Variety Pre-Schooler's Workshop (VPSW) recently held its official "ground-breaking" ceremony to commence the $3 million renovation and expansion of its Syosset facility. VPSW staff, children and families and board of trustees were joined by Long Island elected officials and other supporters as VPSW founder, president and CEO, Judith S. Bloch, announced the official beginning of the project.

Among those in attendance were: New York State Senator Carl L. Marcellino; New York State Assemblyman David S. Sidikman; and Marc Herbst; Judy A. Jacobs, Nassau County Legislator presiding officer; John Venditto, supervisor, Town of Oyster Bay; and Bonnie Eisler, councilwoman, Town of Oyster Bay.

VPSW is a major Long Island center that serves young children with developmental disabilities - such as autism - and their families. The center was one of the first programs in the Northeast for young children with learning, language and behavior disabilities. Today VPSW's staff of 260 and more than 75 volunteers and student interns serve more than 1,000 families each year through direct services in typical schools and child care settings, special education classes and the home. VPSW reaches countless more children and families through information and referral services, professional training and consult, and is expanding these programs.

"VPSW is growing once again to meet a number of new challenges on Long Island and in communities across the country," explained Ms. Bloch. "There is a dramatic rise in the incidence of children being treated for autism throughout the nation - and we've added another class to accommodate children with this disability. At the same time, more children with disabilities are being "included" in programs for typically developing children, and the administrators and staff of those programs are urgently seeking to help to prepare to manage this change. VPSW needs more room and better facilities to help address these issues. Our expansion is one of the most important projects since our founding in 1966. We are profoundly grateful to the many supporters - including our elected leaders and donors - who are making this possible."

Renovations at VPSW will include the kindergarten/first grade classroom, evaluation center, children's library, several task rooms for one-on-one work with children with autism, parent library and lounge. A Training and Research Center will be created to enable VPSW to train school personnel and families in its approaches and techniques.

VPSW, a United Way agency, provides year-round special education and support services for children birth to 14 and their families. The center operates the only preschool special education program on Long Island designated as a "Sharing Success Validated Program" by the New York State Education Department. VPSW was named the 523rd Daily Point of Light by President George Bush. For more information about Variety Pre-Schooler's Workshop, contact Barbara Travis, 921-7171, ext. 125.