At the Developmental Learning Center (DLC), our mission is to provide children and young adults with medical complexities and special needs a safe, supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive. Each year, DLC serves dozens of families across Northeast Florida, offering individualized care, specialized education, and family support services that address not only the child’s development but also the well-being of the entire family.

The impact of DLC can be seen in the lives of the children who achieve milestones once thought impossible, and in the relief of parents who finally feel supported in their journey. Families often tell us that DLC has become their “second home” and “a lifeline” when navigating the challenges of raising a medically complex child.

Over the past year alone, DLC:

• Educated and supported more than 70 children and young adults with special needs, ensuring individualized attention and therapeutic care.
• Provided respite and mental health support to parents and caregivers, helping them combat the stress, anxiety, and isolation that often accompany caregiving.
• Strengthened partnerships with local agencies and healthcare providers to connect families with critical resources such as health insurance navigation, therapies, and wellness programming.

Every story of progress—whether it’s a child taking their first independent steps, saying their first words, or learning to better self-regulate emotions—is a testament to the transformative power of compassionate, community-driven care. Thanks to the generosity of foundations like the Chatlos Foundation, DLC is able to continue building hope, resilience, and opportunity for families who need it most.

For more information about DLC or how to get involved, email Heather Corey at HCorey@DLCJAX.org.