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The $12,000 award helps ensure children with developmental delays receive consistent speech and occupational therapy.

(March 16, 2026) A $12,000 grant from the Curran Family Foundation will help children with developmental delays continue receiving critical therapy services at The Florida Center for Early Childhood. The support benefits the organization’s Developmental Therapy Services program, which provides individualized speech-language and occupational therapy for young children who need help building communication, motor, sensory and daily living skills. While insurance and Medicaid cover a portion of these services, reimbursement rates often fall short of the true cost of providing high-quality, licensed therapy.

Dr. Kristie Skoglund, CEO of The Florida Center, explains that the grant will help cover therapy costs for children whose families would otherwise struggle to afford the additional expenses, allowing them to complete their prescribed course of care without interruption. 

“Many families do everything right. They secure insurance, attend appointments and commit to treatment plans, yet gaps in reimbursement can still make it difficult to sustain the level of therapy their child needs,” says Dr. Skoglund. “Support from the Curran Family Foundation helps ensure that children can continue receiving the consistent care that allows them to build critical skills during a vital stage of development.”

“The Florida Center is in full alignment with the Foundation’s mission to positively impact the lives of children and young adults. We are excited to support the great work the Center is doing for the children in our community” said Founder Michael Curran. 

“After hearing their story and touring the Sarasota campus, we were compelled to support The Florida Center,” added Travis Williams, Executive Director. “Seeing the life-changing work they are accomplishing for the children in our community was extraordinary.”

Developmental therapy plays a vital role in helping young children build the foundational skills needed for learning and independence. Speech-language therapy strengthens communication and language development, while occupational therapy helps children improve motor skills, sensory regulation and everyday functioning. 

For more information about The Florida Center for Early Childhood, visit TheFloridaCenter.org.

Photo captions:

  • A Florida Center student celebrates a milestone moment with a teacher. Thanks to support from the Curran Family Foundation, more children can continue receiving the developmental therapies that help them grow and thrive.
  • Kim A. Williams, vice president of Early Education & Developmental Therapy Services at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, works with a student during a therapy session designed to strengthen motor skills and coordination. Support from the Curran Family Foundation helps make these services accessible to families who need them most.
  • Linda Tobiassen, M.A., LMHC, an early childhood mental health consultant at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, works with a student during a classroom activity that supports social and emotional development. Grants such as the recent award from the Curran Family Foundation help sustain the specialized services children rely on during their early years.

About the Michael G. Curran Family Foundation

The Michael G. Curran Family Foundation is a private charitable family foundation established in North Carolina in 2003 by Michael Curran.  The Foundation pursues its mission of positively impacting the lives of children and young adults by collaborating with successful community based nonprofit organizations and stakeholders who are aligned with our mission.  The Foundation opened a second chapter of giving in Manatee and Sarasota Counties in 2026 to partner with nonprofit organizations that provide critical programs to children and young adults in the areas of education, health, and athletics. For more information, visit www.curranfoundation.org    

About The Florida Center for Early Childhood

For more than 45 years, The Florida Center for Early Childhood has been the leading provider of therapeutic services, early education, and healthy development for young children in southwest Florida, offering a seamless delivery of services for the whole child and their family. Today, the agency is nationally recognized for its early childhood expertise in various specialties. The Florida Center provides developmental therapies, mental health counseling, Starfish Academy preschool, the Healthy Families home-visiting program, and the state’s only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Clinic, with locations in Sarasota, Orlando and Pensacola. For more information, visit TheFloridaCenter.org.