Brewer-Porch Children’s Center – Mission: To provide a model treatment program for Alabama’s special-needs children, adolescents and their families.
The Faculty Senate has partnered with the Professional Staff Assembly and the Office, Clerical & Technical Staff Assembly to perform service projects for the Alabama REACH Program and for Brewer-Porch Children’s Center. An initial grant of $5,000 from the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America was received in April, with a second grant of $2,000 received in July of this year.
Brewer-Porch Children’s Center serves Alabama’s special-needs children and adolescents, ages 6-18, providing residential and outpatient behavioral healthcare and educational services to maximize their potential. A new Preschool Demonstration Program places 4 year old children with autism in a classroom with typical children, providing language, leadership, social, emotional and academic skills to help them successfully enter kindergarten within the public school system. BPCC also serves as a research and training site for UA faculty, students and staff.
On August 6, 2018 we held the first-ever Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day at Brewer-Porch Children’s Center. Teachers were asked to submit classroom ‘wish lists’ of items that would engage/motivate their students and otherwise be purchased from the teachers’ own pockets. A buffet luncheon was provided for the teachers and staff.
On December 3 and 4, 2018, we held work days to construct an educational Salsa Garden for Brewer-Porch teachers and students. The UA Grounds Operations donated soil, gravel and heavy equipment. TIAA funding was used to purchase landscaping timbers and gardening tools allowing students to plant tomatoes, onions, peppers and cilantro in the spring and maintain the garden. On January 21, 2019, we constructed a sensory playground pad at Brewer-Porch Children’s Center.
On May 5, 2020, the Second Annual Brewer-Porch Children’s Center Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon was held during Teacher Appreciation Week. The Cinco de Mayo themed luncheon was catered by Taco Mama and enjoyed by eighty BPCC faculty and staff. This event was a service project organized by the Faculty Senate’s Community & Legislative Affairs Committee and co-sponsored by the Office, Clerical and Technical Staff Assembly and the Professional Staff Assembly.
