October 2014 Newsletter

October 2014
Early Intervention Services Offered in York County
Board of Directors
OFFICERS
President
Charles McBrady
Vice President
Fred Pape III
Treasurer
Jason Rayne
Secretary
Randy Ford
DIRECTORS
Dean Alofs
Stuart Cayer, DC
Since the fall of 2013, Morrison Center special education teachers Shannon Smith and Stephanie McSherry have provided early intervention services to more than 30 children in the York
County region. The children (ages birth – 2 years) receive services through Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) which requires
states to provide early intervention services to children from birth
through age two who are identified with developmental delays or disabilities. These services are provided through a team approach and are
designed to meet the goals set by and for families through an Individual
Family Service Plan.
In Maine, the Department of Education provides these services through
Child Development Services (CDS) who
identify, plan for, and provide individualized
home-based interventions and case management for children who are determined eligible
through an early assessment process. In
home services through Part C are designed
to help families work with their own children to build appropriate routines and strategies for growth and development. The role of the
Special Educator is to provide instruction, resources, (cont’d. on p.2)
Above: Shannon Smith works with a student at home. At right: Sebastian transitioned to Morrison’s Preschool program after receiving in-home services.
Michelle Chumsae
Daniel J. Honan
John Massengill
Richard Michaud
Michele Rock, DO
Theresa Sampietro
E. William Stockmeyer
Timothy Thompson
Scott Wentzell
Executive Director
Mark Ryder
A Parent’s Perspective
(written by a parent receiving services from Morrison Center)
When it becomes evident that your infant or young child is not developing in a typical fashion
whether it is a “gut” feeling that something is not quite right, or the observations of a trained
medical professional, a parent can become overwhelmed with a variety of emotions. Fear,
sadness, and anger can be paralyzing as you try to determine what to do now, while your
mind jumps ahead years beyond this point in time in an attempt to predict the outcome.
We were very fortunate to have received early intervention services for our now 3 year old
son, who exhibited early communication delays secondary to hearing loss. Following a comprehensive in-home assessment by the CDS developmental assessment team, our son was
determined to be eligible to receive support services. The early intervention team consists of
the professionals most suited to the child’s needs based on that assessment. Our primary
support person, special educator Stephanie McSherry, was able to provide in-home services
to meet our son’s needs. The true benefit of the Individual Family Service Plan, is the emphasis on “family”. While our child’s needs were primarily with communication skills, Stephanie was able to address any challenges in the home to foster the development of the family
unit. Our family plan included safety, meal time challenges, and sibling dynamic as these
ultimately related to the primary goal of progressing communication skills. (cont’d on p.2)
60 Chamberlain Road, Scarborough, ME 04074 * 526 Post Road (US Rt 1), Wells, ME 04090
www.morrison-maine.org
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Early Intervention Services (cont’d from front page)
and support for families who are raising children with disabilities/developmental delays. In order to meet the growing need for qualified and experienced service providers, CDS enlisted the services of Morrison Center’s special
educators to participate as part of multi-disciplinary teams that provide these individualized services in homes
throughout York County. In the role, the special educator, or Primary Service Provider, travels to the home to work
with individual children and families using a Routine Based Intervention Process. In home supports may involve
working through challenges with feeding, physical abilities, cognitive delays, behavioral struggles, or health issues.
Ongoing consultation with support services, therapists and health care providers are also included. In addition, the
teacher participates in team meetings at CDS and provides transition services for children to Part B when they approach their third birthday. In this capacity, the teacher also has the opportunity to make recommendations for further educational planning, including preschool programs like Morrison Center. The continuity of services and ease
of communication within the team has provided these children and families with positive transition experiences.
A Parent’s Perspective –cont’d. from front page:
The provision of early intervention services in-home is critical, as the child’s progress is truly maximized by the familiar surroundings and individuals within the home. While there are great benefits to outpatient services and therapies, our son flourished with in-home support, as he was able to share, play, talk, eat, and fight in the comfort of
home. We were able to address challenges and acknowledge successes in a more authentic way.
We were also very fortunate to have the support of Shannon Smith, who assisted with our son’s transition into preschool for several weeks prior to his third birthday. With the ongoing support of the early intervention team, the
transition was seamless. Early intervention services have prepared us to move onward with the confidence that
comes with knowledge. We have been enabled to accept that we don’t have to know it all and we don’t have to do
it all alone.
FMI about Early Intervention Services, please contact Gwen Sartoris at 883-6680 x127 or gsartoris@morrison-maine.org
Therapy Team builds Adapted Car
After much anticipation and excitement, the adapted car (aka Morrison Mini
Cooper), has been completed! Last fall, Jaimie Choiniere, PT, DPT, a member of
Morrison Center’s therapy team, attended a “Go Baby Go” course which focused
on building an adapted vehicle that allows children with special needs to sit in a
safe, supported position and activate a switch to move the vehicle forward. This
retrofitted vehicle is used as an introduction to powered mobility to allow children to
move their body throughout space in a seated position—something they may not
be able to otherwise. Through a generous donation from Project GRACE, as well
as funds raised through a pre-school bake sale, the Center was able to purchase a
small, 6V ride-on Mini Cooper toy vehicle to serve as the base of the retrofitted car.
The adapted Mini Cooper safely holds children up to 5 years old, has an on/off
switch with a plastic ignition key (eliminating the need for an extra kill switch), and
allows children to go in reverse as their skill level increases. Using skills learned at the course,
Jaimie was able to hardwire the Mini Cooper to
be activated with a large green switch mounted on the steering wheel instead
of using a floor pedal. With a harness and seatbelt installed for extra safety
and stability, many of our preschoolers have used the adapted vehicle and
demonstrated their success with the push of a button.
OCTOBER
2014
Our Wish List
s We are looking for a variety of items that will help to
enrich our programs & activities! Items may be gently
used. Please contact Meghan at 883-6680 x102
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Book Binder Machine
Adaptive Scissors
Paint Brushes
Arts & Crafts Materials
(tissue paper, glitter, googly
eyes, pipe cleaners, glue
gun sticks, paints)
Stretched Canvas & easels
Dramatic play costumes
Plastic silverware for dramatic play
Dolls
Big frames
3 ring binders
Floor lamps
5 point Harness Booster
Seat (new only, please)
Musical instruments
Memory cards
Kitchen items: pots & pans,
blender, microwave
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Mix & Mingles a Hit
Developed to help fill the need for more communitybased social activities for adults with disabilities, Morrison
Center’s “Mix & Mingle” events have continued to be a
big success! These monthly events provide an opportunity for high school and adult consumers from all area
agencies to meet and socialize in a fun, festive environment. Under the guidance of Mix & Mingle coordinators
Tabitha Connors and Amelia Lebel, adults and their caregivers gather in the Center’s gymnasium on the last Monday of each month for organized activities such as Bingo,
Karaoke, T-shirt making, or Dance Parties to name a few.
Pizza and snacks help to complete the evening! Next up:
a Halloween Bash on Mon. 10/27 from 5pm-7pm. Costumes highly encouraged! For more information, please
contact Tabby at 883-6680. Below: Guests enjoy Bingo
at the Sept. Mix & Mingle
Thank you!
21st Annual “Shot in the Dark” Golf Tournament a Success!
Friday, September 5th marked the 21st anniversary of Morrison Center’s “Shot in the
Dark” Golf Tournament. In keeping with tradition, this unique evening and fundraiser
was held at the beautiful Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth. We were thrilled that the
weather once again cooperated and provided a warm, late summer
evening for the Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The evening kicked off with a putting contest and social hour, followed by
dinner and a spirited auction. This year, close to 75 people attended, including our dedicated golfers who braved the dark course
equipped with flashlights and glow-in-the-dark golf balls. Because
of the generosity of many donors, sponsors, golfers and attendees,
the evening raised over $20,000 for Morrison Center programs &
activities!
Pictured at left: Beautiful floral centerpieces were arranged by the Seedling participants & staff. Above: Shawn Casey
wins the Putting Contest.
Silver Sponsors:
Black Bear Medical • DrummondWoodsum •
Merrill Lynch
Bronze Sponsors:
Michaud Distributors • Pape Chevrolet • Zachau Construction
Hole Sponsors:
Chadwick-BaRoss, Inc. • Hutchins Trucking Co. •
Maine Neonatology Associates • Portland Paper Products
Shot Sponsors:
Dorothy White • John Downing
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Contributing Sponsors:
Assurant • Biddeford Savings • Chebeague Island Inn
Dan Honan • Easy Day • Eaton Vance • El Rayo Taqueria •
Harvard Pilgrim • Macpage, LLC • Maine Capital Mortgage
Michaud Distributors • Nappi Distributors •
Pape Chevrolet • Pioneer Investments • Portland Pie Co. •
Portland Seadogs • Prudential • Portland Regency & Spa •
Purpoodock Club • Sugarloaf • Thos. Moser •
Tim Thompson • Wells Fargo • Zachau Construction
60 Chamberlain Rd.
PO Box 1539
Scarborough, ME 04070-1539
Phone: 207.883.6680
Fax:
207.883-6695
Web: www.morrison-maine.org
Save the Date for this family-friendly, festive event!
6th Annual Holiday Craft Fair,
Poinsettia, & Wreath Sale
Please Join us at Morrison Center in Scarborough on
Saturday, December 6th from 9AM—2PM.
Handmade crafts from 35+ local crafters, raffles, holiday plants,
wreaths, baked goods & homemade lunch, Santa & more!
Crafter tables still available…! FMI call Meghan @ 883-6680 x102 or msmith@morrison-maine.org
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & PROGRAMS
December
12/6
Holiday Craft Fair, Poinsettia, & Wreath Sale 9am-2pm
12/19 Consumer Holiday Party – Families & caregivers
welcome!
12/24 – 1/2 Preschool & School Programs closed for holiday break
12/25 Christmas Holiday, Center closed
12/29 “Mix & Mingle” 5pm-7pm
November
11/11 Veterans Day: Center closed for Agency-wide Professional 12/30 Board meeting 8am
Development Day
11/22 Wreath Sale at Wells Campus 9am-2pm
As always, we’ll have our ongoing
11/24 “Mix & Mingle” 5-7pm
Poinsettia & Wreath Sale
11/25
Board meeting 8am
in the Greenhouses!
11/26-11/28 School & Preschool Program—Thanksgiving break
Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm
11/27&11/28 Thanksgiving break, Center closed
October
10/13 Columbus Day, Center closed
10/27 “Mix & Mingle” 5-7pm Halloween Party!
10/28 Board meeting 8am
10/31 School Program—Early Release Day @ 12:30
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