One out of every four children has some type of mental or learning disability. These numbers are growing yearly. Schools are unprepared to manage or deal with children that are diagnosed with the following disorders:

* Reactive Attachment Disorder
* Fetal Alcohol disorders?
* Bipolar Disorder
* Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
* Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

Children diagnosed with these disorders also are challenged with learning disabilities and even social problems. What happens to these children? Most of them get lost in the school system with little or no help. Over ten percent (to be exact 10.9%) drop out of school between ages 16 and 24. What is the future for the children? Most of them become unemployable and go on to a public assistance program, while others end up in prison. Our goal this year is to set up training programs that consist of educating the teachers, parents and social workers about mental illness and learning disabilities. Having children tested and working out a treatment plan for parents, teachers and the psychologist will better help the child succeed in life. Most of the children we work with come from drug abused homes, or are under privileged where parents do not have the money or the insurance to get them the help they need. It costs American taxpayers $30,000 per year to support a prisoner, and yet for less than half of that over a five year period, most of these children could be helped and become responsible adults. My question for you is would you rather help them now while they are young, or do you want to have the prison system deal with them after they are adults?

This coming school year, Jackie Jones, Director of our new school called Learning Inspiration Academy, will be working with children who have Individual Educational Plans. When our new school opens, we will have qualified teachers who have worked with special educational students and these students will be getting one- on -one attention. Because of the smaller classrooms and the one- on -one teaching, the children will show growth very quickly. Children must have a feeling of safety and comfort in school in order to learn. The Learning Inspiration Academy will provide exactly that.

Below are listed the goals of Learning Inspiration Academy:

We serve students who:
* Are not achieving in the areas of language-reading, spelling, oral and written
* Exhibit symptoms of dyslexia?
* Are struggling to achieve in the classroom?
* Show a weakness in the auditory and/or visual modalities?
* Are struggling in the academic area of math

We will make every effort to make sure that we are:
* Mapping student's educational future.?
* Promoting academic excellence and leadership.?
* Creating a bond between school and community.?
* Bringing a new sense of possibilities to students.?
* Teaching problem solving and cooperation between students.
* Transforming students to become future leaders?
* Proving excursions to cultural events and attractions.

We have also had the opportunity to train teachers and parents on Autism, Reactive Attachment Disorder, ADD, and ADHD. Jackie Jones, a Special Educational Advisor, has tested some of the children and helps them with their learning disabilities. To date these children are succeeding in school. Dr. Burk, a psychological advisor, has also organized and structured essential work testing and talked with the children who have emotional problems. If you have a child with problems in school, contact Kids Educational & Mental Health Network and see if we can help. Learning Inspiration Academy is willing to work with children who have problems and are unable to adapt to the public school system. The school is training teachers to deal with children who have ADD, ADHD and many other disorders. If you feel you would like to learn more about Learning Inspiration Academy go to www.learninginspirationacademy.or call 707/637-0509.