inside the institute, spring 2015

INSIDEINSTITUTET

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A quarterly newsletter from Siskin Children’s Institute

Creative Movement Gets Kids Moving >> p3

365 Club to Launch Smartphone App

>> p5

Partnership with Library Expands Reach >> p4

2 • SCI Newsletter • Mar-May 2015

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016

Executive CommitteeTom White, Chair

Dr. Mary Tanner, Vice ChairJo Ann Yates, Secretary

Paul Loftin, TreasurerScott LeRoy, Past Chair

Ross I. Schram III, Human Resources Committee Chair

David BinderJulie Brandao

Greg EavesDr. Monica Gefter

Dr. Marvin HallR. Craig HolleyBetty Lebovitz

Larry ParksJohn Pregulman

Dr. Valerie RutledgeDr. Jim ShireEdna Varner

Rachael WelchBill Wilder

ADVISORY COMMITTEEClaire Binder

Terry BluntPeter Cooper

Carl HendersonSam E. Miles, Jr.

OUR VISIONSiskin Children’s Institute will lead the fields of early

childhood development and special education to help

build an inclusive society for children of all abilities.

OUR MISSIONSiskin Children’s Institute

improves the quality of life for children of all abilities

through excellence in education, research, health

care, advocacy and support.

Welcome New Board MembersLarry S. Parks is the president of T U Parks Construction Company, of Chattanooga. Aside from his business, he serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Tri-State

From our 2013- 2014 Evaluation Report

Betty Lebovitz has made the well being of children, especially children with special needs, a top priority. Her heartfelt commitment to the community is evident through her dedicated Carpenters Pension fund, and is active

in the construction industry serving as Chairman of CompTrust AGC, Tennessee, is a national life director of AGC of America. Larry is a member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, serves on the board of Chambliss Center for Children and is past Chairman of the Finance Committee of Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church.

service. Betty plays an active role on the Institute’s Marketing and Development Committee, and was on the Steering Committee several years before co-chairing the Institute’s StyleWorks. In 2014, Betty served as co-chair for StarNight. Betty’s passion for her volunteer work is contagious!

Siskin Children’s Institute’s 145 staff members supported 2,424 children with and without disabilities and their families. This is 25% more than in the previous year.

To view the entire 2013-2014 Evalution Report, visit www.siskin.org/evalreport.

SCI Newsletter • Mar-May 2015 • 3

Creative Movement Gets Kids MovingCreative Movement is a fun energetic program that integrates learning and movement for six classrooms in the Early Learning Center. This exciting and meaningful program happens ismade possible through a generous ongoing donation to Siskin Children’s Institute. Brittany Johnson-Mills, an instructor with Ballet Tennessee visits these classes and leads them through a routine that encompasses yoga-like stretching, crawling, jumping, and dancing all done to the beat of energetic music.

Creative Movement serves as a form of self expression with the added benefits of building muscle tone and further developing motor skills. Children of all abilities are able to participate and enjoy the experience as there is no right way

to participate in Creative Movement. When asked about her experience working with the kids, Mills says, “Working with the children at Siskin Children’s Institute is a rewarding experience. Over the last two and a half years, I have watched children, despite their own obstacles, thrive in movement and dance. I look forward each week to the amazing feeling I get when I see each child and the excitement and smiles on their faces when I arrive for our creative movement class. Anna and Barry VanCura of Ballet Tennessee taught me everything I know and I’m grateful for the partnership between the two organizations and the opportunity to share my passion with the children and families of the Institute. I am truly blessed.”

For several years, Siskin Children’s Institute has had the pleasure of partnering with Ballet Tennessee to provide the opportunity for children of all abilities to dance, move and be creative. Gayle Coleman, Director of the Early Learning Center says, “It is such a treat for our kids to have the opportunity to dance and move with Ms. Brittany. We are grateful for the opportunity to offer such

a beneficial program that the children love and look forward to each week. We are proud to partner with Ballet Tennessee in offering Creative Movement and want to thank the donor who has provided the funding to support it.”


More information and resources are now available to parents as they visit the Chattanooga Public Library’s downtown location thanks to a new partnership. The Chattanooga Public Library and Siskin Children’s Institute worked together to expand their reach by crafting a parents’ corner on the 2nd floor of the downtown library location. This section encompasses books and resources selected by experts on parenting topics for both typically developing and children with special needs. The existing parenting section has been moved to the 2nd floor and combined with resources from the Institute’s resource library as well as newly purchased items to create the Parents’ Corner. The Corner also includes a play area for kids with soft furnishing provided by Unum, and a full range of activities to engage and explore including a playhouse with costumes

for pretend play, a reading nook and other activities. This collaboration will have a positive impact on children and families throughout the Chattanooga community by providing a central location for families to get information and resources on various parenting topics. Institute staff and volunteers joined leadership of the Chattanooga Public Library to celebrate the partnership earlier this month. Special thanks to SunTrust and Unum for supporting the Parents’ Corner.

On February 5, Terra Mae Appalachian Bistro celebrated their second anniversary by hosting a benefit for the children and families of Siskin Children’s Institute. The dinner event featured guest chefs from around the region and their

TerraMae Anniversary Celebration Benefits the Institute

Siskin Children’s Institute Partners with Downtown Branch of Chattanooga Public Library

Partnership with Library Expands Reach

Flying Squirrel Gives Back Each week Flying Squirrel, a local restaurant and bar, hosts nonprofits for a charity night. On February 24, Siskin Children’s Institute participated by inviting friends, families, colleagues and staff to dine out to support the children and families of the Institute. Flying Squirrel generously donated 10% of the night’s proceeds back to the Institute. Thanks to Flying Squirrel and to

Appalachian-inspired cuisines. Guests enjoyed live music and a silent auction in addition to dinner and drinks. “We are happy to partner with Terra Mae to celebrate their 2nd anniversary and are proud to be their charity of choice,” says Linda McReynolds, Director of Development and Communications for the Institute. Terra Mae’s anniversary event raised $4,500 for the Institute. Thank you, Terra Mae!

all who came out to support the children and families we serve.


We Have an App for That

Don’t miss the hottest runway show in town. Please make plans to join us for Marketplace shopping, lunch and our high-energy runway show

Benefitting children with special needs and their families

Thursday, April 30

siskin.org/styleworks • 423-648-1707

Preview PartyChattanooga Convention Center

10 am: Marketplace opens11:30 am: Luncheon & Fashion show

Wednesday. April 29Shopping & Cocktails, 5-8 p.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center

fashion with compassion

®

The 365 Club began as a way for Siskin Children’s Institute founders, Mose and Garrison Siskin, to give the Chattanooga community an opportunity to help those in need by giving a penny or dollar a day. More than half a century later, the 365 Club is still a community campaign but offers some new features and benefits. When individuals join the 365 Club by giving $365 or more to the Institute’s Anual Fund, will be able to download the 365 Club app on their Android or Apple smartphones. This app will allow Club members to take advantage of special deals and discounts at selected restaurants and retailers. The app will also allow 365 Club members to receive exclusive information related to Institute events before its released to the general public, as well as provide event details and provide links to the Institute’s social media outlets.

If you have given $365 dollars or more to the Insitute during this fiscal year, you are automatically a member of the 365 Club. In the coming weeks, 365 Club members will receive information on how to download and activate the app.

Not a 365 Club member? Join today by donating $365 or more at www.siskin.org/donate.

Pediatrics Center Welcomes New Nurse Practitioner

The Center for Developmental Pediatrics is pleased to welcome the newest member of our staff, Jessica Fosbinder, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC. Jessica is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who received her baccalaureate and master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Prior to joining the center, she spent 8 years at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit . She also worked as a clinical instructor for UTC’s School of Nursing.

Congratulations to Mary Hollowell, Speech Pathologist in the Center for Developmental Pediatrics, who was awarded the American Speech- Language- Hearing Association’s Award for Continuing Education (ACE) in recognition of her commitment to lifelong

Speech Pathologist Earns ACE Award

learning. Ms. Hollowell earned 70 contact hours of continuing education during a 3-year period far surpassing the minimum of 30 hours.

We have an app for that

365 Club to Launch App


Early Interventionists from Around the Country to Attend Training Institute

Early Interventionists from around the country will gather at Siskin Children’s Institute April 20-24 to participate in the Routines-Based Home Visit Training Institute, a 5-day professional development opportunity based on the Routines-Based Early Intervention model.

Ten participants from around the country have been selected and will receive hands-on instruction and coaching in conducting home visits using the model. During this time, participants will learn how to provide support-based home visits including creating functional goals, use joint problem solving, focus on

routines when discussing child functioning, effectively plan for time between visits and more. This learning opportunity will provide early interventionists the tools and support needed to adopt this model in their own organizations . Activities include interactive workshops, video demonstrations, home visit observation opportunities, simulated home visits, and coaching from Institute staff during practice home visits.

Early Learning Center Hosts Annual CarnivalSiskin Early Learning Center will host its annual carnival for current and former families of the Center on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This fun-filled day is jam-packed with activities and games for children and their families to enjoy, including face painting, bean bag toss, activities with Hamilton County Master Gardeners, spin art and more. Special features for this year include pony rides, visits from costumed fairy tale characters and castle building. Each

classroom in the Early Learning Center will create a basket around this year’s theme of Siskin Children Institute’s Happily Ever After to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. In addition, the carnival will once again feature pottery created by RiverCity Pottery and decorated by the children with the help from a local artist. Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to join us for fun and festivities. All proceeds benefit Siskin Early Learning Center programs.


Institute Hosts Early Education Leaders for White House Summit

Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Awards Institute $10,000

Chattanooga Civitan Club Supports Symphony Sounds Series

Over the last several months, many of our families have enjoyed the Symphony Sounds musical performances by members of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. These performances were made possible thanks to the generosity of the Chattanooga Civitan Club, who

graciously provided funding to support the series. Through the Club’s gift, Siskin Children’s Institute has been able to offer live performances by the Symphony’s String Quintet and Wind Quintet and provide tickets to the “All Aboard” community concert at Volkswagen for children and families with disabilities. One additional performace will be scheduled for later this year.

Recently, Siskin Children’s Institute welcomed community leaders in early childhood education to hear about President Obama’s preschool development project. Representatives from the City of Chattanooga, Chambliss Center for Children, UTC, United Way and others gathered to view the White House Summit on Early Education. This Summit was a reaction to the President’s call in his 2013 State of the Union address to expand access to high-quality early childhood education to every child in America. The President proposed a series of new investments that will establish a continuum of high-quality early learning for a child beginning at birth and continuing to age five. He also announced the states and communities that received $250 million in Preschool Development Grants and $500 million in Early Head Start Child Care Partnership awards to

enhance and expand preschool programs and to improve access to high-quality infant and toddler care in high-need communities.

Over the last several months, senior administration officials have traveled across the country to hear from local officials, education experts, business leaders, and the philanthropic community about how to best advance the president’s agenda to expand access to high-quality early education for all Americans. As part of that effort, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Learning at the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Libby Doggett visited Siskin Children’s Institute, met with the family of a child with special needs served by the Institute’s home visiting program and learned about the work of the Institute’s Center for Child and Family Research.

Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, the Siskin Testing and Assessment Relief (STAR) Program will be able to provide financial assistance to cover the cost of the necessary assessment and diagnostic services for ten qualifying families who might not be able to afford them otherwise. Information from these assessments equip the medical team, therapists and the families themselves with the information to maximize each child’s potential.

March

April

May

5/16 Motorcycle ExtravaganzaTBDJoin us as we partner with Harley Davidson ThunderCreek to host an event for motorcycle enthusiasts in the region. More details to be announced.

4/17 6th Annual Autism Conference8am- 4 pmJoin us as we support the Chattanooga Autism Center’s Community Conference on Autism at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

5/31SCI Day @ the Lookouts1:30 pmJoin us for a day at the Lookouts. Enjoy discounted general admission tickets and free admission for children under 6 years old and a special pre-game show by our friends at the Chattanooga Radio Control Club.

UPCOMING EVENTS

4/17 Bartender Brawl6pm - 9pmChattanooga Friends and United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Chattanooga present the 2nd Annual Bartender Brawl at Miller Plaza. Proceeds benefit the Institute and four other local nonprofit organizations.

4/18 Kidz Expo10am - 5pmJoin us at the Chattanooga Convention Center for this year’s Kidz Expo. The Kidz Expo showcases the latest products, services, information & advice for parents.

4/25 Early Learning Center Carnival9am -12pmJoin us for a fun-filled day jam-packed with activities and games for the whole family.

4/29- 4/30 StyleWorksChattanooga Convention Center Join us for our annual luncheon and runway fashion show. Don’t forget Girls Night Out on Wednesday, April 29; 5:30pm.

TBD End of Year Celebration TBDJoin us as we celebrate the end of another great year in our Early Learning Center and the beginning of summer.

4/20- 4/24 Routines-Based Home Visit Training Insitute8am-5pmEarly Interventionist from around the country will gather to learn how to implement the Routines- Based Model during the week-long training .

3/21Dash for DS 9amCelebrate World Down Syndrome Day by participating in the Chattanooga Down Syndrome Society’s Dash for DS at the TN Riverpark.

3/24Ask the Expert12 noonMake plans to join us for the next Ask the Expert session on March 24; noon-1pm. Families from our pediatric center, home visiting program and early learning center are invited to bring their questions for our panel of experts. Panelists include a pediatric dentist, ENT, psychologist, therapist, pediatrician and lawyer. RSVP to [email protected].

Four local organizations join forces to spotlight awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders April 9 In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, join staff, faculty, children, adults and families from Chattanooga Autism Center, Orange Grove Center, Signal Centers and Siskin Children’s Institute as they welcome Celine Saulnier, Ph.D, Clinical Director of Research at the Marcus Autism Center, to the Camp House (149 East MLK Blvd) at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9. Dr. Saulnier will speak to both parents and practicioners about current research on early screening and diagnostic methods for autism spectrum disorders that aim to decrease the age of detection to as early as the first year of life.

A gift today can last a lifetime. Start your legacy by making a donation to Siskin Children’s Institute.

Siskin Children’s Institute continues to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families. If you are interested in speaking with someone regarding planned giving, contact Linda McReynolds at [email protected] or call 423-648-1730.

Chattanooga AutismThe Camp House • 149 E. MLK Blvd

Join us for

Thursday, April 9 @ 5:30 p.m.

Hosted by:

Chattanooga Autism CenterOrange Grove CenterSignal CentersSiskin Children’s InstituteAwareness Day

2015

inside the institute, spring 2015

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