East African Responsive Program

Cultural partnership. Responsive care.  

At St. David’s, we believe culturally responsive care is essential. That’s why, in partnership with East African community members and leaders, we created Minnesota’s first Culturally Responsive East African Day Treatment program in 2011.

This program was built with—not for—the community. Together, we have designed a preschool day treatment model that honors cultural values, builds trust, and meets families where they are. Our team includes mental health therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and paraprofessionals—many of whom are East African themselves. Together, our teams bring deep cultural knowledge, language fluency, and a shared commitment to supporting families through autism and other diagnoses in ways that feel familiar, respectful, and empowering.

Children participate in small-group sessions that follow a school-like rhythm filled with play, connection, and learning. Our therapists focus on building social interaction, communication, sensory processing, and self-regulation skills—while also equipping families with strategies they can use at home.

This is more than therapy. It’s a partnership rooted in trust, shared experience, and the belief that every child can to thrive.