Thom Child & Family Services

Engaging El Families Using a Cultural Lens
2024-04-10 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only. Registration is available here until April 3, 2024. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) for additional information.

Description
The goal of this 2-hour session will be to assist a community of interdisciplinary providers to weave family culture into their service delivery. All relationships are culturally informed and relationships move development forward. Therefore, relationships embedded in culture (family culture, dominant culture, gender culture) inform all developmental progress.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Understand their internalized culture as well as associated implicit biases.
Use curious questions to gain a deeper understanding of the family’s cultural complexity.
Blend intervention strategies with the family’s cultural and relational expectations necessary for success from their cultural lens.

Presenter Biography
Barbara Stroud, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with over three decades worth of culturally informed clinical practice in early childhood development and mental health. She is a founding organizer and the inaugural president (2017-2019) of the California Association for Infant Mental Health, a ZERO TO THREE Fellow, and holds prestigious endorsements as an Infant and Family Mental Health Specialist/Reflective Practice Facilitator Mentor. In 2018, Dr. Stroud was honored with the Bruce D. Perry Spirit of the Child Award. Embedded in all of her trainings and consultations are the activities of reflective practice, demonstrating cultural attunement, and holding a social justice lens in the work. Dr. Stroud’s book “How to Measure a Relationship” [published 2012] is improving infant mental health practices around the globe and is now available in Spanish. Her second book, an Amazon best seller, “Intentional Living: finding the inner peace to create successful relationships” walks the reader through a deeper understanding of how their brain influences relationships. Both volumes are currently available on Amazon. Additionally, Dr. Stroud is a contributing author to the text “Infant and early childhood mental health: Core concepts and clinical practice” edited by Kristie Brandt, Bruce Perry, Steve Seligman, & Ed Tronick.

Engaging El Families Using a Cultural Lens
2023-06-13 12:00 - 14:00
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only. Registration is available here until June 6, 2023. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) for additional information.

Description
The goal of this 2-hour session will be to assist a community of interdisciplinary providers to weave family culture into their service delivery. All relationships are culturally informed and relationships move development forward. Therefore, relationships embedded in culture (family culture, dominant culture, gender culture) inform all developmental progress.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Understand their internalized culture as well as associated implicit biases.
Use curious questions to gain a deeper understanding of the family’s cultural complexity.
Blend intervention strategies with the family’s cultural and relational expectations necessary for success from their cultural lens.

Presenter Biography
Barbara Stroud, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with over three decades worth of culturally informed clinical practice in early childhood development and mental health. She is a founding organizer and the inaugural president (2017-2019) of the California Association for Infant Mental Health, a ZERO TO THREE Fellow, and holds prestigious endorsements as an Infant and Family Mental Health Specialist/Reflective Practice Facilitator Mentor. In 2018, Dr. Stroud was honored with the Bruce D. Perry Spirit of the Child Award. Embedded in all of her trainings and consultations are the activities of reflective practice, demonstrating cultural attunement, and holding a social justice lens in the work. Dr. Stroud’s book “How to Measure a Relationship” [published 2012] is improving infant mental health practices around the globe and is now available in Spanish. Her second book, an Amazon best seller, “Intentional Living: finding the inner peace to create successful relationships” walks the reader through a deeper understanding of how their brain influences relationships. Both volumes are currently available on Amazon. Additionally, Dr. Stroud is a contributing author to the text “Infant and early childhood mental health: Core concepts and clinical practice” edited by Kristie Brandt, Bruce Perry, Steve Seligman, & Ed Tronick.

Engaging El Families Using a Cultural Lens
2023-03-14 12:00 - 14:00
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only. Registration is available here until February 24, 2023. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) for additional information.

Description
The goal of this 2-hour session will be to assist a community of interdisciplinary providers to weave family culture into their service delivery. All relationships are culturally informed and relationships move development forward. Therefore, relationships embedded in culture (family culture, dominant culture, gender culture) inform all developmental progress.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Understand their internalized culture as well as associated implicit biases.
Use curious questions to gain a deeper understanding of the family’s cultural complexity.
Blend intervention strategies with the family’s cultural and relational expectations necessary for success from their cultural lens.

Presenter Biography
Barbara Stroud, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with over three decades worth of culturally informed clinical practice in early childhood development and mental health. She is a founding organizer and the inaugural president (2017-2019) of the California Association for Infant Mental Health, a ZERO TO THREE Fellow, and holds prestigious endorsements as an Infant and Family Mental Health Specialist/Reflective Practice Facilitator Mentor. In 2018, Dr. Stroud was honored with the Bruce D. Perry Spirit of the Child Award. Embedded in all of her trainings and consultations are the activities of reflective practice, demonstrating cultural attunement, and holding a social justice lens in the work. Dr. Stroud’s book “How to Measure a Relationship” [published 2012] is improving infant mental health practices around the globe and is now available in Spanish. Her second book, an Amazon best seller, “Intentional Living: finding the inner peace to create successful relationships” walks the reader through a deeper understanding of how their brain influences relationships. Both volumes are currently available on Amazon. Additionally, Dr. Stroud is a contributing author to the text “Infant and early childhood mental health: Core concepts and clinical practice” edited by Kristie Brandt, Bruce Perry, Steve Seligman, & Ed Tronick.

Battelle Developmental Inventory Basics
2020-06-04 09:30 - 15:30 | Thom Child & Family Services, 251 West Central Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only with a maximum of 18 participants. Thom programs will be charged $10 per employee sent. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6

Description
The Battelle Developmental Inventory™, Second Edition (BDI-2™) is an early childhood instrument which helps measure a child’s progress along the developmental continuum by both global domains and discrete skill sets. This workshop will provide Early Intervention clinicians with basic knowledge on how to use the BDI-2™ to determine eligibility in Massachusetts Early Intervention. Topics to be discussed will include an overview of the tool, a review of administration, understanding the fidelity of administration, scoring instruction, how to interpret the results, and how to share results with families.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Utilize the BDI-2™ testing manuals and materials.
Demonstrate an understanding of eligibility determination for EI services in MA.
Use the BDI-2™ in the EI setting.
Demonstrate the ability to accurately score the BDI-2™.

Presenter Biographies
Katrina Veidins, MPH, CEIS, is a Developmental Specialist (DS) and a Certified Early Intervention Specialist, with a Masters Degree in Public Health. She has been involved in early intervention for over 5 years; first as a Northeastern Co-op Student, then as an intern completing the Early Intervention Certification program, and finally moving into a career as a Developmental Specialist in 2008. Katrina has a great interest in both the clinical aspects of one-on-one Early Intervention care as well as Programming Planning and Development. She has been using the Battelle Developmental Inventory™, 2nd Edition for the past 3 years, and looks forward to helping her fellow clinicians master the tool.
Katie Timmons, DS, CEIS, is a Developmental Specialist and a Certified Early Intervention Specialist for Thom Boston Metro Early Intervention (BMEI). Katie graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2012 with a BS in Biological Sciences and Communication Disorders. Prior to working at Thom, she worked at a residential/day program for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder with intense behaviors. She has been at Thom BMEI since 2013, and has continued her passion for working with those diagnosed with ASD. She is currently the Autism Resource Specialist at Thom BMEI and manages many of the clinical supports surrounding ASD and red flags in the EI population. Katie is a Battelle trainer, and has recently attended DPH’s BDI-2 Institute in 2019 to help further her training abilities and understanding of standardized assessments in early intervention. In her spare time, she enjoys trying to get her two cats to like her.

Battelle Developmental Inventory Basics
2020-04-08 09:30 - 15:30, 2019-08-07 09:30 - 15:30 | Thom Child & Family Services, 251 West Central Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only with a maximum of 18 participants. Thom programs will be charged $10 per employee sent. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6

Description
The Battelle Developmental Inventory™, Second Edition (BDI-2™) is an early childhood instrument which helps measure a child’s progress along the developmental continuum by both global domains and discrete skill sets. This workshop will provide Early Intervention clinicians with basic knowledge on how to use the BDI-2™ to determine eligibility in Massachusetts Early Intervention. Topics to be discussed will include an overview of the tool, a review of administration, understanding the fidelity of administration, scoring instruction, how to interpret the results, and how to share results with families.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Utilize the BDI-2™ testing manuals and materials.
Demonstrate an understanding of eligibility determination for EI services in MA.
Use the BDI-2™ in the EI setting.
Demonstrate the ability to accurately score the BDI-2™.

Presenter Biographies
Sandy Brown, MSPT, CEIS, has worked as a physical therapist in early intervention since 2010. She graduated from Boston College with a BA in Special Needs Education. She received her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Simmons College. Sandy has been administering the Battelle for over 8 years. She is looking forward to supporting new Thom employees as they become proficient in their use of the BDI-2. Sandy works as a supervisor at Thom Neponset Valley Early Intervention and hopes to be able to share her Battelle skills with her fellow clinicians.
Danielle Johnson, MSEd, has worked at Thom Neponset Valley Early Intervention since 2014. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a BS in Early Childhood Education and Psychology then received her Masters degree from Wheelock College in Child Development (focusing in Birth to Three, Early Intervention). Danielle particularly enjoys working with children who may be on the autism spectrum or already have an ASD diagnosis. She likes being a support to families as they go through the process of getting a diagnosis, acquiring additional services, and then continuing to work with the family. Danielle has been using the Battelle Developmental Inventory – 2nd Edition for more than four years and is excited to support colleagues as they learn how to administer the tool.

Battelle Developmental Inventory Basics
2020-02-06 09:30 - 15:30, 2019-10-03 09:30 - 15:30 | Thom Child & Family Services, 251 West Central Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only with a maximum of 18 participants. Thom programs will be charged $10 per employee sent. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6

Description
The Battelle Developmental Inventory™, Second Edition (BDI-2™) is an early childhood instrument which helps measure a child’s progress along the developmental continuum by both global domains and discrete skill sets. This workshop will provide Early Intervention clinicians with basic knowledge on how to use the BDI-2™ to determine eligibility in Massachusetts Early Intervention. Topics to be discussed will include an overview of the tool, a review of administration, understanding the fidelity of administration, scoring instruction, how to interpret the results, and how to share results with families.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Utilize the BDI-2™ testing manuals and materials.
Demonstrate an understanding of eligibility determination for EI services in MA.
Use the BDI-2™ in the EI setting.
Demonstrate the ability to accurately score the BDI-2™.

Presenter Biographies
Kim Chevalier, RN, BSN, CEIS, NCSN, MEd, has been a nurse for over 15 years. Her nursing experience has been focused on the pediatric population with 10 years spent in Early Intervention (EI) where she has worked with numerous families of babies born pre-term. In addition to her EI experience, she has worked for 8 years in an urban school system and 3 summers as a residential summer camp nurse. Kim is a certified Infant Massage Instructor, a CPR/First Aid Instructor, and has experience mentoring nursing students. Presently she is employed by Thom Westfield Infant Toddler Services.
Courtney Moreno, MA, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and a certified Early Intervention Specialist. She has practiced at Thom Westfield Infant Toddler Services for over ten years and serves as the programs’ SCERTS Coordinator. Courtney has a particular interest in serving children challenged by autism spectrum disorder and childhood Apraxia of speech. In addition, she has mentored numerous graduate students and Clinical Fellowship Year placements. Courtney is an experienced presenter conducting several workshops focusing on early literacy development, AAC techniques for daycare providers and specializes in supporting programs in incorporating the SCERTS model into early intervention services.

Battelle Developmental Inventory Basics
2019-12-18 09:30 - 15:30 | Thom Child & Family Services, 251 West Central Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States
Cost
DUE TO WINTER WEATHER, THIS TRAINING WAS RESCHEDULED FROM DECEMBER 3rd TO DECEMBER 18th.
Thom Child and Family Services employees only with a maximum of 18 participants. Thom programs will be charged $10 per employee sent. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6

Description
The Battelle Developmental Inventory™, Second Edition (BDI-2™) is an early childhood instrument which helps measure a child’s progress along the developmental continuum by both global domains and discrete skill sets. This workshop will provide Early Intervention clinicians with basic knowledge on how to use the BDI-2™ to determine eligibility in Massachusetts Early Intervention. Topics to be discussed will include an overview of the tool, a review of administration, understanding the fidelity of administration, scoring instruction, how to interpret the results, and how to share results with families.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Utilize the BDI-2™ testing manuals and materials.
Demonstrate an understanding of eligibility determination for EI services in MA.
Use the BDI-2™ in the EI setting.
Demonstrate the ability to accurately score the BDI-2™.

Presenter Biographies
Katrina Veidins, MPH, CEIS, is a Developmental Specialist (DS) and a Certified Early Intervention Specialist, with a Masters Degree in Public Health. She has been involved in early intervention for over 5 years; first as a Northeastern Co-op Student, then as an intern completing the Early Intervention Certification program, and finally moving into a career as a Developmental Specialist in 2008. Katrina has a great interest in both the clinical aspects of one-on-one Early Intervention care as well as Programming Planning and Development. She has been using the Battelle Developmental Inventory™, 2nd Edition for the past 3 years, and looks forward to helping her fellow clinicians master the tool.
Melanie LaFavre, OT, CEIS, is an Occupational Therapist, Certified Early Intervention Specialist, and Team Leader for Thom Boston Metro Early Intervention (BMEI). Melanie graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Child Development in 2004. She started at Thom BMEI in 2009 as a Developmental Specialist. In 2015 Melanie graduated from Tufts Boston School of Occupational Therapy and returned to full-time work at Thom BMEI as a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist. She is also certified as a Lactation Counselor and is certified to provide the Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO). In February 2019, Melanie joined the BMEI leadership as a Team Leader and currently supervises a team of 15 clinicians. In her role as Team Leader she is responsible for organizing Battelle teams and overseeing training of new staff, as well as supporting efforts for increased fidelity. In her free time, Melanie enjoys playing softball, flag football, and cross-stitching.

Caring for You While Caring for Others: A Training on Handling Burnout
2019-06-14 10:30 - 13:00 | Westwood Restaurant & Pub, 94 North Elm St., Westfield, MA, 01085, United States
Cost
Free to early intervention staff and EEC childcare workers. A free lunch buffet is included with registration. There is a maximum registration of 40 people and registration is required. Please contact Amy Clark (413-783-5500 x116) for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: N/A

Description
By the end of this presentation, you will understand the definition of burnout, how to notice the common signs of burnout (both physically and emotionally), who experiences burnout, and how to handle it. Participants will learn who to speak to when experiencing burnout and how to handle these conversations in a professional manner. Simple self-help activities will be explained to aid you with tackling your burnout and also in preventing future burnout.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Describe burnout and discuss the common signs of burnout.
Identify the appropriate professional resources with whom to communicate and discuss your burnout.
Apply self-help activities to aid in, and prevent future, burnout.

Presenters
Ashley Woodman, Ph.D.

Resources for Families: Networking with Public and Private Providers
2019-06-07 08:30 - 11:30 | Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services, 1506 A Allen St., Springfield, MA, 01118, United States
Cost
Free to early intervention staff. Please contact Amy Clark (413-783-5500 x116) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 5.4 & 5.5

Description
Early interventionists will increase their knowledge of community resources available to them and families. They will learn to assist the family in assessing their needs individually and as a family unit, to determine what resources may be needed for family support. In this process, families will develop skills to advocate for themselves and learn what resources would be appropriate to reach out to when outside support is needed.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Recognize why families and caregivers need access to relevant resources.
Identify what clinicians, families, and caregivers need to know about community resources.
Explain how to network with public and private providers to help families access community resources.

Presenters
Amy Clark, DS, CEIS
Naomi (Amy) Clark is a Developmental Specialist with 9 years experience in early intervention (EI). Prior to joining EI, she was a foster parent of infants with complex care and traumatic birth histories. Amy has collaborated with MSPCC and Wings of Love, Inc. to host monthly trainings and annual activities for foster adoption parents over a 4 year period. She received an award from the Department of Children and Families based on her service and has been featured as a special guest speaker on National Adoption Day for the City of Springfield. During her EI career, Amy has worked with children and families with an array of needs, including complex medical needs, with a focus on supporting the whole family. She is also the parent of a child requiring complex care.
Traccie Hillion, LMHC, CAGS, CEIS
Traccie is an experienced Licensed Mental Health Counselor with demonstrated leadership skills and a history of working in the individual and family services industry. With nearly thirty years of experience in healthcare services, her professional skills include crisis intervention; individual, family, and trauma therapy; case management; clinical supervision; and life transitions. She has spent the past 18 years supporting children and families at Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services. She has held various roles at the program as a service coordinator, team leader, clinical director, and now provides clinical consultation and assessments for young children suspect of having ASD. She currently works for the Baystate Family Advocacy Center where she provides trauma-focused psychotherapy for children and families who have been victims of crime. She also provides mental health services in her private practice and teaches courses in Autism, Life Span Development and Child Development & Counseling at Springfield College.

Battelle Developmental Inventory Basics
2019-06-05 09:30 - 15:30 | Thom Child & Family Services, 251 West Central Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only with a maximum of 18 participants. Thom programs will be charged $10 per employee sent. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6

Description
The Battelle Developmental Inventory™, Second Edition (BDI-2™) is an early childhood instrument which helps measure a child’s progress along the developmental continuum by both global domains and discrete skill sets. This workshop will provide Early Intervention clinicians with basic knowledge on how to use the BDI-2™ to determine eligibility in Massachusetts Early Intervention. Topics to be discussed will include an overview of the tool, a review of administration, scoring instruction, how to interpret the results, and how to share results with families.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Utilize the BDI-2™ testing manuals and materials.
Demonstrate an understanding of eligibility determination for EI services in MA.
Use the BDI-2™ in the EI setting.
Demonstrate the ability to accurately score the BDI-2™.

Presenter Biographies
Katrina Veidins, MPH, CEIS, is a Developmental Specialist (DS) and a Certified Early Intervention Specialist, with a Masters Degree in Public Health. She has been involved in early intervention for over 5 years; first as a Northeastern Co-op Student, then as an intern completing the Early Intervention Certification program, and finally moving into a career as a Developmental Specialist in 2008. Katrina has a great interest in both the clinical aspects of one-on-one Early Intervention care as well as Programming Planning and Development. She has been using the Battelle Developmental Inventory™, 2nd Edition for the past 3 years, and looks forward to helping her fellow clinicians master the tool.
Katie Timmons, DS, CEIS, is a Developmental Specialist and a Certified Early Intervention Specialist for Thom Boston Metro Early Intervention (BMEI). Katie graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2012 with a BS in Biological Sciences and Communication Disorders. Prior to working at Thom, she worked at a residential/day program for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder with intense behaviors. She has been at Thom BMEI since 2013, and has continued her passion for working with those diagnosed with ASD. She is currently the Autism Resource Specialist at Thom BMEI and manages many of the clinical supports surrounding ASD and red flags in the EI population. Katie is a Battelle trainer, and has recently attended DPH’s BDI-2 Institute in 2019 to help further her training abilities and understanding of standardized assessments in early intervention. In her spare time, she enjoys trying to get her two cats to like her.

Deadline for Fazzio Scholarship Applications
2019-05-03
Thom Child and Family Services is committed to supporting our employees’ ongoing professional development. To both encourage ongoing learning and honor a longtime friend of Thom Child and Family Services, the agency’s Board of Directors has established the Phyllis A. Fazzio Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to encourage and support employee development in two distinct training areas: advanced clinical skills, and leadership and management skills. To learn more about the Phyllis A. Fazzio Scholarship, please click here.

The Preterm Infant: Medical, Developmental and Psychosocial Considerations for Early Intervention Clinicians
2019-04-25 11:30 - 16:30 | Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St., Chicopee, MA, 01013, United States
Cost
Free to early intervention staff. Please contact Amy Clark (413-783-5500 x116) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 1.5

Description
Participation in this workshop will provide the learner with a basic foundation for working with preterm infants and their families. The participants will learn about causes, complications, and specific medical conditions related to prematurity. The psychosocial impact of giving birth prematurely and the associated parental reactions will be discussed. Participants will learn about infant subsystems and the ways that infants communicate. Motor issues related to prematurity, as well as positioning and handling techniques will be reviewed. Information will be provided to help parents understand the developmental outcomes of prematurity.
NOTE: The intended workshop level for this session is that of a beginner. Please bring a newborn sized baby doll along with you to the class.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the premature infant including characteristics and medical issues associated with prematurity.
Understand an infant’s five subsystems: autonomic, motor, state, attentional-interactive, and self-regulatory system.
Develop intervention strategies to help infants connect with their environment, including positioning.
Recognize that parenting a premature infant is different than a full term infant; explore the emotions the parents may be experiencing.

Presenters
Kim Chevalier, RN, BSN, MEd, CEIS
Melissa Stern, MS, OTR/L, CEIS

Battelle Developmental Inventory Basics
2019-04-03 09:30 - 15:30 | Thom Child & Family Services, 251 West Central Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only with a maximum of 18 participants. Thom programs will be charged $10 per employee sent. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6

Description
The Battelle Developmental Inventory™, Second Edition (BDI-2™) is an early childhood instrument which helps measure a child’s progress along the developmental continuum by both global domains and discrete skill sets. This workshop will provide Early Intervention clinicians with basic knowledge on how to use the BDI-2™ to determine eligibility in Massachusetts Early Intervention. Topics to be discussed will include an overview of the tool, a review of administration, scoring instruction, how to interpret the results, and how to share results with families.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Utilize the BDI-2™ testing manuals and materials.
Demonstrate an understanding of eligibility determination for EI services in MA.
Use the BDI-2™ in the EI setting.
Demonstrate the ability to accurately score the BDI-2™.

Presenter Biographies
Sandy Brown, MSPT, CEIS, has worked as a physical therapist in early intervention since 2010. She graduated from Boston College with a BA in Special Needs Education. She received her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Simmons College. Sandy has been administering the Battelle for over 8 years. She is looking forward to supporting new Thom employees as they become proficient in their use of the BDI-2. Sandy works as a supervisor at Thom Neponset Valley Early Intervention and hopes to be able to share her Battelle skills with her fellow clinicians.
Danielle Johnson, MSEd, has worked at Thom Neponset Valley Early Intervention since 2014. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a BS in Early Childhood Education and Psychology then received her Masters degree from Wheelock College in Child Development (focusing in Birth to Three, Early Intervention). Danielle particularly enjoys working with children who may be on the autism spectrum or already have an ASD diagnosis. She likes being a support to families as they go through the process of getting a diagnosis, acquiring additional services, and then continuing to work with the family. Danielle has been using the Battelle Developmental Inventory – 2nd Edition for more than four years and is excited to support colleagues as they learn how to administer the tool.

Development of Play in Young Children
2019-03-21 12:30 - 16:00 | Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St., Chicopee, MA, 01013, United States
Cost
Free to early intervention staff. Please contact Amy Clark (413-783-5500 x116) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 1.7, 6.4

Description
Come learn how to support the most important occupation of children! Early intervention clinicians will discuss how to support children’s play skills and partner with families in finding fun ways to challenge and teach children new skills. This is a great workshop for those new to early intervention or who are seeking playful inspiration to guide their therapy sessions.
NOTE: Please car pool if possible as parking can be tight. If available, on street parking is recommended.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Recognize the characteristics, functions and importance of play in the lives of children and families.
Identify how children learn through play, within and across developmental domains.
Discuss interventions and play strategies to enhance child’s play and support family members as play partners.

Presenters
Karen Pellan, DS, CEIS
Melissa Stern, MS, OTR/L, CEIS

Battelle Developmental Inventory Basics
2019-02-07 09:30 - 15:30 | Thom Child & Family Services, 251 West Central Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States
Cost
Thom Child and Family Services employees only with a maximum of 18 participants. Thom programs will be charged $10 per employee sent. Please contact James Young (508-655-5222 x139) to register or for more training information.

Credits
CEIS 2012 Competencies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6

Description
The Battelle Developmental Inventory™, Second Edition (BDI-2™) is an early childhood instrument which helps measure a child’s progress along the developmental continuum by both global domains and discrete skill sets. This workshop will provide Early Intervention clinicians with basic knowledge on how to use the BDI-2™ to determine eligibility in Massachusetts Early Intervention. Topics to be discussed will include an overview of the tool, a review of administration, scoring instruction, how to interpret the results, and how to share results with families.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Utilize the BDI-2™ testing manuals and materials.
Demonstrate an understanding of eligibility determination for EI services in MA.
Use the BDI-2™ in the EI setting.
Demonstrate the ability to accurately score the BDI-2™.

Presenter Biographies
Kim Chevalier, RN, BSN, CEIS, NCSN, MEd, has been a nurse for over 15 years. Her nursing experience has been focused on the pediatric population with 10 years spent in Early Intervention (EI) where she has worked with numerous families of babies born pre-term. In addition to her EI experience, she has worked for 8 years in an urban school system and 3 summers as a residential summer camp nurse. Kim is a certified Infant Massage Instructor, a CPR/First Aid Instructor, and has experience mentoring nursing students. Presently she is employed by Thom Westfield Infant Toddler Services.
Courtney Moreno, MA, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and a certified Early Intervention Specialist. She has practiced at Thom Westfield Infant Toddler Services for over ten years and serves as the programs’ SCERTS Coordinator. Courtney has a particular interest in serving children challenged by autism spectrum disorder and childhood Apraxia of speech. In addition, she has mentored numerous graduate students and Clinical Fellowship Year placements. Courtney is an experienced presenter conducting several workshops focusing on early literacy development, AAC techniques for daycare providers and specializes in supporting programs in incorporating the SCERTS model into early intervention services.
