Center-Based Program

Center-based program services began in September 1970 with the primary goal to provide a day school alternative to institutional placement for young children with severe and profound disabilities.  The Center was incorporated in 1975 as the Moore County Children’s Center, and later changed its name to Sandhills Children’s Center to reflect the broadened geographic area of service to counties in this south central region.

Outreach Program

Sandhills Children’s Center expanded its program in July of 2004 to include home-based, outreach services in a multi-county area.  Currently serving an additional one hundred fifty children in counties throughout south central North Carolina, the focus of this project is to provide direct services of educational, speech, physical, and occupational therapies in home or child care settings. By providing this, Sandhills Children’s Center allows family members and/or caregivers to gain a better understanding of the goals and objectives that have been set for their child. Home visits are scheduled on a regular basis to assist children with cognitive skills, language and communication, self-help, social skills and physical development.  By supporting each family in this way, they have an opportunity to take part in their child’s individualized plan.

Sandhills Children’s Center does not have a formal affiliation with any other non-profit organizations, but works intricately with a large number of community based and state sponsored agencies.  These agencies include Moore and Richmond County Schools and Health Departments, Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA), Community Alternatives Program (CAP), Mental Health programs, Head Start, the Early Intervention Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Governor Morehead School for the Blind Preschool Program, Child Care Connections resource and referral agency, The Arc of Moore County, Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital of Duke University Medical Center, the Center for Development and Learning and Division of TEACCH of the University of North Carolina System, and local pediatricians and family care providers.  In addition to coordination of service provision with these agencies, the Center has repeatedly been requested to participate in a variety of research projects to replicate programs and determine best practices for the birth to five special needs population.  These research projects have been conducted by the University of North Carolina on Chapel Hill and Charlotte campuses, Western Carolina University, and the Early Childhood Research Institute through the University of North Carolina and Rhode Island College.

Sandhills Children’s Center holds a Five-Star license through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) – Division of Child Development.  This license is reviewed annually for compliance with day care standards and includes an annual fire safety review and quarterly sanitation inspections.  Both the Southern Pines Campus and Rockingham Campus received a PERFECT SCORE of 15 points out of a possible 15 during the last rating period.  The Center is accredited by the Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services of the North Carolina DHHS to provide developmental day and case management services.  As well, the Center must comply with the Department of Public Instruction guidelines for exceptional children and is monitored through its contract with Moore and Richmond county school districts.

Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering.