Thom Child & Family Services Invests in Employee Growth with Fazzio Scholarships

Thom Child and Family Services is thrilled to announce the recipients of the Phyllis A. Fazzio Scholarship Program for fiscal year 2025. Six dedicated employees will receive funding to pursue specialized training, enhancing their skills and ultimately impacting the lives of children and families we serve.

Empowering Therapists to Address Feeding Challenges:

• Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services:
  • Sarah McCarthy (Occupational Therapist): Focuses on sensory sensitivities impacting feeding. Her SOS Approach to Feeding training will equip her with strategies to help children overcome these challenges.
  • Heather Page (Occupational Therapist): Specializes in tethered oral tissue issues. Training on this topic will enable her to better assess and treat children with oral ties, improving their feeding experiences.
• Thom Neponset Valley
  • Ann Mazzeo (Occupational Therapist): Learns about the Infant Frenectomy Protocol, potentially benefiting children with tongue and lip ties. This training will allow Ann to enhance assessment, treatment, and resource provision for families.

Supporting Children with Diverse Needs:

• Kaitlin Stonebridge (Developmental Specialist, Thom Boston Metro EIP): Delves into ADHD in the pediatric population. This knowledge will empower her to effectively support children struggling with attention, hyperactivity, and sensory needs.

Strengthening Mental Health Support for Families:

• Carolyn Meehan (Social Worker/Team Leader, Thom Charles River EIP): Focuses on Perinatal Mood Disorders training. Carolyn will equip herself to support parents facing mental health challenges after childbirth. She also plans to share learnings with her team, fostering a more informed and supportive environment for families.

Investing in Leadership Development:

• Margaret Szulga (Speech-Language Pathologist, Thom Marlboro Area EIP): Attends a clinical supervision course. This training will strengthen Margaret’s leadership skills, allowing her to become a better clinical instructor and mentor for future SLPs.

Thom congratulates these exceptional employees. Their commitment to ongoing learning ensures the delivery of high-quality services and a more comprehensive support system for the children and families we serve.