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VINELAND - The state Department of Children and Families Regional Day School on Sherman Avenue has operated in relative anonymity for decades, providing services to physically, developmentally and emotionally disabled children.

On Monday, workers at the school and members of the union representing them set up a table at the curb to try to raise awareness of the small school - and to build support to keep it open.



The DCF plans to close 18 regional schools over the next year, saving about $4 million.

"We want to try to get out to the public that these children need this school," said Mattie Harrell, president of AFSCME Local 2215, which represents workers at the Vineland and Egg Harbor Township schools. "Many of them tried a regular school, and it just didn't work. This is the last stop for them."

The schools were created to help disabled children who are wards of the state, but few of those children remain. Most of the 560 students statewide are placed at the schools by their public school districts, which pay tuition to cover the bulk of the cost. Other area Day Schools are in Middle Township and Toms River.

The Atlantic County Regional Day School houses a Project TEACH program for teen mothers and their children and is scheduled to close this summer. The Atlantic City School District is in talks with the state to take over the program.

Parents at the Vineland school, which serves about 26 severely physically and emotionally disabled students, are concerned because there is no other specialized school for their children in Cumberland county. They are worried their children might get moved back to a regular public school or be required to travel to another county to attend a special-services school.

"I think we did get some attention," said Grissel Ayala, whose son attends the Sherman Avenue school. "A lot of cars slowed down and beeped."

DCF spokeswoman Kate Bernyk said the Vineland school will be in the second phase of closings, and the DCF will work with local districts to find appropriate placements for all the children. She said the Statewide Parents Advocacy Network, or SPAN, also has volunteered to assist in the process.

Harrell said some students tried to attend regular public school but returned to the Day School.

"They have serious problems, and other kids can be mean," she said. "This is a safe haven for them."

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, visited the Vineland school last month and spoke to DCF Commissioner Kimberly Ricketts. He said last week that he wants to be sure the students get the services they need, but he could not say whether the school might remain open. He said it is ironic that with all of the criticism of state government, the DCF wants to close schools that have gotten only praise from parents.

"The parents are saying the DCF is doing a good job here, and they just want it to continue," he said. "We need a commitment to these children. They cannot just be integrated into a regular school."

Ayala said parents also plan to attend Wednesday's hearing on the DCF budget. A rally by all the schools is planned for June at the Statehouse.

E-mail Diane D'Amico:

DDamico@pressofac.com