DaZona Life and Learning Center operates on funds received from the state (approx. $23 per day per client) and fundraising. The expenses of running such a private day hab with the client services, outreach and learning tools are at least double this. Some of the employees, parents and supporters of DaZona have come together to establish SpecialScents; we are optimistic that the sale of items on this site will provide the additional funding needed for DaZona to provide quality services to the clients. As DaZona begins its fourth year of being in business, we are ready to introduce our program to the public.
DaZona Life and Learning Center is named after Debbie King Mabray’s grandparents, Sydney David and Zona Tilley King to honor them for their loving and charitable deeds to everyone they knew. Debbie’s father merged their names to create “DaZona”.
Why was DaZona created? Tyler David Mabray, the youngest son of Tim and Debbie began having seizures at 9 months of age. By 15 months, injury to the brain had occurred, leaving Ty intellectually developmentally delayed. Along with the IDD, seizure disorder (frequent tonic clinic generalized), he was diagnosed with mild cerbral palsy and mild autism. Upon high school graduation, Tim and Debbie were not satisfied with local programs available to Tyler. Debbie taught in Killeen I.S.D. for 20 years as well as writing and developing curriculum and programs in addition to being a therapist. Since she could not find a program suited to encouraging ongoing development for Tyler, she developed a pilot program originally called DaZona Learning for Life . This is unlike any program currently available. The data collections show no plateauing of IDD clients; performance growth and problem solving and language skills CONTINUE to grow. Nonverbal autistic clients have begun verbal communications.
DaZona has been a blessing for our children (18 and older). They accept adults, IQ mid-range 42-59, non-violent. Local Bachelor and Masters level students do internships there; LPC Interns and LMFT Associates also do their post licensure hours there, mostly as employees. The DaZona director position is always held by a capable and dedicated post licensure intern.
Like DaZona Life and Learning Center on Facebook. Visit us in Killeen (by appointment only).
We encourage you to visit the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DaZonaLifeandLearning/ to learn more about this incredible program and to help us support the special needs community.