The Childhood League Center (CLC) doubled both its space and the number of children it serves through the construction of a new, LEED-certified 41,000 sq. ft. modern and accessible facility at the Fort Hayes Campus near downtown Columbus. The building is expected to open for the 2016-17 school year. CLC is a licensed early childhood intervention program.
For 70 years, the Center has provided the educational and therapeutic services essential for at-risk, developmentally delayed, and special needs children under age six. Without services, these children are at the greatest risk of being left behind academically once they enter a public or private school. Finance Fund provided nearly $10.6 million in federal and state NMTC financing to the project, which is located in a qualified high-distress, the low-income census tract with a poverty rate of 40%. The project creates 72 construction jobs, retains 49 current staff positions, and adds 18 new jobs.
Capital One, the investor, provided an additional $2 million in federal NMTC allocation to the project. CLC partners with all 16 Columbus City School Districts to meet the growing demand for services for at-risk and special needs children.
Among the children served by the Center, 90% have been diagnosed with developmental delays related to a medical condition such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or alcohol and drug exposure. Nearly half were born prematurely. Two-thirds of CLC students live in poverty. In the first three years of operation in the new school, CLC anticipates a 57% increase in the number of special needs students served. Currently, nearly 450 children participate in the program each year.
The Center also promotes positive parenting skills as well as healthy nutrition and physical health. Finance Fund’s investment enables the new Childhood League Center to prepare children to reach their full potential. By the time they enter kindergarten, 65% of children who received services from the Center will no longer qualify for specialized services, according to CLC.