The FLLAC Educational Collaborative was founded in 1975 by the Fitchburg, Leominster and Clinton School Districts as an educational collaborative under MA General Law (MGL) 40B. In 1976 the Lancaster Public Schools joined the Collaborative and FLLAC was born. Since then FLLAC has grown to include Ayer, Shirley, Lunenburg, Gardner, West Boylston, Ashburnham-Westminster, and the Wachusett Regional Districts.
In the 70’s and 80’s all FLLAC programs were located in leased space in the City of Fitchburg. In the 90’s additional FLLAC Satellite Programs were developed and housed in public school programs within our member districts. This allowed FLLAC Satellite students to take advantage of all of the opportunities for inclusion, socialization and enrichment available to their public school peers.
Through the years FLLAC has developed programs to serve a wide range of students including students with developmental disabilities, autism, emotional and behavioral issues and mental health concerns. Currently the Collaborative provides educational programs in both public school space and in separate locations as “Public/Private Day Programs. FLLAC also provides a 45 Day Intermediate Alternate Educational Service (IAES) for students in need of short term evaluation and testing services.
FLLAC provides school districts with highly specialized support and consultation services including direct service, case load and consultation in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), Assistive and Instructional Technology (AT), Orientation and Mobility, Vision and Classroom and Behavior Management. Through our Extensive Professional Development Program we provide training to FLLAC and district staff in topics such as restraint (CPI), Legal Issues, Assessment, English Language Learners (ELL) and Sensory Integration (SI).
