCEIC and Florida Tech remains in discussion and exploration, with
no final decisions expected until early 2015.
SCEIC is Brevard's premier preschool for children with and without special needs. Located in
Melbourne, its unique inclusive program ensures equal learning opportunities for all children,
regardless of ability. The center’s goal is to provide children with the academic and social skills
needed to succeed in life.
Florida Tech’s Scott Center for Autism Treatment specializes in working with children with autism
and other related disorders by implementing procedures based on the science of Applied Behavior
Analysis. Located on the campus of Florida Tech in Melbourne, the Scott Center has experts in the
areas of the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, early intervention, intensive toilet
training, pediatric feeding, and parent and teacher training.
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