Ummeed saw an opportunity to impact large numbers of children with special needs by working with schools. The Outreach Project at Ummeed was established 3 years ago to help schools include children with emotional and behavioral concerns, as well as developmental disabilities.

Children with special needs present challenges to teachers and schools who are often ill-equipped to deal with them appropriately. Under such circumstances the school climate can be extremely detrimental for these children, who may eventually drop out or be asked to leave.

Ummeed identifies suitable schools that are open to the philosophy of ‘inclusion’, yet require the know-how to make it work. After an analysis of current school practice, we make recommendations and work with the school to put these into practice. The ultimate goal is getting the organization to be self-sufficient in its dealings with children special needs.

Over the duration of the program, Ummeed works with a team of teachers at the school and trains one member of the school staff to be a ‘mental health worker’ (MHW). Teachers and MHWs are trained to identify children with special needs and shown how to manage and support these children in the existing classroom environment.

Teachers are shown new teaching strategies and behavior management techniques. They are taught how to develop and implement individualized plans for children with special needs.  Mental health workers are trained to work individually with children that are experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. They also conduct sessions for parents and children to help them cope with various issues they may be facing.