Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 08/99) - Children with special needs in Yellowknife no longer have to look very far for services that suit them.

More than 80 local children and their families have already benefited from a program currently operated by the Yellowknife Catholic School Board.

Called Four Plus, the program helps children with disabilities, kids at risk, immigrant children who lack English language skills and others, says the board's student support consultant, Liz Baile. It is based at Weledeh Catholic school and has been under way for two years.

"The uniqueness of this program is that there is a very small teacher-pupil ratio," she says. "Four students to one teacher."

"It's about smooth transitions, school readiness and helping families."

Others who have benefited in the past two years include children who have been abused, those suffering from cancer, autistic children and numerous others.

Children ages four to six qualify for Four Plus. Numerous group and agencies across Yellowknife have begun to refer clients Four Plus, Baile says.

Over the last two years, the GNWT has funded Four Plus to the tune of $130,000 each year. Baile says numerous scientific studies point to the fact that monies invested early in children with special needs or in need of intervention, are easily saved in the years ahead before help is needed as the child gets older.

"We'll know by the end of January whether the program will be renewed (by the GNWT) for another year," Baile says. "Already, people are phoning for next year."