In Jacksonville, Florida, this specialized educational institution, which caters to children with autism and other developmental challenges, has closed its doors. The school’s closure, attributed to the government shutdown, leaves many families in the area scrambling for alternatives.

The school’s Board of Directors communicated the decision to parents and guardians via email, stating that the temporary closure on October 20 would be permanent. As a private non-profit, The Jericho School focused on early developmental education, Applied Behavior Analysis, and speech therapy, essential services for the community it served.

“Despite our best efforts to sustain operations, the school has been severely impacted by the recent Federal government shutdown and delays in insurance payments, which are vital to our ability to serve students of military families. These disruptions have created an operating deficit that the school cannot overcome,” the board explained.

This development leaves numerous parents and children, already facing limited educational options, in search of new institutions that can meet their specific needs.

For over 30 years, the Jericho School has served as a lifeline for children with autism and their families.

Parents like Lauralyn Popp tell First Coast News the closure is deeply personal. Popp’s daughter Elizabeth began attending the Jericho School when she was five years old.

“She learned how to sit in a chair and do work and began the process of learning meaningful verbalization, meaningful communication with her mouth instead of the continual tantrums,” said Popp.

Elizabeth is now 31 years old and after two decades, Popp said her daughter is thriving thanks to the school.

“I can’t even begin to, to, to tell you the difference that this child has had as a result of being at the Jericho school,” she said, “She’s a beautiful pianist. She loves to do laundry. Her room looks is organized like a department store. It’s wonderful. She helps us cook.”

“It makes me so happy. She’s doing fabulous, wonderful,” said Popp.

As a longtime board member, donor and parent, Popp said the closure is devasting.

“I was very disappointed. I sat on their board for over 20 years. I make several $1000 donations to them every year,” she said.

Popp is now worried about what this means for other children who depend on the specialized programs at the school.

“Our priority now is to support our students and families through this transition,” wrote the Board of Directors. Families who need their student’s records, therapy documentation, or assistance finding new education or therapy options are advised to contact Angelo Martinez at the following email: info@thejerichoschool.org.

The consequences of the shutdown are soon to reach even further if Senate members cannot overcome a current impasse on funding. 

The USDA announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding will freeze on Nov. 1, impacting around 42 million people nationwide. Local food banks are already feeling the squeeze.