PCDA Newsletter
PCDA Newsletter

From the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

I have the great privilege of leading PCDA and seeing the faces of the many children and families who come here each day. We are very proud to use the DIR- developmental relationship-based approach in all of our services, as this guides our work and leads to outstanding outcomes. As the third part of my explanation of DIR, today I would like to focus on the 'functional emotional developmental milestones' - the D part of the DIR model. These milestones are the pathway we follow, with activities and strategies to support advancement 'up the developmental ladder.' Rather than a focus on discrete skills, we focus on developmental capacities including: the ability to engage in warm, pleasurable interactions, the ability to communicate around a wide range of feelings, to share in problem solving, and to use creative, logical and reflective thinking around emotional ideas. With these as our guideposts, we help children advance to higher levels of relating, thinking, and communicating. Dr. Greenspan used to say, 'you get what you practice,' and with the DIR model we get children who are warm, empathetic, kind, energetic and creative. I invite you to come visit and learn more about the many programs and services available for children with special needs and their families, as well as ways you can support our efforts.

Thank you,
Diane Cullinane, M.D.
Executive Director

Please help us help special needs children -
click on the flowers to donate today

Upcoming Events

PCDA Children’s Choir to sing with Maximo Marcuso at July 4th AmericaFest presented by Honda at the Rosebowl! See us perform – more information here.
PCDA Parent Survey

We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and participate in our annual parent survey by July 15th!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PFVXLWX



Be a part of PCDA website or video!

Please let us know if you would be willing to have us take photos or film your child and you, in the clinic or at home. Or, send us photos of you and your child and family together. You can send them to development@pcda.org, drop off copies at reception or give them to your clinician. We will be sure to obtain your consent before using them, and we will not use names unless you want to. Also, we love to receive quotes from you about PCDA. Thank you for helping us to tell the PCDA story- which is the story of your child and you!


Two New Social Skills Programs

Fun and Friends*
A Social Skills group for 3-4 year olds
PCDA is now offering Social Skills playgroup for 3-4 year olds!
Friday mornings from 9am – 10:30am at PCDA.
Parents are encouraged to join the fun with their little ones.

Socials Skills Group now in Baldwin Park!*
PCDA is happy to announce their collaboration with the City of Baldwin Park Department of Recreation and Community Services. Social Skills Groups are now being offered at the Teri G. Muse Family Service Center.

*Both programs are vendored by the regional center

For more information, please contact Jennifer Avendano at 626-793-7350 x222

PCDA Newsletter

In the Spotlight:


TATIANA AND MATTHEW

“We were happy to learn that two of our very own Teen Buddies teens attended prom together. We are so excited to see Matthew in his tuxedo and Tatiana looked beautiful in her dress. Prom is such a special experience for teens and we’re glad that Tatiana and Matthew were able to partake in this exciting event.” - Jennifer Avendano, Head of Programs Department

Congratulations Jose Chavez for being
DI of the Month!

Jose Chavez was May 2017’s DI of the month! Jose has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Before working at PCDA, he worked with children, teens, and young adults in a variety of settings including middle and high schools, church mentorship programs, and a local non-profit agency. Jose has led and facilitated small groups of teens and young adults in community settings to integrate and build relationships with public workers. He currently works with a diverse group of children and families and always supports clients and colleagues with translation in Spanish when needed. Jose is eager and passionate about supporting PCDA by using his interest in video and audio recording to show members of the local community the work PCDA does with parents and children, and he leads and conducts assessments for the Young Adults program. His commitment and dedication to DIR/Floortime at PCDA for over 2 years has ensured his success as a clinician. Congratulations, Jose!

NOW HIRING Child Development Interventionists

A child development interventionist supports a child through play-based intervention in programs in the clinic and in the home and community settings.

For more information, visit: http://www.pcdateam.org/career-opportunities/


HELP US GET FUNDING FOR ALL AUTISM TREATMENT!

The DIR/Floortime Coalition has a new bill--Senator Anthony Portantino's SB 399 will require insurance funding for the most appropriate treatment approach for each patient with autism!

We need you to add your name to our sample letter. We must show that parents, professionals, and organizations are behind this bill.

Please click here to add your name: http://www.dirfloortimecoc.com/news--updates.html

Book of the Month:
I Love You the Purplest
By Barbara Joosse,
Mary Whyte (Illustrations)

I Love You the Purplest is a creative story of the special relationships within a family. Each brother is beginning to explore his role in the family and seeking reassurance from his mother. The mother is loving and appreciative of each of her son’s individual differences. While the boys question their mother, the illustrations show the family engaged in the shared pleasurable activities of an adventurous summer vacation.

Nutrient of the Month:
Choline

Choline is a nutrient that is very important to maintaining healthy cells all over the body, exchanging signals in the brain, and moving your muscles. Eggs, meats, fish, quinoa, dark-leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and milk are good sources of choline. Try offering this flavorful Brussels sprout dish at a family dinner. Don’t be surprised if your children enjoy it!


Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 slices bacon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Cut each Brussels sprout in half.
  3. In a large bowl, mix Brussels sprouts with olive oil.
  4. Pour Brussels sprouts onto a large sheet pan and evenly sprinkle salt and pepper over them.
  5. Cut bacon in to 1 inch pieces and evenly place them throughout Brussels sprouts.
  6. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
  7. Enjoy!

We are honored to have your support – thank you,
June 2017 Donors!

De and Louis Abel

Dr. Diane and Bill Cullinane

Jolie Elman

Colleen Ferguson

First Foundation Bank

The Fletcher Jones Foundation

Kimberly and Eric Kaufman

Gloria and Paul Kilian

Vidia Mamesah

Tessa and Kenton Nelson

John Plumb

Preetha Sundareswaran and Sunil Mangalassary

Katherine and Warren Wimmer

Taryn Wong

PCDA Newsletter

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Support your PCDA by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. To learn more please click here.

Click here to visit our wish list to
make an in-kind donation.
PCDA Newsletter
PCDA is committed to providing children with developmental challenges and their families with the best possible child development programs. Your donations will help us continue our commitment in leadership in service and professional education. PCDA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Please learn more about the ways that you can support our efforts.

For further information, please contact Franci Levine-Grater at (626) 793-7350 ext. 289.
PCDA's Mission
PCDA improves the lives of children and young adults who have autism or other developmental challenges, through leadership in family-centered, multidisciplinary services and professional training.
PCDA Newsletter
PCDA Newsletter
PCDA Newsletter
PCDA Newsletter

View this email in your browser
You are receiving this email because of your relationship with Professional Child Development Associates. Please reconfirm your interest in receiving emails from us. If you do not wish to receive any more emails, you can unsubscribe here.

620 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91101


Update Profile/Email Address