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Education, Careers & Lifelong Community for Children and Adults with Special Needs

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About Us

ECLC of New Jersey is an accredited, nonprofit, educating students ages 5–21 with severe learning and/or language disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome or multiple disabilities at schools in Chatham and Ho-Ho-Kus. Every student graduates with a plan for adulthood! We provide Transition Services to bridge the gap from the classroom to a job or day program.

Many students stay within the ECLC family of services, either in the PRIDE Adult Program or in supported-employment jobs or support coordination services offered through our affiliate, Community Personnel Services (CPS).

ECLC offers a trusted community of caring individuals to help individuals with special needs achieve their greatest potential!

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Our Schools

We believe in educating the whole student to prepare them for life after graduation, placing an equal emphasis on academics and social-emotional learning.

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PRIDE Program

PRIDE provides adults with special needs an enriching program that supports their continued growth.

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Community Personnel Services

All of our students receive transition and supported-employment services through CPS. Founded in 1995, the agency helps students find appropriate options for life after graduation and successfully enter the workforce.

Student Success Story

Jada has flourished at ECLC’s Ho-Ho-Kus school, overcoming the challenges of being born legally blind, with scoliosis and cognitive impairments. The benefit of ECLC is the ability to quickly adjust to students’ needs and to draw on more than five decades of experience educating students with disabilities. “They made the transition easy for us. It was like joining a family,” said her mom, Jodi. “They gave Jada everything she needed.” Her teacher says, “One of Jada’s favorite phrases is ‘There is nothing I can’t do,’ and she is absolutely right. Her level of commitment to achieve success never ceases to amaze me.” Her mom credits ECLC for Jada’s success. “They are people that you know and trust with your child. No matter what you ask for, they solve your problem,” said Jodi.

Featured News

After almost a decade of partnership, Andrea Argila seems like a member of the family

She has offered support, quick responses, advice and resources to Janette Schultze-Mirabelli, whose daughter Natalie is on the autism spectrum. “It’s a pleasure to have someone in your corner like Andrea. She makes everything so smooth,” said Janette. Andrea isn’t a close cousin or family …

Students Get a Feel for the Workplace

At ECLC of New Jersey, we prepare our students and adult clients to defy the odds! Nationally, only one in four adults with special needs is participating in the workforce. We do everything possible to ensure that all our students are prepared for work options, …

Preparing Students for Careers

Jesse epitomizes the payoff all ECLC  students receive to prepare for life as an adult. A graduate of our Chatham school, this year Jesse is celebrating 19 years working part-time with the Township of Verona Community Services Department. He is a client of Community Personnel …

Ho-Ho-Kus Principal Named a Hometown Hero!

Every Spring, our Chatham school hosts an Employer Breakfast to thank area businesses and nonprofits for opening their doors to students with special needs to learn new work skills! Nearly 30 employers participated in the program during this school year, including child-care centers, retail stores, …

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