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new campus is designed to house 10 buildings which will occupy 2
acres of the 20-acre site, leaving extensive grounds open as natural
environments for the students to use and enjoy. The facilities are
designed in early California Craftsman style, making extensive use
of natural materials that blend with the surrounding area. The entire
project has a village feel with buildings primarily grouped in a
“U” shape around an open, interior grass terrace. Each
building is designed with a specific purpose, as follows:
Phase I - Site Acquisition
Phase II - Site Development
Phase III - Aquatic Therapy Center Construction
This building will house our Aquatic Therapy Program as well as
our Fitness and Physical Therapy Centers. Three outdoor pools are
designed to meet the needs of our student and adult population and
include: a wading pool for our preschool children; a lap pool for
general fitness purposes; and a therapy pool specially designed
for wheelchair users. The Recreation Therapy building has two wings,
one for children and the other for adults, that will house both
specialized and general fitness and therapy equipment.
Phase IV - Vocational Training Center Construction
This building, set close to the rear entrance to the campus,
houses our agency-sponsored vocational training programs, transportation
and storage facilities, an second-story quarters for security staff.
Vocational programs include woodworking and craft production, where
adults produce handmade items that are sold in our retail shop,
Potpourri On The Coast, computer training, and a gardening program.
Phase V - Administration/Research Center Construction
The Administration/ Research Center is a two-story structure separated
into two wings which are connected by an outdoor terrace on both
the first and second floors. In addition to providing office and
meeting space, this building will house our Research Center, Community
Training program, and our Diagnostic Center. The Diagnostic Center
will be the first of its kind in San Diego County to offer families
a central location where they can receive diagnostic support and
individual training for their child or adult’s speech, physical,
occupational, daily life skills, and behavioral therapy needs across
the lifespan. Families have long needed one place where they can
get the expert advice and support they require to help their children
lead the highest quality of life possible. The Administration/Research
Center will also serve as a training location for special educators,
health care professionals, psychologists, and other support professionals
as they prepare to work with children and adults who have severe
developmental and leaning needs. These professionals will support
our applied research efforts as we seek new therapies and treatment
methodologies to meet the needs of this special population.
Phase V - Education/Research Centers Construction
The 5 Learning Centers designed for the campus will house:
TERI Learning Academy
The TERI Learning Academy is our non-public school program for children
who have autism, developmental disabilities and severe behavior
disorders, and its program design is unique in San Diego County.
These children require intensive levels of instruction and staff
support, and most receive 1:1 staffing in addition to consultation
and behavior specialist services. This is an innovative educational
setting where children learn academics and/or basic living skills
depending on individual needs and goals. Many children in the TERI
Learning Academy will transition to The Country School, the public
school special education programs, or to adult programs once they
no longer need intensive levels of intervention and support.
The Country School
This is both a private school and a non-public school for children
who have learning disabilities, Asperger’s Syndrome, health
impairments, or other mild to moderate disabilities that affect
learning. These students require a safe, supportive, and individualized
environment in order to benefit from academic instruction. The program
conforms to state standards for excellence in education and our
team of professionals is committed to the success of each student
and to helping each child reach his or her full potential. The Country
School focuses on strategies and skills that help their students
both academically and socially and offers an alternative path to
a holistic education.
First STEP Childcare Program
TERI was a leader in the provision of childcare as an employee benefit
when it started the First STEP program in 1985. This licensed preschool
serves the children of TERI employees and also functions as an integration
site for handicapped children and toddlers from the surrounding
community. First STEP is an invaluable part of our service continuum
and has allowed us to recruit and retain high quality, professional
staff for our programs. It has also served as a vocational training
site for several of the adults enrolled in our Day Training Program.
The Center for Art & Adult Education
The Center for Art & Adult Education is designed to serve 200
individuals over the age of 22 who need assistance and support in
learning basic life skills, vocational skills, and behavior management.
This program meets the needs of a wide range of adults, to include
those who are multi-handicapped ; deaf/blind/mentally retarded;
dual diagnosed; and senior citizens. Our curriculum is a varied
as our population and includes both classroom and community training.
Our Therapeutic Equestrian Program is an adjunct to the TERI Learning
Academy and The Center for Art & Adult Education and provides
both therapeutic and vocational opportunities for our students.
The learning space for both the TERI Learning Academy and the Center
for Art & Adult Education features large classrooms joined in
pairs by an interior space that provides for a restroom, kitchenette,
and storage space. Each program also offers computer labs, a full
kitchen, staff lounge, offices, therapy rooms, and space for individual
assessment and consultation.
Phase VI - Auditorium/Gymnasium Construction
This facility will allow us to offer multiple activities on campus
for our general student population as well as the professional community.
This includes our annual Spring and Winter formal dances, recreation
events, talent show, and theater arts productions. Each year we
host an annual conference on autism which draws experts in the field
from around the world to speak to professionals and families about
this ever increasing developmental disability. In addition, training
is provided to parents and community members about the best ways
to support and educate this population. This facility will allow
us to offer these activities on campus and includes a stage, bleacher
seating, basketball court, banquet and lecture accommodations.
Phase VII - Therapeutic Equestrian Program
This facility design includes a tack room, office, stables, riding
rings, and classroom space for children and adults involved in therapeutic
riding experiences. The benefits of this program to individuals
with developmental and learning disabilities are innumerable and
include improved strength and balance; improved coordination and
muscle tone; increased self-esteem and confidence; and enhanced
problem solving and socialization skills. The therapeutic equestrian
program is an adjunct to our education and training programs and
is not open to the general public. The lessons taught through this
venue are designed to meet individual therapeutic goals and to build
on existing abilities and strengths.
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