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

Winter 2014 - 2015

Volume 19, Issue 1

In 1979, Sandy Levine became Director of the PCCD Early Intervention Program, which provides developmentally supportive services to families and children birth to age three who have special needs, developmental delays, or who are at risk for developmental issues. Sandy, a master’s level social worker and a certified Early Intervention Specialist, has been the guiding force over the years as the program has grown exponentially. Currently, over 650 young children and their families receive Early Intervention services. The number of families who have received services under her care has literally been tens of thousands. Sometimes numbers are deceiving, and depersonalize the actual individual people who are impacted. What Sandy has done, is establish a legacy. A legacy of thou-sands and thousands of children, some now adults, who are forever changed due to what she has developed and sustained. She has done nothing short of change the world for the better, one child and one family at a time.

It is impossible to put into words all that Sandy has meant to the staff, children, families, and the Merrimack Valley community. She has given thirty five years of her life to a program she believes in. A program she saw such value in. A program she knows works. She recently said, she has spent more time directing Early Intervention than she has raising her children. It seems like a very appropriate analogy given that she has seen a program from it’s infancy to the program it has become today. For many of us who have been working for a while in Early Intervention, she has taught and watched us grow from fledgling clinicians into skilled therapists and leaders.

~ Continued on page 4

Celebrating Sandy after 35 years as

PCCD Early Intervention Program Director By: Cindy Morrison, OTR/L. EI Team Leader

Save the Date

Friday, May 1, 2015

Andover Country Club

From The Desk of the Executive Director

Hello,

We ended the festivities of 2014 with a great holiday party that was very well attended. This year, we had some smaller parties in the afternoon for our families who have children who need a slightly quieter party with fewer people. Santa had a very busy day! As we say farewell to 2014, we welcome 2015 with plans for lots of fun and surprises. We will use our motor rooms for motor activities and exercise when it is too cold to be outside on the playground.

We will be inviting some of our Legislators to join us for a morning in March. They will be invited by students from their districts, and will attend “school” as they visit in the classrooms. It will be fun, and our visitors will learn about our programs and our new classroom technologies.

Sandy Levine retired from her position as Director of our Early Intervention Program at the end of December. She held that position for 35 years and contributed her talent and skills to expand services for our communities’ children and families. We honor her dedication and wish her well.

Cheryl Bruk is our new Early Intervention Director. She has been working as a Speech & Language Therapist in the Program for 25 years. She has also been a Team Leader, and brings her professional skills and expertise to this position. As we interviewed candidates for the position, we realized what a wonderful candidate she was, and we were very pleased that she accepted our offer to become the new Director.

Our annual spring gala plans are moving along. Please plan to join us as we celebrate on May 1, 2015 at the Andover Country Club.

Veryl D. Anderson

Veryl D. Anderson, RN—Executive Director

PCCD Special Events & Workshops

January 26, 2015 ~ Gala Committee 6:30 PM Week of Feb 9th ~ “Super Stuffed Animal Sleepover” February 9, 2015 ~ Gala Committee 6:30 PM February 23, 2015 ~ Gala Committee 6:30 PM February 27, 2015 ~ Community Guest Reader —Corey Canada from EasCorp/Vertifi March 9, 2015 ~ Gala Committee 6:30 PM March 23, 2015 ~ Gala Committee 6:30 PM March 20, 2015 ~ “Bring your Legislator to School Day” 10:00 am

April 13, 2015 ~ Gala Committee 6:30 PM April 27, 2015 ~ Gala Committee 6:30 PM

May 1, 2015 ~ Spring Gala @ Andover CC Week of May 11th ~ Grandparents and Special Friends Week June 6, 2015 ~ Donuts W/ Dad on the playground (rain date 6-13)

For more information contact

ext. 217 Ellen@TheProfessionalCenter.org

All events are at the Andover site unless otherwise stated.

Veryl Anderson, RN PCCD Co-Founder and Executive Director

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PCCD Developmental Day School

The Day School asks…..Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

We love the chance to highlight the skills and talents of our students by giving them the opportunity to perform for their family and friends at our annual Winter Celebra-tion. This year’s theme, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”

As we started our winter curriculum we found students were really enjoying the song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” from the movie Frozen, as well as the book All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle. So building a snowman seemed like the perfect theme for our show.

We created a multimedia event for students to: Tell the story - Students activated a pre-programmed switch to narrate the story Show the story - Students help create a power point for the Smartboard to illustrate their narration Act out the story - Students made props to follow the story and actually built a snowman

Our Winter Celebration takes lots of planning and preparation and all students are involved in every step of the process. They express their ideas, make choices and indicate preferences. Sometimes we even run into some creative differences! Students also are involved in making all the needed props. After all the planning and creating, we really have fun when we get to our dress rehearsals and see everything come together.

Following the show our music Therapist Miss Suzie led us in a lively sing-a-long. There’s a short video of our show on PCCD’s Facebook page…..CHECK IT OUT!

By: Linda Sliwoski, M.Ed. , Day School Director

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As I take leave of my position (Early Intervention Program Director) here at the Professional Center for

Child Development, I am so grateful and humbled by the work I have done over the years. Working with a

team of caring, creative educators and therapists and watching small and large miracles happen was the

gift of being present in so many lives of young children and their families. I thank the staff here at the

Center for their tireless work as well as the families who let us into their homes and their lives. I found the

Greater Lawrence community to be welcoming and eager to improve the lives of families, many of whom

came to the area from other countries, and I found a home in the Early Intervention system which held on to

the ideals that families matter and make all the difference in the lives of their children.

EI is larger and better known than when I first came to PCCD thirty-five years ago. We now have a new

site in Lawrence, serve over 650 children in their homes and at our two sites in Andover and Lawrence,

and employ more than 75 professional staff representing different disciplines. Early Intervention is a

success story and I have been privileged to have been part of its growth. As I leave to retire, I am so

pleased that the position of EI Program Director is in the very competent hands of Cheryl Bruk. Cheryl has

worked at the Center for many years as a speech therapist and a Team Leader and is well known to many

of you. Most importantly she is enthused and ready to be the Early Intervention Program Director.

Best Regards,

Sandy Levine, LICSW, CEIS

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Caring for Yourself: The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Children

Cindy Kaplan (http://cindykcoaching.com/about-cindy.html) is a yoga teacher and a parent coach as well as the mother of 3 children, one of whom is medically complex. She presents workshops on caring for yourself as a parent and here are some of the truths I have learned from her. I think that they apply to all parents. We want to be there for our children and we do this by giving them our patience, acceptance,

compassion, and love. We, however, cannot give to our children what we do not have ourselves.

When a child has exceptional needs, how can we rejuvenate ourselves so that we can give the child what he or she needs without feeling resentful? What do we do that makes us feel good and connected? What could we let go of, even if someone else would not do the task as per-fectly as we would?

Think of something you have done for yourself that makes you feel good about yourself. Is there some way that you could build that into your current situation and schedule?

Is some sort of support system available? People in similar situations understand each other in a very different way.

Little things are cumulative. Little things like deep breathing or stopping for a cup of coffee or tea can make an important difference in your day.

We often parent the child we want to have rather than the child we have, so we need to adjust our expectations.

Above love, every child needs to feel acceptance for who they are, by us, their parents.

I hope that these insights are as helpful to you as they have been for me. Wishing you all the best in your important role as parents.

By: Rachel Daniels—Northeast Regional Consultation Program

~ From page 1

Celebrating Sandy Levine

She has stood by us during times of personal joys and sorrows. She had an open door and genuine open heart that would put even the most anxious staff at ease. Sandy could find strength in the most challenging of situations, and facilitate critical thinking skills to enable the provision of best possible care to clients. She gave of herself tirelessly, always deter-mined to do her best. Sandy was willing to teach, listen, and guide all of us, always stopping what she was doing to be fully present. She advocated on behalf of Early Intervention families and her staff, most times without any knowledge or acknowledge-ment. Never once did her enthusiasm or passion wane. Her kind eyes, warm smile, and wise yet gentle spirit will be sorely missed.

Sandy has moved onto the next phase of her life at a time when she has felt it was the right time to go. And yet, in many ways she is still present. Perhaps, she will always be present. She is present in our day to day work with our children and their families. She is present as we inter-act as colleagues, working as a team to provide the best services possible, to support each other, and to encourage each other to create the best work envi-ronment possible. She is present as we seek to display in some ways all that she has taught us.

The PCCD family wishes Sandy good health and happiness always!

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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: Lani Venturi, CEIS

Education: Hesser College, Associates

in Early Intervention Rivier College, Bachelors in Human Development

Position: Early Intervention

Developmental Specialist

Years at the PCCD: 1 year at PCCD &

8 years in EI

Thoughts about working at the PCCD: “I am very happy I decided to join PCCD. I have met so many nice people and I really en-joy working with the different families.”

Name: Dahlia Khankan, MS, LICSW Education: Bernard College CU,

Columbia University School of Social Work Position: Social Worker in Early Intervention

Years at PCCD: 7 years

Thoughts about working at the PCCD: “This is a very exciting time to be at PCCD! The Agency continues to grow and with that come more opportunities to develop meaningful connections with the incredible families and children we serve. Professionally, it’s an honor to work with such dedicated, accomplished and caring colleagues.”

Staff Spotlight

Name: Kristin Kinsella Education: Smith College

BA in Economics Position: Human Resources

Manager

Years at PCCD: 1 Year, 3 months

Thoughts about working at the PCCD: “Every day I feel lucky to be able to work at our agency alongside the most dedicated, hardest working, and just plain nicest people I’ve ever worked with!”

Name: Rhonda Boudreau Education: Regis College

BA Sociology & Early Childhood

Position: Developmental Day School

Classroom Assistant

Years at PCCD: 3 Years

Thoughts about working at the PCCD: “ The children, families and staff at Day School are a constant source of joy and inspiration to me. The compassion, laughter and understanding that surrounds me daily is amazing. I feel honored and proud to work here.”

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Gifts of All Sizes Make A BIG Difference

Donations of all sizes help us continue to provide the very best programs and services to help children of all

abilities reach their full potential. Over the years, the ongoing support of our donors has allowed us to

expand our programs and services to meet the growing demand from local families. Each gift is greatly

appreciated and makes a significant impact on the lives of the children we serve.

This past year, we received a wonderful donation of $15,000 to

purchase Smartboards for each of the Developmental Day School

Classrooms. These students are challenged learners. Due to their

varying levels of ability, they have unique needs and a unique

approach to learning. The Smartboards allow our teachers to tailor

lessons so that every child can participate, interact with their

educators and peers and gain a greater sense of independence

and accomplishment. New technologies like our Smartboards are

making a significant impact in the developmental gains of these

children.

Throughout the year we receive wonderful gifts of classroom supplies like playdoh,

books and toys. We also receive many gifts through our Annual Appeal, that to-

gether, allow us to make significant investments into our programs and purchase

much needed therapeutic equipment and assistive technology.

We thank our donors, big and small, for their steadfast support in 2014 and over the

past 41 years!!!

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that children of all abilities achieve their

full potential. By: Kelley Granahan, Manager of Development

A Peek Inside the Saturday Play Pals Group

If you were to peek into our classroom you would

see: a visual chart outlining our morning routine, a

few toys on the floor to engage turn-taking, the

kitchen area is open for cooperative play and the

Circle of Friends table opens with an art activity or play dough, to help

bring our friends together and to practice our social language.

Sometimes a movement break is needed and we explore our gross motor room for a swing.

Our group encourages children to learn and practice social skills while having fun and to enjoy being part of a group. We do this using a play-based approach.

Saturday Play Pals group meets on Saturdays at the Andover site from 10:00am to 11:30am. Enrollment is ongoing.

For more info., Please contact Kim Briggs, M.Ed. CCC-SLP at ext. 226 or email: ptp@theprofessionalcenter.org

PCCD is proud to offer a wide variety of group options to families and children of all abilities.

If you have questions or are interested in attending any of these groups please contact

Aimee Phleger @ ext. 341

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PCCD’s Super Stuffed Animal Sleepover

The week of February 9, 2015 children will be invited to bring a stuffed animal to The Center for a sleepover. Once the children drop them off you never know what kind of mayhem and mischief the group will get into.

Reminder ~ Only stuffed friends no humans Open to all PCCD children Photos on the PCCD facebook page Certificate of participation to each child

& plush pal

For added fun—we suggest some books...

The Stuffed Animals Get Ready for Bed

—Alison Inches

Principal Fred Won't Go to Bed—Carolyn Crimi

While You Are Sleeping—Alexis Deacon Farrar

Night-Night, Emily! - Claire Freedman

Bear in the Air—Susan Meyers

The Sleepover will help our young learners

with separation, time and friendship

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Thank you to our sponsors

Two-by-Two News By: Aimee Phleger, CEIS—EI Education Coordinator

The fall & winter sessions of Toddler 2x2 Groups are busy with happy and energetic children. Our groups are staffed with EI specialists and talented support staff. Our curriculum is theme based and a developmental philosophy is incorporated daily. Our groups are filled with children of all abilities. Play and socialization are a priority in these groups. Over the next few months children will be learning about different animals. There will be an opportunity for toddlers to have their favorite stuffed animal come to group and participate in a “Super Stuffed Animal Sleepover.”

We will also be focusing on a literacy unit during the upcoming months. Author Eric Karl’s books will be highlighted during our monthly theme.

In addition to our integrated Toddler 2x2 groups we have specialty parent groups running at our new Lawrence site and our Andover site. Children and a family member come to parent groups to socialize, build friendships, play and learn new skills or activities.

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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 9

Parents... Empower Yourselves Always be active members of your child’s EI Team

~ Be confident in sharing your child’s strengths and needs. a) You know your child best and the information you have is indispensable. b) If you think something is going on with your child, most often you are correct—listen

to your instincts. Start the conversation about anything that concerns you. c) When attending meetings or appointments have a list of questions or concerns

written down and available. ~ Get involved and participate in your child’s EI services.

a) Prepare your home and child for a home visit… If appropriate, talk to your child about the home visit, have an area ready for play and learning and try to turn off phones/TV or any distractions

b) Ask your child’s Early Intervention Specialist for techniques, exercises or games that the family could incorporate into their routine.

c) Choosing to include your child’s doctors in conversations about Early Intervention can prove to be valuable. This partnership does not always routinely happen, par-ents are the ones that often build this relationship.

d) Learn from advocacy groups or contact a support group—The EI Parent Leadership Project, The Federation for Children with Special Needs, MASS Family Voices and Family TIES of Massachusetts to name a few

~ Know your legal rights within the EI system. a) Review your notice of family rights and procedural safeguards. www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/com-health/early-childhood/family-rights-notice.pdf a) If you disagree or have a difference in opinion, feel free to speak to your child’s

service coordinator. If further resolution should be needed, contact PCCD Early Intervention Director, Cheryl Bruk. In the event you have not found a solution, contact Mary Dennehy-Colorusso at the Department of Public Health’s office of Family Rights and Due Process.

By: Ellen Waddill, M.Ed. PCCD Parent & Community Liaison

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.