Adaptive Movement Center for people with special needs opens in New Philadelphia

Andrew Dolph, The Times-Reporter
·5 min read

NEW PHILADELPHIA – A center catering to all people with special needs ages 3 through adult has opened in downtown New Philadelphia.

Lacey PAC is the nonprofit organization behind center at 117 S. Broadway St., whose mission is to become a safe space that provides relief for parents and guardians year-round through activities for their loved ones. It also will serve the surrounding counties of Stark, Carroll, Harrison, Guernsey, Coshocton, and Holmes.

Cash Stephen, 4, who is autistic, is held by his father Josh, as Mayor Joel Day, at far left, reads a special proclamation during the ribbon cutting ceremony for Lacey PAC, a newly opened adaptive movement center for people with special needs, ages 3 through adult, Saturday, Sept. 16 in New Philadelphia.
Cash Stephen, 4, who is autistic, is held by his father Josh, as Mayor Joel Day, at far left, reads a special proclamation during the ribbon cutting ceremony for Lacey PAC, a newly opened adaptive movement center for people with special needs, ages 3 through adult, Saturday, Sept. 16 in New Philadelphia.

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At the heart of Lacey PAC is Lacey Herbert-Stephen, CEO and founder of the Adaptive Movement Center and owner of Lacey Performing Arts Center – a local dance studio in New Philadelphia. After her son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 18 months, Lacey wanted to learn more about special needs. She began by adding sensory and movement classes to her dance studio. And as the program grew in the dance studio, the space itself was eventually outgrown, giving way to the new location where Lacey currently employs a staff of four.

Lacey Herbert-Stephen, CEO and founder of the Adaptive Movement Center for people with special needs hugs an attendee at the recent grand opening of the facility in New Philadelphia.
Lacey Herbert-Stephen, CEO and founder of the Adaptive Movement Center for people with special needs hugs an attendee at the recent grand opening of the facility in New Philadelphia.

“It’s only 1,200 square feet. It’s very small facility for what we’re doing. In the big picture, we already need more space," Lacey said.

What's more, with an additional 8,000 square feet available above the dance studio, Lacey said, "Since I am purchasing my dance studio building off of Jim Knisley, our end goal is to renovate the upstairs ... and make it the AMC within the next year or so. That way both businesses are together and I’m owning them and the building."

Renovations included safety measures

Renovations began in early February, starting with a transformation to make every room, hallway, doorway and restroom handicap accessible. Additionally, certain safety measure have been put in place to help ensure the safety of clients, such as an intercom and magnetically controlled door with an appropriately positioned activation button preventing a student from accidentally or purposefully exiting on their own.

A slogan of choose kindness can be seen upon entry into the adaptive movement center for people with special needs, Lacey PAC.
A slogan of choose kindness can be seen upon entry into the adaptive movement center for people with special needs, Lacey PAC.

For people with special needs, security can be an important component of day-to-day activities. The AMC is no exception, as the front door is just a few steps from a very busy downtown road frequented by vehicles of all sizes.

“My son is an escape artist,” Lacey said with a hearty laugh during one of the many tours she gave at the recent opening day ceremony. She went on to illustrate the capabilities of her 4-year-old, Cash. “He has escaped four times. He’s amazing. He knows how to open every single window lock, door, and has even figured out the controls of an alarm system to prevent it from activating,” she said.

Lacey Herbert-Stephen, CEO and founder of the Adaptive Movement Center embraces her son Cash, 4, who is autistic, during a celebration of the newly opened facility in downtown New Philadelphia.
Lacey Herbert-Stephen, CEO and founder of the Adaptive Movement Center embraces her son Cash, 4, who is autistic, during a celebration of the newly opened facility in downtown New Philadelphia.

Center aims to meet each individual's needs

“The center (seeks to address) the unique requirements of each individual and celebrate their strengths while offering personalized support to overcome challenges. The AMC has a dedicated team of specialist and volunteers. Each staff member has had a background check and is overly qualified to make sure the center is safe, and they ensure that your loved one will be taken care of with the utmost respect and love,” according to a statement released by the organization.

Lacey Herbert-Stephen, CEO and founder of the Adaptive Movement Center for people with special needs gives a tour of the newly opened facility in New Philadelphia.
Lacey Herbert-Stephen, CEO and founder of the Adaptive Movement Center for people with special needs gives a tour of the newly opened facility in New Philadelphia.

A wide range of both mentally and physically stimulating sessions will be available, from adaptive physical activities and therapy to creative arts and interactive social programs. Multiple rooms offer different levels of play and learning to all ages, with sessions being split between children in the mornings and adults in the afternoons and evenings.

Even a specially designed quiet room for those seeking isolation from over-stimulation is available, replete with requisite therapeutic tools to aid in assisting someone in moving through a difficult moment. “The quiet area – it centers them (students). So, when they’re having a moment of anxiety, or are over-sensitized or overwhelmed, or can’t communicate – they can go in here. The quiet room is a safe space for them to go to and sit down and relax,” Lacey said. “The chairs in there are compression-type, so when you sit down in it, it squeezes you," she added.

The AMC is the first of its kind in Tuscarawas County to serve those strictly with special needs, with the exception of those that are hospital or clinic-based and help people with injuries seeking rehabilitation such as at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital.

Facility will need financial support

Renovations to the space, initial purchase of equipment, and staffing all come at a cost. Financial support at the local level has been strong, with recent donations from ProVia in the amount of $60,000, as well as from Rainbow Connection, which bought $25,000 worth of equipment. However, upkeep through frequent use will require constant funding. Those interested in helping, can find more information via the AMC website.

Ron McAbier, service director for the City of New Philadelphia, slides down one of many new pieces of equipment in use in the large motor skills room at the newly opened Adaptive Movement Center for people with special needs.
Ron McAbier, service director for the City of New Philadelphia, slides down one of many new pieces of equipment in use in the large motor skills room at the newly opened Adaptive Movement Center for people with special needs.

The center is seeking donations and sponsorships for students so everyone with special needs wishing to attend may do so at a discounted cost or for free. And as such, ProVia is currently matching donations given up to $60,000.

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The facility will eventually be run by an elected board of trustees, represented by and for the adults and children it serves, according to Lacey. That board will then make ongoing recommendations about operations to the CEO and specialists charged operating the facility day to day – which for now will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Lacey Herbert-Stephen cuts the ribbon during the recent grand opening of the Adaptive Movement Center in New Philadelphia.
Lacey Herbert-Stephen cuts the ribbon during the recent grand opening of the Adaptive Movement Center in New Philadelphia.

Three specialists will serve students: Farrah Raines, the occupational therapy assistant at Starlight School, Brooke Herbert, an early childhood education teacher, and Kaitlin Jaqunic, a special education teacher at New Philadelphia City Schools. As the program grows, so too will staffing, according to Lacey.

Free transportation from Starlight in New Philadelphia is also planned with details to be announced soon.

For more information about Lacey PAC, visit www.amcenter.org.

T-R staff photographer Andrew Dolph can be reached by phone at 330-289-6072, or by email at adolph3@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Lacey PAC Adaptive Movement Center opens in New Philadelphia