Positive Education Program’s founding nearly half a century ago by Dr. Rico Pallotta – a local educator known for his work with children with special needs – can be traced to a quest for values. If he were to launch an organization that served the region’s most challenging students and their families, Pallotta felt it
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Movement matters. Yet, too often, society’s response to children with special needs is to isolate them from physical and social activities – a reaction that research shows could ultimately hinder healthy social-emotional development. Take running and football – physical activities typically not afforded to young people with complex developmental disabilities, autism, emotional regulation challenges or
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Over the years, PEP has worked with children and youth in Greater Cleveland who have experienced significant trauma or chronic stress – life events, for example, that could include abuse, neglect, loss of a loved one, having a debilitating illness, witnessing violence or bullying. The Sanctuary Model – developed by Dr. Sandra Bloom, a nationally
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Re-EDucation, or Re-ED, is a systematic approach to working with children who have mental health and behavioral issues. Re-ED focuses on discovering and building upon the existing strengths of children – not dwelling on their weaknesses or deficiencies so that these positive attributes will ultimately occupy more of their being. The success of the Re-ED
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