THE HISTORY OF THE OPEN DOOR

The Open Door was started in 1975 when a family searched in vain to locate a child care program which would accept both of their children: a typically developing preschooler and a toddler with Down syndrome. From that frustrating search an idea was born - to offer a program which integrates developmentally challenged children into a quality child care setting.

Money was raised through donations and fundraising activities, volunteers were recruited, and the Open Door began accepting children in the fall of 1975. The school attracted the support of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health which assisted with funding for the school's first two years of operation. The Trull Foundation, the Lack Foundation, the Cameron Foundation, and the Lola Wright Foundation have assisted the Open Door through the years. The City of Austin and Travis County as well as foundations help fund the provision of sliding scale tuition for low-income families. We are a partner agency of United Way Capital Area. Approximately 67% of the program is funded by parent tuition and fees.

From its first class of nine children, the Open Door now consists of two preschools serving a total of 140 children at any given time. Both schools serve children from infancy through age 5, and offer an after-school program for elementary aged children. Approximately 25% of our children have special needs or are considered to be at high risk. About 37% of our families receive tuition subsidies.