To offset the downside of current budget crises and limitations of covered services within the community, PAUSE4kids is offering financial relief for local families of special needs children.

PAUSE4kids, a Thousand Oaksbased nonprofit organization, awards scholarships to special needs children on a regular basis throughout the year.

Families who meet the qualifications will be awarded funds for applicable services or programs, such as those related to social skills, educational therapy, sibling support groups, camps, gymnastics and advocacy training.

Discovery Services Group (also known as BMod Fitness), a recent winner of the Service Provider of the Year Award by the Ventura County Autism Society, is an example of a service or program that meets the PAUSE4kids scholarship requirement.

Discovery Services Group offers a combination of social, fitness, behavior modification and sensory integration training.

It is the organization's philosophy that a gym is a level playing field for typical and special needs peers to interact, learn and grow at their own individual pace, with dramatic end results.

To apply, visit the website pause4kids.org/scholarship.php or call Susan Baukus at (818) 554-9512.

For more information, go to www.pause4kids.org.