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Asperger's Syndrome

New service offers insurance insights for parents of children with autism.

WORCESTER, MA…

For most parents, preparing your child to go back to school means a trip to the mall for school supplies, a new outfit or two and maybe some new shoes. For parents of children with autism, back to school means all that plus deciphering what programs and assistance is available for their child through the school and what’s available through insurance. A new service offered by Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the treatment of children with autism, is helping parents in Central Massachusetts solve that riddle.

“When the school year begins, many parents utilize the programs available through the school but are unaware that home support and services are available through their private health insurance,” said BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeff Robinson. “We provide home and community services that meet the individual needs of the child and their family. In short, BCI helps students and their families navigate the system.”

Based in Worcester, Mass and with offices Mansfield and West Boylston, Mass., BCI provides much needed services to children with autism and their parents. The process begins with an assessment by qualified and certified behavior analyst. Once an assessment has been made, BCI clinicians develop a treatment plan that remediates behavioral challenges and teaches new skills and replacement behaviors.

Said Robinson, “Since we have experience collaborating with public schools and providing health insurance based services, we can tailor a program for children with autism that fits the child’s unique needs and family’s schedule—while optimizing the full benefits offered by both the schools and the health care provider.”

BCI instructional programs are delivered using discrete trial, task analysis, and systematic prompting procedures implemented by ABA therapists who have successfully completed pre-service training, on-site, and quarterly evaluations by their clinical supervisors. Instruction is provided in: Activities of daily living, functional and augmentative communication, functional academics (children over the age of 7) / academics (under the age of 7), social and play skills, leisure skills, toileting, and food tolerance.

BCI accepts Harvard-Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Behavioral Health, Tufts, Aetna and coverage from other major health care providers.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to the unique needs of the individuals BHC works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of live within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main treatment center is located at 170 Goddard Memorial Drive, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200

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The Bridge Center offers Bridges to Independence: College, Career, Community to students with Asperger’s Syndrome and other disabilities whose goals include college.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, recently announced the 2010-11 schedule for its newest program, Bridges to Independence: College, Career, Community. The program, which serves teens and young adults preparing to either attend college or join the work force, will be held weekly on Saturdays, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and on Wednesdays, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“Bridges to Independence helps teens with disabilities, including Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism, prepare for the transition to independent living as a college student or through meaningful employment,” said Jennifer Harber, executive director of The Bridge Center. “While these teens show very strong skills in many areas, college and employment can create real challenges for them — time management, taking care of themselves by preparing meals and doing laundry, and complicated social expectations. Our program provides them some practical skills that support both academic and employment success.”

The program is tailored for teens and young adults (ages 14- 25) and provides instruction and practice in the skills needed for independent living such as laundry, cooking and cleaning, and balancing a checkbook, as well as career and college focused skills such as completing a job or college application, interviewing, and selecting the best environment.  Additionally, the program provides supervised volunteer work experiences throughout The Bridge Center’s 20-acre campus.  An additional emphasis is placed on social and communication skills, especially self-awareness and skills for working as part of a group.

In addition to the “College, Career, Community” program, The Bridge Center offers an additional program, Bridges to Independence: Work, Friendship, Life. This program is for teens and young adults (ages 14-35) to provide instruction in the skills necessary for increased living independence and vocational success, as well as structured social and recreational opportunities.  Skills addressed include cleaning, cooking skills and safety, and money handling for greater independence.  As with the other Bridges to Independence program, participants practice their work skills throughout campus.

“The Bridges to Independence programs are a key element of our mission at The Bridge Center; they focus on helping young people develop their skills for more independent participation in their communities,” said Harber.

For more information about the Bridges to Independence programs or other programs at The Bridge Center, visit www.TheBridgeCtr.org.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center, which is the new name for Handi Kids, was founded by the Knights of Pythias in 1963. The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

The Bridge Center offers Bridges to Independence: College, Career, Community to students with Asperger’s Syndrome and other disabilities whose goals include college.Read More

Bridge Center Golf Classic aces fundraising efforts

Ch. 5's Susan Wornick and Dr. Neal Andelman at The Bridge Center's Golf Classic.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, held its 19th annual Golf Classic on Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Olde Scotland Links in Bridgewater, Mass. and the Lakeville Country Club in Lakeville, Mass. This year’s classic, which included a dinner, silent auction and traditional auction, raised $158,000 for the Bridgewater, Mass.-based center.

“We had a tremendous turnout for this year’s event with more than 175 golfers participating,” said Jenn Harber, executive director for The Bridge Center. “And with the contributions of our sponsors and others who donated items to the auctions, you’d have call this year’s Classic a smash success!”

Channel 5 anchor Susan Wornick conducted a live auction following dinner with prizes that included the opportunity to see the New England Patriots in Miami FL and a 13- day trip to Costa Rica. 

In addition to funds raised from the golf tournament, dinners and auctions, a number of local businesses sponsored the Golf Classic. Among those were: Equity Industrial Partners, New England Development, Regency Transportation, CWC Builders, Inc., U.S. Pavement Services, Inc., T.L. Edwards, Inc., R.J. O’Connell & Associates, Inc., J.W. White, Murtha Enterprises, Triumph Leasing and The Dunkin Donuts Franchise Owners

One hundred percent of proceeds of the Golf Classic are allocated to The Bridge Center’s programs and services.

“The Bridge Center is central to the live of so many children and families, mostly due to the programs we offer, such as specialized summer camps, Bridges to Independence for teens and young adults, and Hippotherapy that provides occupational and physical therapy services,” said Harber. “And it is the generosity and loyalty of our supporters in the community that make it all possible. For nearly 50 years, there’s been unbelievable support for the work we do here. The Golf Classic is an annual reminder of how strong that base truly is.”

For more information on The Bridge Center, including the 2010 program schedule, please visit http://www.TheBridgeCtr.org. The Bridge Center strives to achieve a “no child is turned away” policy. Financial assistance and assistance with transportation are available.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center, which is the new name for Handi Kids, was founded by the Knights of Pythias in 1963. The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

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New summer programs offered at The Bridge Center in Bridgewater, Mass.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, recently announced its new portfolio of camp programs for Summer 2010. Camp is offered to children and adolescents aged 4-22.

That new portfolio includes:

Camp Connect – Designed for children and teens with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and related challenges, Camp Connect offers programming and supports designed to support social skills and thinking development and practice.  Camp Connect offers three- and six-week sessions with 2:6 counselor:camper ratios. First , six-week session begins Monday, June 28 and ends August 6; second Lite session (three weeks) begins August 9 and ends August 27.

Camp Summit – Designed for campers who struggle with behavioral control and benefit from significant behavioral supports and structures, Camp Summit provides an environment focused on success using a behavioral level system for the whole camp and individualized behavior plans as appropriate.  Camp Summit offers one- and three-week sessions with 2:6 counselor:camper ratios. First weeklong session begins June 28. The more intensive Summit session lasts three weeks and runs August 9 through August 27.

Camp Endeavor – Designed for campers with learning, intellectual, and developmental disabilities who benefit from intermittent or limited support, Camp Endeavor helps campers try new activities, meet new people, and feel successful.  Camp Endeavor offers one-week sessions throughout the summer with 1:3 or 1:2 counselor:camper ratios in order to assure that every camper has the appropriate accommodations so they may fully participate in all activities. One-week sessions start June 28 through week of August 23.

Camp Discovery – Designed for campers with intellectual and developmental disabilities who benefit from extensive or pervasive support, Camp Discovery provides campers full access to all activities with its 1:1 or 1:2 counselor:campers ratios that assure appropriate modifications are in place throughout camp.  Camp Discovery staff support campers with ADLs (activities of daily living) as needed and offers one1-week sessions throughout the summer. One-week sessions start June 28 through week of August 23.

Horse Camp – Designed for campers aged 8+ who love horses, Horse Camp offers riding center activities every morning, including one mounted riding lesson each day.  In the afternoons, campers join Camp Endeavor and participate in a variety of camp activities.  We offer four 1-week sessions of Horse Camp during the summer, typically with 1:3 counselor:camper ratios. Sessions take place the weeks of: July 6, July 19, August 2 and August 16.

“Structured recreational activities are key ingredients for children’s social, emotional and physical development,” said Jennifer Harber, executive director of The Bridge Center.  “Our specialized camps offer children maximum opportunities to grow from their summer experiences.”

For more information on The Bridge Center’s camp schedule, including fees, please visit http://www.TheBridgeCtr.org. The Bridge Center strives to achieve a “no child is turned away” policy. Financial assistance and assistance with transportation are available.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center, which is the new name for Handi Kids, was founded by the Knights of Pythias in 1963. The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges. 

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

New summer programs offered at The Bridge Center in Bridgewater, Mass.Read More

The Bridge Center to host annual golf tournament at Old Scotland Links and Lakeville Country Club on July 19

Deadline for entry extended to June 30

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, will host its 19th annual Golf Classic on Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Olde Scotland Links in Bridgewater, Mass. and the Lakeville Country Club in Lakeville, Mass.

A scramble format will be in play for the Classic. Entry fee is $250 per person and includes golf fees, cart, prizes, lunch and buffet dinner. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to The Bridge Center. Of the $250 entrée fee, $175 is tax deductible.

“The Golf Classic is the largest fundraiser we hold every year and is always well attended, which is why we’re holding it on two courses,” said Jenn Harber, The Bridge Center’s Executive Director. “In the past, this event has sold out, so anybody interested in playing for a great cause should sign up by June 30.”

Interested golfers can register for the Classic online on The Bridge Center’s Web site at http://www.thebridgectr.org. If you can’t make the golf tournament, you can attend the dinner for $75, including cocktails. Registration for dinner is also done via The Bridge Center’s Web site.

In addition to the golf tournament, a live auction will be held during dinner. Channel 5’s Susan Wornick, a longtime supporter of The Bridge Center, will be the guest auctioneer.

If you own a business and are interested in sponsoring the Golf Classic, you can get more information by clicking on the Golf Classic link on The Bridge Center’s home page.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center, which is the new name for Handi Kids, was founded by the Knights of Pythias in 1963. The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

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The Bridge Center names Robert Rhuda as development director

Robert Rhuda
Robert Rhuda

BRIDGEWATER, MASS…

 The Bridgewater, Mass.-based The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, recently named Robert Rhuda as its Director of Development and Communication.

 In this role, Rhuda is responsible for bridging the gap between the cost of offering The Bridge Center’s programs and services and the nominal fees they charge to families.  He is also charged with raising the organization’s profile in the philanthropic community to secure the long-term funding required for long-term sustainable growth.    

“We’re pleased to have someone of Rob’s skill and experience in this newly created position,” said Jennifer, Harber, executive director of The Bridge Center. “Fundraising is the lifeline of our business and with Rob’s extensive experience as a grant writer, special events organizer and outreach coordinator, it gives us a proven commodity in raising monies and generating interest in The Bridge Center.”

Rhuda has worked with non-profit organizations that support adults with disabilities and inner-city youth, both in raising funds and awareness. Prior to his work in development, Rob was employed as an MIS project manager in the financial services industry. Rhuda holds an undergraduate degree from UMASS Boston with a major in Economics and earned an MBA from Boston College with a concentration in Finance and MIS.

“These are very exciting times at The Bridge Center and it’s an honor to be a part of this team.  We so fortunate to have a group of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities,” said Rhuda. 

A resident of East Bridgewater, Rhuda enjoys golf and hiking the White Mountains in his spare time.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related disabilities.

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please visit their website at www.TheBridge Ctr.org, call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

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New name. Same outreach to children in need. Bridgewater-based Handi Kids becomes The Bridge Center.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

Handi Kids, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional challenges, is pleased to announce that it will now be known as The Bridge Center (www.TheBridgeCtr.org). This new name was chosen to better reflect the expansion of programs they offer to children and families throughout the South Shore and Greater Boston areas.

Founded in 1963 by the Knights of Pythias, The Bridge Center’s mission is to support families by providing children with opportunities to build social, emotional and physical skills so they may participate fully in their communities. 

The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their challenge. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

New Executive Director Jenn Harber explains:  “To those families and supporters who have long been a part of the Handi Kids family, we want you to know that you are still an integral part of who we are and what we do.  To those of you who may be hearing about us for the first time please contact us to learn more.  These are exciting times and we would love for you to join us.”

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

 

 

New name. Same outreach to children in need. Bridgewater-based Handi Kids becomes The Bridge Center.Read More