978-475-3806 www.theprofessionalcenter.org

32 Osgood Street Andover, MA 01810

&

439 S. Union Street Building 1, Suite 110 Lawrence, MA 01843

978-688-5070

Spring- 2015 Volume 19, Issue 2

E arly Intervention (EI) can have a profound impact on the quality of life for children with

developmental delays and their fami-lies

From the moment your child enters the world they start learning about you, themselves and the world around them. The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby's development.

It is common for parents and family members to become concerned when their baby or growing toddler doesn’t seem to be developing according to the “typical” schedule of baby mile-stones. You are your baby’s very first and best teacher and no one knows your baby better than you.

While it’s true that children develop differently, at their own pace, and that the range of what is “typical” develop-ment is quite broad, it’s hard not to worry and wonder.

If you are concerned about your child’s development, whether it’s their

communication, social skills or behav-iors, then you should begin seeking information and assistance as soon as you can. It is best to not take a “wait and see” approach to children’s development. Unfortunately, the long-er you wait the more difficulty you and your child may have. The earlier a problem is identified, the earlier intervention can begin, and the more likely your child is to learn the skills they need to communicate, engage in social interactions, and manage their behavior. Even if you’re waiting for an official diagnosis, you shouldn’t be waiting to start intervention. If you think

Early Detection...Later Success

Developmental Day School

Loving Literacy "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,

to pick up a book and read with a child." Dr. Seuss

L earning through literacy is a process that starts early and continues throughout our lifetime. Literacy provides opportunities to engage in experiences that help us expand our knowledge and understanding

of our world in many varied ways. In the Developmental Day School literacy is a key component of the program as it offers so many great educational and social benefits. We provide a school environment rich in experiences that promote literacy skill development for students at every age, grade and developmental level.

~ Continued on Page 2

there is something that needs to be addressed, get the information, services and training you need to address it.

~ Continued on Page 6

From The Desk of the Executive Director

Early spring here at the Center has been great fun even on some cool rainy days. There are a number of projects to work on even if we have to stay indoors. When most of the snow was melting , we were out on the playground having a great time on the swings, slides and riding toys. The children and staff enjoyed cheering for their favorite teams as they entered the playoff season. In March, we welcomed some of our legislators to come to school with children from their communities. Each legislator joined their student in the classroom for a brief period in the morning. After the classroom visits, we invited each legislator to join some of the staff and parents for coffee and conversation. Everyone really enjoyed the event.

Our Spring Gala, on May 1ST

was very special as we celebrated the career and retirement of Sandy Levine, our Early Intervention Program Director for the past 35 years. It was a great party for a very special person.

We are looking forward to warmer days and sunshine in the near future. We plan to enjoy our garden and playground over the next few spring and summer months.

Please save the date for our Annual Trot for Special Tots on Sunday, October 5, 2015. See you there.

Veryl D. Anderson

Veryl D. Anderson, RN—Executive Director

Veryl Anderson, RN PCCD Co-Founder and Executive

978-475-3806 www.theprofessionalcenter.org Page 2

~ Continued from page 1 Loving Literacy

One way we encourage literacy is through books. Whether reading or being read to, whether following words or pictures, who doesn’t love being engaged with a great story! Our school library encourages this joy of reading. Every other Tuesday students take their library cards and go to our library area to choose a book. Our fabulous librarian Miss Rhonda arranges a nice variety of choices and helps students pick their book. We can support the curriculum by highlighting books that relate to our theme and weekly activities, and we can offer selections based on current events, or special interests of students. Books are sent home in a book bag to be read and enjoyed at home. When books are returned teachers follow up with students by talking about the story and asking questions such as: “Did you like the book?”, “Who did you read with?”, “What was your book about?”, etc…. It’s a great way to

encourage communication, comprehension, vocabulary, as well as other helpful skills in a fun and meaningful way.

We also promote and enjoy reading through our Community Guest Reader Program. Throughout the year we invite people from the commu-nity to come and share a few of their favorite books with us. We have had a legislator, banker, radio personality, and newspaper editor just to name a few. All our guests have been engaging and enthusiastic in sharing their love of reading. A very special “Thank You” goes to Ellen Waddill who coordinates our Guest Reader Program.

~ Linda Sliwoski, M.Ed. , Day School Director

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A Warm PCCD Welcome To Our New Staff! Whitney Collins, Developmental Specialist (Welcome Back!) Kristina O’Toole-Montgomery, Social Worker Dorene Webb, Administrative Assistant, Intake Holly Dickinson Amidon, Developmental Specialist

Nicole Gaudette, Occupational Therapist

We are always looking for caring and dedicated people to join our Early Intervention Program. If you know an educator or therapist who would like to do meaningful work in our community, please refer them to us! I love to talk about working at PCCD!

-- Kristin Kinsella, Human Resources Manager

Exciting opportunity for Early Intervention families

We are excited to announce that Several PCCD staff are participating in an online training program on the use of The Developmental Play Assessment. This is a tool developed by the Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology at Northeastern University. We are also assisting Northeastern University with identify-ing families that are interested in having their child’s play skills assessed through Project Play*, using this tool. The assessments can take place in the children’s home or childcare center and are for children ages 8 months to 5 years. There is no cost for this assessment and families will receive a $25 gift card and educational toy for their child along with a written copy of the play assessment. Please feel free to contact Cheryl Bruk, PCCD EI Program Director for more information , or Project Play directly at 617-373-3297 or projectplay@neu.edu. There is also more information at www.neu.edu/projectplay.

Project Play is a research project at Northeastern University focused on developments in play, given the importance of play activities for

young children. A major goal is the creation of the professional version of the Developmental Play Assessment (DPA-P)

for determining a child’s progress in play.

~ Cheryl Bruk MS, CCC-SLP Early Intervention Program Director

PCCD Special Events & Workshops

Andrea Bradstreet, Developmental Specialist Rebekah Marcotte, Mental Health Counselor Ashley Howe, Registered Nurse Susan Donato, Occupational Therapist Melissa Bruton, Occupational Therapist

May 21, 2015 ~ RCP Parents Night Out June 6, 2015 ~ Donuts W/ Dad on the playground 9:00 AM June 18, 2015 ~ RCP Parents Night Out Summer 2015 ~ Bedtime Story Hour & Pajama Music Time, TBA October 4, 2015 ~ Trot for Special Tots (5K road race and 1M walk)

For more info contact ext. 217 Ellen@TheProfessionalCenter.org

All events are at the Andover site

unless otherwise stated.

The Northeast Regional Consultation Program, an “add-on” to Early

Intervention for children with special healthcare needs, enjoyed a visit

from Barn Babies. The baby animals were diapered and some

swaddled to enable the children to pat and play with them. There were

piglets, kids (baby goats), lambs, bunnies, puppies, kittens, chicks and

ducklings. To the children’s delight a goat name Valentine escaped

from his pen early in the evening. Children were able to feed him from a

bottle or play tag as he cavorted around the room. Here are some

photographs of the beautiful children and animals.

By: Rachel Daniels, MS, OTR/L, ATP Northeast Regional Consultation Program

Director

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Two-by-Two News

It may have been cold and snowy during the winter months but the children at PCCD 2x2 toddler play groups & parent groups kept busy exploring senso-ry tables with snow, foam and play dough. They created art projects that were hung on classroom bulletin boards & they played with a variety of fine motor manipulatives; beads, peg boards and puzzles. Ms. Susie our music therapist engage the children in a variety of songs, finger plays and musical movement activities. Because of the cold weather and large amounts of snow we were not able to use our playground but the children did use the two motor rooms in our building to work on

gross motor development. They had opportunities to swing, jump, run, slide and play ball with peers and staff.

Children in our groups have many opportunities to play, explore, socialize, and follow daily routines that allow for cognitive, language, motor, & social development .

The priority for children attending our groups is for the children to learn how to become independent from a parent/caregiver, make new friends, feel safe and secure in a new environment and most importantly be happy and have fun in our groups at PCCD.

We thank all of the families for choosing PCCD for their child's first educa-tional experience.

By: Aimee Phleger, CEIS EI Ed/Group Coordinator

Members Ms. Julie Palmaccio

Ms. Tara Wilson

Exec. Director, Veryl Anderson

Thank you for your time & treasure

Officers Mr. Brian Latina, Chairman

Mr. Neal Beswick, Vice Chair

Mr. John DeCourcy, Treasurer

Mr. Linda Sweeney, Clerk

Name: April Brown-Lebron, M.S. Education: Wheelock College, BS

Wheelock College, MS in Child & Family Studies (specializing in parent education)

Position: Early Intervention

Developmental Specialist

Years at the PCCD: 3 years

Thoughts about working at the PCCD: “I am happy to work with a stellar group of professionals; I have learned so much from my colleagues. My passion is working with young parents in Early In-tervention. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to do the work I love and help people at the same time.

Name: Cheryl Bruk MS, CCC-SLP, CEIS Education: Northeastern University BS,

Emerson College MS in Speech Language Pathology Position: Early Intervention Program Director

Years at PCCD: Celebrating 25 years this May!

Thoughts about working at the PCCD: “I began working at PCCD over 25 years ago when I was a student entering graduate school. I was so impressed with the staff and really enjoyed the family feel of the center. Over the past 25 years, with the support of many, my role has evolved from student to therapist to team leader and now to program director. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the fulfillment I feel, every day, working with our staff and the amazing children and families we serve.”

Staff Spotlight

Name: Bridget Braverman, MS, RN Education: Syracuse University, BS.

Wheelock College, MS. Lawrence Memorial/Regis School of Nursing

Position: Developmental Day School Nurse

Years at PCCD: 5 Years

Thoughts about working at the PCCD: “ The genuine compassion and dedication of the staff here at PCCD is unique. People who work here LOVE what they do. To work at a place where one loves what they do and can do it with such wonderful people - I would say…. Best job ever!”

978-475-3806 www.theprofessionalcenter.org Page 5

Thanks for sharing your story at our Legislative Event,

“Bring Your Legislator To School Day”

► Mr. Albert Piccolo,

Grandfather of Everett (pictured below)

► Ms. Leigh Ferrantino,

Mother of Kaitlyn

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~ Continued from page 1 Early Detection… Later Success

The best place to start is to discuss your con-cerns with your child’s pediatrician. They may suggest that your child be evaluated for a developmental delay and seek EI services.

Positive early experiences are essential prereq-uisites for later success in school, the work-place, and the community. Early Intervention delivered to young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays have been shown to positively impact outcomes across developmental domains, including health, lan-guage and communication, cognitive develop-ment and social/emotional development. Fami-lies benefit from Early Intervention by being able to better meet their children’s special needs from an early age and throughout their lives.

What is Early Intervention? Early Intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with develop-mental delays or disabilities. Early Interven-tion focuses on helping babies and toddlers learn the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life, such as: physical (rolling, crawling, and walking); cognitive (thinking or solving problems); communication (talking, listening, under-

standing); social/emotional (playing, feeling secure

and happy); and self-help (eating, dressing).

The program provides early identification and developmental services for families of infants and toddlers, ages birth through three.

Some of the services offered include: A full assessment of a child's current health

and development status. Service coordination among providers,

programs and agencies. Strategies to build on family concerns,

priorities, & resources (CPR). Developmental services: physical, occupa-

tional, speech/language therapies, etc.

These services are provided through the coordinated effort of parents, community agencies, and a variety of professionals.

Why start intervention so early? Research shows that children who receive intensive Early Intervention services are more likely to have improved long-term outcomes. These services can maximize their learning potential by addressing communication, play, problem behaviors and overall skill develop-ment from a very early age. We know, through extensive brain research, that neural plasticity (the brain’s ability to learn new skills) decreas-es with age.

Behaviorally speaking, as we all age and grow the skills we have learned which are effective and efficient will be more difficult to change due to a longer history of reinforcement. Therefore the earlier we intervene to address an individu-al’s difficulties with communication, social inter-actions and problem behaviors the more likely we are to elicit quick and positive change.

To access EI in Massachusetts,

simply call. There are over 50 EI Programs

in the Commonwealth,

each with specific catchment areas.

The Central Directory for Early Intervention is at www.MassFamilyTIES.org.

The Professional Center for Child Development is the provider for families living in Andover,

North Andover, Lawrence & Methuen. Call PCCD for more information

978-475-3806, or go to our website at www.theprofessionalcenter.org.

~ Kim Briggs M.Ed. CCC-SLP Pediatric Therapy Program Director

Family Rights in Early Intervention Services

In your intake packet, each family received a brochure on family rights in EI. If you would like another copy, please ask your service coordinator. If more information is needed, The Department of Public Health has written standards for the operation of Early Intervention Programs and written procedures that protect your rights. You may get a copy of these at The PCCD or by going on the DPH web site. Early Intervention services in Massachusetts are provided in compliance with federal regulations.

Family TIES of Massachusetts

(TIES—Together In Enhancing Support) A statewide information and support network for fami-

lies of children with disabilities, special health care needs, or chronic illness.

MassFamilyTies.org 1-800-905-TIES

You can make The Professional Center for Child Development even better… ~ Join the Friends of The Center ~

~ Volunteer for an event ~

`~

This newsletter is designed to share information with families

colleagues, the community, and contributors. The newsletter is

coordinated by Ellen Waddill (the PCCD Parent Liaison) and is edited

by Ellen, Emily Knapp, those who write articles & other PCCD staff.

To contribute articles, stories, poetry, etc., please call

Ellen at ext. 217 or Ellen@TheProfessionalcenter.org

Family Involvement in Early Intervention

Parent Leadership Project 1-877-35-EI-PLP

The Project’s main goal is to promote lifetime advocacy and leadership skills, and work to develop an informed parent constituency which will, in turn, encourage Early Intervention services to be increasingly family centered. As a parent initiated and parent driven endeavor, the PLP continually seeks family input regarding the needs of EI families in our state. Identifying these needs helps determine future direction for the project as well as the EI system as a whole.

The Parent Perspective is a free newsletter written by and for parents distributed 8 times a year. Parents are invited to submit articles. The Professional Center frequently submits articles and information to this publication. contact the PLP to receive the newsletter.

Become more involved…

Join a statewide committee or task group with The Massachusetts Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC).

“Friends of The Center” Thank you for your gift

Enclosed is my tax deductible gift to help The PCCD provide services and support for families and children as has been done for over 4 decades. With your help, PCCD will expand services,

develop new programs, and make facility improvements.

$50 _____ $100 _____ $250 _____ $500 _____ $1000 _____ A thank you gift in honor of a child in my life _____

Name and address of contributor (please print) Email: _________________________________

Name: _________________________ Address: ______________________________________

Address: ________________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________

( ) My gift will be match by my employer ______________________________________

My gift is in memory of: _______________________________ (Please cut and send in)

Family Rights in Early Intervention Services

In your intake packet, each family received a brochure on family rights in EI. If you would like another copy, please ask your service coordinator. If more information is needed, The Department of Public Health has written standards for the operation of Early Intervention Programs and written procedures that protect your rights. You may get a copy of these at The PCCD or by going on the DPH web site. Early Intervention services in Massachusetts are provided in compliance with federal regulations.

Family Involvement in Early Intervention

Parent Leadership Project 1-877-35-EI-PLP

The Project’s main goal is to promote lifetime advocacy and leadership skills, and work to develop an informed parent constituency which will, in turn, encourage Early Intervention services to be increasingly family centered. As a parent initiated and parent driven endeavor, the PLP continually seeks family input regarding the needs of EI families in our state. Identifying these needs helps determine future direction for the project as well as the EI system as a whole.

The Parent Perspective is a free newsletter written by and for parents distributed 8 times a year. Parents are invited to submit articles. The Professional Center frequently submits articles and information to this publication. contact the PLP to receive the newsletter.

Become more involved…

Join a statewide committee or task group with The

Massachusetts Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC).

This newsletter is designed to share information with families

colleagues, the community, and contributors. The newsletter is

coordinated by Ellen Waddill (the PCCD Parent Liaison) and is edited

by Ellen, Emily Knapp, those who write articles & other PCCD staff.

To contribute articles, stories, poetry, etc., please call

Ellen at Ext. 217 or Ellen@TheProfessionalcenter.org

Family TIES of Massachusetts

(TIES—Together In Enhancing Support) A statewide information and support network for fami-

lies of children with disabilities, special health care needs, or chronic illness.

MassFamilyTies.org 1-800-905-TIES

You can make The Professional Center for Child Development even better… ~ Join the Friends of The Center ~

~ Volunteer for an event ~

978-475-3806 www.theprofessionalcenter.org Page 7

Our Mission…

Eliminate Barriers to Growth and Development for Children birth to age 10.

Our Mission is to provide educational and therapeutic services for children of all abilities and their families, working with each child to develop to his or her full potential.

We strive to eliminate barriers to growth and development for children with disabilities and families coping with health issues and challenges.

The Professional Center for Child Development places children on a path leading to achievement by providing support services so that children of all abilities may remain in

a secure environment, teaching parents and caregivers to be successful advocates for children, working to transition children into settings beyond our classrooms and

educating public organizations on how to provide continued community-based support for children with and without special needs.

PTP Happenings (Private Therapy Program)

The Great Summer Adventure is getting ready for another fun-filled summer. We have made some small changes to the program. We will hold classes on Mon-days, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, same time 9:00am to 11:45am. Classes will run from July 6

th- August 14

th.

The 2x3 Preschool has ongoing enrollment and is accepting applications for the Fall, 2015 school year.

The Saturday Play Pals group, a social skills group, is in full swing. This program also has ongoing enrollment. This group is held on Saturdays, 10:00am to 11:30am at our Andover site. Private Therapy services are available for Speech, Occupational and Physical therapies. These are individual sessions for 1 hour.

For more information, Please contact Kim Briggs, M.Ed. CCC-SLP at ext. 226 or

email: ptp@theprofessionalcenter.org

Thank

You... Our Premier spon-

sor (Credit Unions Kids at Heart) and all of

the Gala supporters.

Auction donors

Volunteers

2015 Gala Committee

PCCD Staff and families

Donuts W/ Dad on the playground

Saturday 9:00 AM — June 6, 2015 32 Osgood Street, Andover

Join other PCCD families for an hour of play time on Saturday morning

out on the playground.

Enjoy a donut with Dad (or special friend) along with some fun & fresh air

RSVP to : Ellen@TheProfessionalCenter.org

*No rain date for this event