The Florida Center for Early Childhood is the leading provider of therapeutic services, early education, and intervention strategies for children in southwest Florida. The Florida Center provides speech/language therapy, occupational therapy and behavioral counseling for children from birth through fifth grade. Its early education program, Starfish Academy preschool, is nationally accredited with a focus on social-emotional development. With locations in Sarasota and North Port, the preschool curriculum includes building empathy, leadership, and social skills, while providing additional services for children with developmental challenges. The organization also offers Healthy Families, a free home-visiting program for new and expecting parents that helps guide them in their most important job. The state's only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders clinic is located at the Sarasota campus, offering evaluations for individuals of all ages who may have had prenatal exposure to alcohol. The agency also provides at least one school-based therapist at every public elementary school in Sarasota County. As needs continue to grow in our community, The Florida Center is committed to helping local children and families overcome their challenges and reach their full potential.
