About Lifelong
Our History: Lifelong was founded in 1993 by Gary Macdonald, Ph.D. and Mary Costa, M.A. Dr. Macdonald focused both his training as a school psychologist and his doctoral research on adults with learning problems, and it was always his dream to establish a private practice where people with disabilities of all types could receive the support services they need. Our first offices were in Gary and Mary's rented Washington Park home and, in 1996, Gary left his position as director of the Special Learning Support Program at the Community College of Denver to join Mary full time in building the practice. In 1998, our first contract to serve Denver TANF participants with disabilities was signed and we were able to begin hiring therapists and teachers to fill the large service gaps we saw in the the Denver Metro area. In the early 2000's we began to work with other Works programs including both A/D Works and TriCounty Works (JeffCo) programs. Every new day brings a new and unique challenge for us as we serve many of the hardest-to-serve individuals in Colorado's various TANF and Works programs, and we always look forward to sharing in their successes and supporting them through their setbacks. We currently have agreements or contracts to serve clients with disabilities with Denver's Office of Economic Development-Workforce Development (OED-WD), Denver's Child Protection Services, Jefferson County Works and Human Services programs, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and most of the community centered boards who serve people with developmental disabilities. You can find some sample proposals we have submitted to these agencies over the years here.
We also continue to see private referrals who are experiencing learning or performance problems at school and work. We are excited about the future as we continue to grow and expand our services for people with special needs across their lifespans. Our current staff of therapists, teachers, and disability specialists has evolved into a dedicated and experienced team ready to handle most of the home, work, emotional, and learning issues faced by individuals with disabilities and other barriers to their success.
Our Mission: Lifelong Adult Education Services, Inc.
provides a comprehensive program of special educational and
psychological services for adults and adolescents with mild to severe
disabilities in the