The Lincoln Uinta Child Development Association (LUCDA) in Kemmerer continues to provide essential early childhood education and family support services. LUCDA’s mission is to help young children and their families through high-quality programs, including special education and comprehensive support services.
Focused on helping young learners during their crucial formative years, LUCDA’s slogan, “helping small hands do big things,” emphasizes growth and learning. The program receives funding from the Department of Education, the Department of Health, and the federal Head Start Program.
Amy Schaffarzick, a speech-language pathologist at the Kemmerer Child Development Center (KCDC), explained that LUCDA is both state and federally funded. She highlighted one of the center’s key strengths: early developmental screenings, which are conducted by certified teachers every fall.
“We take pride in our staff-to-student ratio,” Schaffarzick said. “Kids get a lot of hands-on attention from our staff.”
Children enrolled at LUCDA undergo an initial screening process, followed by continuous monitoring of their development. LUCDA places significant importance on early intervention, particularly for children aged zero to five. This period is vital for brain development, language skills, and social-emotional growth.
Research shows that early services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and special education can improve long-term outcomes for children with developmental delays or disabilities. These services help children develop cognitive, motor, and social skills, while also empowering families to better support and advocate for their child’s needs.
By identifying developmental concerns early, LUCDA ensures that children in the Head Start and preschool programs have a strong foundation for their education. The center follows a play-based approach to learning, promoting curiosity, creativity, and confidence through hands-on experiences.
In addition to early education, LUCDA provides personalized support through special education services for children with varying learning needs. The Kemmerer team includes certified teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and special education specialists. Mental health support is also available to ensure social-emotional well-being, while family resource specialists help connect families with essential resources.
Currently, LUCDA’s Kemmerer location serves 12 Head Start students. Schaffarzick expressed the center’s commitment to making learning enjoyable for children.
“We want to teach kids that learning is fun,” she said. “Our goal is to inspire a love for school from an early age.”
LUCDA will hold its next developmental screening in Kemmerer on August 6 and 7, from noon to 3 p.m. Families interested in scheduling a screening or registering for preschool can call the Kemmerer Child Development Center at 307-877-6984 or contact KCDC on Facebook.
In addition to its services in Kemmerer, LUCDA also operates in Evanston and the Bridger Valley. The organization recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.
