Mission:

Our mission is to be an organization of excellence that provides superior services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs to help them realize their full potential and maximize self-sufficiency.

Laradon began as an "alternative school" over 56 years ago. Today, the school is one of many programs recognizing and meeting the diverse needs of infants, toddlers, adolescents, adults and senior citizens with developmental disabilities and other special needs. Laradon has two operating divisions: Adult Services and Children's Services. Through these two divisions, Laradon serves an average of 350 children and adults representing 500 enrollments throughout the State.

Programs: 

Laradon's Adult Services division provides programs and services to adults 18 years of age or older. Adult Services offers eight programs which represents 64% of Laradon's total enrollment.

Laradon's Residential Department: Laradon's Residential programs provide adult participants with opportunities to choose a home which best meets their needs and to work toward independent living and self-sufficiency. Two residential programs are offered to participants.
Laradon's Community & Employment Services Department: The day program component of the Adult Services Division is the Community & Employment Services (CES) department. CES offers a variety of day programs and services for adults and seniors with developmental disabilities that are geared toward job acquisition, inclusion in the community and the development of social, communication and interpersonal skills.

Laradon's Children's Services division provides programs and services to infants, toddlers, children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and other special needs. Children's Services offers three programs, which represents 36% of Laradon's total enrollments.

Family, Infant & Toddler (FIT) Program: The FIT program offers therapeutic services for children from birth to age 3 who have developmental disabilities or are identified as being at-risk for developmental delays. Educational and support services are provided to the families at various community sites.
Laradon's Alternative School Program: The School program is an alternative school, which offers a specialized curriculum, designed to meet the needs of students with a dual diagnosis, from the ages of 5 to 21 years old, in a highly structured environment. The school facility, located on Laradon's main campus in north Denver, has ten classrooms. There is a 1 to 2 staff/student ratio, with a maximum of eight students, a certified special education teacher and teacher's assistants in each classroom.
The Children's Host Home/Foster Care Program: The Host Home program offers an alternative residential setting for children and adolescents in which an individual or family provides residential services in their home. The children live in a home, where a therapeutic nurturing environment is provided on a 24-hour basis. Laradon staff provides the Host Home provider with training, guidance and support.

Proceeds received through vehicle donations would help to fund the Family Infant Toddler Program and the Medically Fragile Program.