As a general rule, RiteCare Clinics and Programs accept preschool-aged children who have difficulty speaking or understanding the spoken word or school-aged children who have difficulty learning to read. Some Centers also offer literacy training for adults.

The Southeast Alaska RiteCare Program is somewhat unique, in that we cover a large geographical area with very limited transportation options (primarily boat access, with air service in some communities). We are in the process of evaluating state-of-the-art telemedicine practices, accepted within the therapist community, to apply to our particular situation in addition to the traditional visit-based approach.

Eligibility for the program is completely independent of gender, race, creed, religion, Masonic affiliation, or the family's ability to pay. Each Clinic and Program evaluates itself annually to determine the number of new patient slots available.

The Mission Statement for the Alaska RiteCare Foundation is:

1. To provide clinical support to children with language disorders and to their families.
2. To create educational programs relating to childhood language disorders for the benefit of affected individuals, and for the education of the general public.
3. To support research programs in their efforts to solve the problems associated with language disorders in children.
   

For more information about the state Foundation and the current RiteCare Clinics in operation in Alaska, visit www.alaskascottishrite.org  and click on “Foundation.”