[FYI, we did not meet in November 2015, and we did not write a blog post for the December 2015 meeting.]

During January introductions, we learned that Centrus Health Care is now Maxim Healthcare Services.

Our first speakers were Talitha Abramsen and Dr. Megan Hudson from Brain Balance Center of West Springfield.   This organization opened in West Springfield, MA about five years ago.  Brain Balance works with children with diagnoses such as sensory processing, ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, and others.  Programs are designed for children age 4-17 years old who have the ability to follow directions.  Brain Balance programs combine physical and sensory motor training to assist in “balancing” the left and right brain functions.  This company does not accept insurance.  The costs are $300 for an assessment, $2,500 for the first month, and after that $2,000 a month.  The program typically runs for 4-6 months.  The program is 1 hr/day, for three days/week.

Our second speaker was Emily Rodriguez, Program Manager of the Family Resource Center at the Springfield Family Support Program.  Emily began by explaining who works at the Family Resource Center: Clinician, Family Partner, 2 Resource Specialists, School Liaison, and Community Liaison.  The Family Resource Center helps families with many different needs, such as housing, food, school, behavior concerns, court issues, and many other situations.  The program helps families acquire school uniforms, and they are looking into opening a food pantry.  The Family Resource Center is open on the weekends, benefiting families if emergencies occur on a Saturday or Sunday.  They have several programs: anger management (child and adult), ESL, 12 steps, domestic violence education, parenting classes, and more that can be found on their facebook page.

Here’s a shout-out to the folks at CHD for posting great pictures on #DayofAcceptance.  January 20th is a day dedicated to the social acceptance of disability.

For more information about this celebration, check out this young woman’s video: