The Deptford Township Early Childhood Advisory Council and Special Education Parent Advisory Group will host a Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, April 26, at Deptford Middle School.
The event will include approximately 43 vendors, according to the township school district’s Assistant Director of Special Education, Johanna Vicchairelli, and Instructional Supervisor/Vice Principal John Merulla, who will represent a variety of services throughout Gloucester County for families.
They include transitional services, such as the Rowan College of South Jersey Adult Center for Transition; sports, clubs and activities like those at the Gloucester County YMCA; therapeutic services, such as those found at the county Office of Mental Health; and informational services like those at the township library.
The fair will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free for both the public and vendors and requires no registration. It will be up to parents to sign up for the services offered.
“… General education and special education are teaming up to help out for this event,” said Vicchairelli. “Parents of children with special needs will find information about transitional services.”
“We’ll have a ton of information on preschool programs, because this is the first year that there is a full day pre-K program,” Merulla noted. “This started back in October and now includes a total of 18 classes.”
The fair came about after the district sent a survey to parents asking what more they wanted to learn about the township.
“We started it all by sending out a survey to parents to see what they and their kids needed to learn more of. They wanted to know more about the different services that they can take advantage of,” said Merulla.
“As a result, we are going to hold a resource fair with vendors who can provide information about health care, mental health, social skills, sports, activities for kids and more.”
Vendors often have informational resources to give away at the event, which is expected to draw about 250 people, according to Merulla and Vicchairelli. Parents can join the event at any point during its two hours and do not need to be present for the whole time.
“The Deptford Township School District does not recommend one organization over another,” said Vicchairelli. “This event is for information purposes only. Resources can be used outside of school at your convenience, availability and discretion.”
