The Emerge Center Bloom program was created in 2013 to provide a multidisciplinary, therapy-rich, intensive program for young children with a diagnosis of autism.
Today, Emerge offers the tuition-based Full Day Bloom Program and the Preschool Program as a year-round interdisciplinary therapy program for children with autism and/or communication challenges.
– The Full Day Bloom Program is designed for children ages 2-4 with a diagnosis of autism who benefit from group and individual speech therapy, occupational therapy, and applied behavioral analysis (ABA). The Full-Day Bloom program is attended Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and has a cohort size of six children.
– The Preschool Program is designed for four-year-old children planning to enter Kindergarten the next school year. The Bloom Preschool is designed for children with or without a diagnosis or autism who benefit from a small class size but do not need 1:1 support. The Preschool Program is attended Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and has a cohort size of eight children.
Applications for the 2027-2028 Bloom year will be open from November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027 and can be completed here.
The Emerge Center will host a Bloom Open House on November 17th, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Emerge Center. Please click here to register for the Open House.
The Bloom Program is a tuition-based program with an annual tuition of $9,500. Insurance, including Medicaid, does not cover tuition costs. All families are encouraged to apply for scholarship funds through The Emerge Foundation to help offset this cost.
Scholarship funding is available to families and scholarship applications will open in January of 2027. Click here to access the Scholarship Application. Please note that this form will not be accessible until January of 2027.
When does the 2026-2027 Bloom program start and when does it end?
The 2026-2027 Bloom program starts in August 2026 and runs through July 2027. Applications for the 2027-2028 year will open on November 1, 2026 and will close January 31, 2027.
How does Emerge decide if my child will be accepted into the Bloom program?
Bloom placement is decided by a team of Emerge professionals and is based on many criteria including, but not limited to, the following:
- Does your child qualify for all therapies included in the Bloom program?
- Does your child tolerate and benefit from group learning settings?
- Bloom programs are made up of six to eight children. These children move through their day together. Does your child fit with other applicants to create a successful group?
- Does your child have significant interfering behaviors requiring 1:1 support?
Why do I have to pay tuition for the Bloom program? Why isn’t it covered by my insurance company?
Payment for the Bloom program is a hybrid design including both billable therapy times submitted to insurance and times covered by tuition that are not billable to insurance such as lunch time, rest time, and team meetings. Tuition also helps to cover the support staff (Speech and Occupational Therapy technicians) who are integral to the success of the program.
Tuition is not covered by insurance or Medicaid and is the responsibility of the applicant’s caregivers. Therapeutic services are billed to the applicant’s insurance as they occur and are contingent on approval and payment by insurance companies.
What are the tuition and fees for Full Day Bloom?
Tuition is $9,500 for a year or $791.67 per month for the Full Day Bloom and Preschool Bloom programs. There is a $1,000 combined application and supply fee that is due before the program starts.
Do I have to pay the entire tuition before starting Bloom?
No, tuition can be paid on a monthly or annual basis.
Is there financial assistance if I cannot afford to pay the tuition?
Yes, all applicants are encouraged to apply for scholarship funds through The Emerge Foundation. See the Scholarship tab on this page for more information. Families are notified of scholarship funds awarded at the time they are notified of acceptance into the program. Please note, these funds are limited, and the amount awarded depends on the amount available and the needs of the applicants.
What is the difference between Full Day Bloom and Preschool Bloom?
Full Day Bloom is designed for children who are ready for and can benefit from a full-day learning and therapy schedule (8am-3:30pm). The schedule maximizes active intervention time. Each day included a half day of Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy group and individual learning experiences and a half day of ABA therapy. Full Day Bloom also includes off-site field trips and regular Individualized Therapeutic Plan meetings in addition to on-site, hands-on extracurricular and holiday activities.
Preschool Bloom is designed for children who are 4 years old with developmental disabilities, and it does not require an autism diagnosis. The full-day program runs from 8am-2:30pm and includes Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. This program is beneficial as a transition year to prepare for a mainstream academic setting for the next school year. Preschool Bloom also includes off-site field trips and regular Individualized Therapeutic Plan meetings in addition to on-site, hands-on extracurricular and holiday activities.
Can I request my child to be in Full Day Bloom or Preschool Bloom?
No, this decision is made by the placement team. Your child will be placed in the program that best supports their individual needs.
surrounded by professionals who understand autism, communication challenges, and developmental delays, and work closely with your family to create an individualized plan for your child’s needs. In a nurturing, full-day environment, children build communication, independence, social, and school-readiness skills to prepare for their next step.
