One of the most innovative spaces serving children and families in our region sits across the street from Gladstone High School. Decades ago, the Gladstone School District saw an opportunity to turn this former grocery store into a flourishing early childhood center. Today, the Gladstone Center for Children and Families houses preschool and kindergarten programs, plus an array of health and social support services for kids and their families.

Clackamas ESD is proud of our continuing collaboration with the center; we were one of GCCF’s founding partners in 2009. Our early childhood special education program team serves dozens of 3- to 5-year-olds in preschool classrooms, helping young children with special learning needs prepare to enter kindergarten ready to learn. We also offer summer preschool programming at the center.

“Through our deep partnership with GCCF, we are able to create integrated services that give children the best possible opportunity to thrive,” said Laura Goodman, EI/ECSE coordinator for Clackamas ESD through September 2023. “We collaborate to combine our skills and resources to provide inclusive experiences for children and families where everyone feels valued and welcome.”

“At GCCF, our partnership with Clackamas Education Services District is integral to our support of children and families,” said Sarah Dunkin, principal and director of the Gladstone Center for Children and Families. “Through our collaboration, we have constructed a preschool experience that is fully inclusive, inquiry inspired within a caring environment that builds upon the capabilities of every child we teach.”

The Gladstone center’s model is a simple but unique one: Bring multiple services needed by young children and their families into the same space, to make access easier and more efficient. The center is clear about its mission to provide comprehensive services to young children and their families that prepare them for long-term health and social, emotional and educational success. In addition to onsite preschool and kindergarten classes operated by the Gladstone School District, multiple organizations and agencies have a presence at GCCF. Available support ranges from health services and screenings (including mental and behavioral health assistance) to parenting classes and literacy partnerships with SMART Reading, Clackamas Bookshelf and the Gladstone Public Library.

Learn more about the Gladstone Center for Children and Families and the partnerships that power this early learning hub.