ST. HELENS – The Northwest Regional Education Service District’s Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education program in Columbia County has received a community grant of $1,964.36 from the Fred Meyer Foundation.

The ESD’s Early Intervention program provides special education services to children younger than 3 who demonstrate significant delays in their development. Children age 3 to kindergarten are served in the Early Childhood Special Education program. Approximately 1,000 children receive services each year in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties. Eighty-six children are currently being served in Columbia County, where the grant will be utilized.

“The Fred Meyer Foundation was particularly impressed by the successful track record of Northwest Regional ESD and its programs,” said Mary Loftin, vice president of community relations for Fred Meyer and executive director of The Fred Meyer Foundation. “We hope this community grant will help the ESD’s Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education program in Columbia County continue the important work it is doing to enrich the health of the community.”

For information on the Northwest Regional ESD’s Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education program, visit (www.nwresd.k12.or.us)