Believing all children deserve the opportunity to succeed in their schools
and their communities.
"What if every child, regardless of ability or background, is given a pathway to success? With CMF Kids, Crotched Mountain will lend its expertise, networks, and resources to empower school districts in communities with the highest poverty rates to strengthen educational outcomes for students with complex disabilities."
Ned Olney, President and CEO of Crotched Mountain Foundation
Our groundbreaking partnership program with New Hampshire’s most economically disadvantaged school districts strengthens special education programs and improves educational outcomes for children with complex disabilities.
Click here to view our CMF Kids Priorities!
CMF Kids is committed to improving educational outcomes for the hardest to reach children with disabilities. We believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in school and in their own communities.
For more information, contact Melissa H. White, Executive Director of CMF Kids at melissa.white@crotchedmountain.org.
CMF Kids News
The CMF Kids Promise
We will...
Brewing Up Some Impact
Berlin Middle-High School is a CMF Kids partner, and used the CMF Kids partnership award to support the coffee cafe, which provides real-world retail experience for students in its special education program.
The school’s Coffee Cart Café emulates the inspirational business model of Bitty’s and Beau’s Coffee, a nationwide cafe that provides employment opportunities to people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. '
As part of the CMF Kids partnership award, Berlin students were able to take a field trip to Bitty and Beau’s in Boston - and ended up having an adventure to treasure for all time! Video courtesy of Berlin Middle-High School.
We Invest In:
Programs that improve school culture and lead to better rates of inclusion for children with disabilities
- Schools that improve rates of inclusion for children with disabilities
- Programs designed to retain children with complex disabilities within their district setting
- Safe cultures of inclusion for students with disabilities and their families
Training initiatives that elevate the skills of special and general education teachers and paraprofessionals
- Districts that are cultivating stronger workforces to meet the needs of children with disabilities
Resources that provide greater access to the community and all its offerings
- Resources that advance classroom special education instruction and learning environments
- Districts striving to improve reading and math skills for students with disabilities
Opportunities that leverage vocational training and post-secondary transition readiness
- Vocational training and community work placements opportunities that prepare students for competitive employment
- Transitional support services that foster students successful transition to adulthood
Activities that engage more families in the Individual Education Plan process and special education services
- Schools that foster family engagement in special education services and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process
CMF Kids Special Education
Advisory Group
Jane Bergeron – Beaulieu, M.ED (CMF Director)
David Blaiklock, Ph.D. (CMF Trustee)
Rebekah Cocco, MSW (Social Work Coordinator)
Dr. William C. Cooley, MD (CMF Trustee)
Carol Schapira, M.ED (CMF Trustee)
Cindy Yuknewicz (CMF Director)
CMF Kids Fast Facts
School District Partners
- Berlin School District
- Milan School District
- Lisbon Regional School District
- Littleton School District
- Manchester School District
- Milan School District
- Nashua School District
- Newport School District
- Northumberland, Stratford and Stark School District
- White Mountain Regional School District
Supported Programs/Activities
- School District Partnership Support through CMF Kids is approximately 1M a year in support of special education initiatives to improve educational outcomes for students ages 3 – 22 with disabilities such as autism, developmental delay, speech and language disorders, health impairments, etc
- Leveraging resources to help implement a teacher and staff professional development
- Supporting a district-wide comprehensive needs assessment of special education services
- Elevating the skills of paraeducators through a nationally endorsed behavioral technician training program
- Helping enhance school culture with a training on inclusive education of students with disabilities and their families
- Championing community-based educational activities that further student outcomes and independence through hands on vocational learning
Award Amount
- To date, $3 million has been invested in strengthening special education outcomes in NH's poorest communities
“CMF Kids and Crotched Mountain are contributing to the independence of fine young adults who might not ordinarily have opportunities to show what they can accomplish.”
Martha Miller, Director of Special Services, Berlin Public Schools
Click below to read all about CMF Kids in the fall 2021 edition of Horizons.
