Volume IV, Issue 3 : 2012

Take a look inside!

A Letter from Cortney ......................... 1

A letter from Cortney

While I typically speak in this newsletter about the company status of KidsCare Therapy and what is going on in our community, I want to take the opportunity of this newsletter to write to you about something a little different. About a year ago, I took an opportunity that has changed my perspective on many things, including my leadership of this company and my position within the community. I want to share my experiences of traveling with you as a reminder of the large needs that stretch beyond our city walls, and to bring you the exciting news that the impact we are making in the DFW area has sparked a worldwide initiative not only in myself, but in many others. Of course, continuing to help those here at home remains a top priority, but through students, therapists, educators, and many other volunteers, the impact we have made here in the DFW area has trickled and is making an impact on the world. The healthcare needs of children throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a cause in which I am very passionate about, and a cause in which I have tried to build KidsCare Therapy around. I am proud of the accomplishments this company has made, and of the help we have provided to so many around the area. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to see this company grow into what it has, and feel very fortunate for it. However, over the past year I have felt a calling to use my skill set to help those beyond the walls of KidsCare Therapy,

Mother Daughter Tea Party ............... 2 EYE Can Swim ....................................3 Ronald McDonald House Volunteers ...3 Central Texas Branch Opens ...............3 Refer A Friend ....................................4 Facebook Prizes ................................. 4

and have been fortunate enough to have a few opportunities to participate in great organizations that help others not just here in DFW, but around the world. My journey began with my initial trip to China through an organization called East-West Ministries, but deciding to make this trip to a remote portion of the world was not an easy decision. My doubts sometimes outweighed my decision, and even at the airport I admit to having thoughts of turning around. However, once I arrived in China there was no turning back. I participated in a youth leadership program for Chinese university-aged students through their college where I taught about American culture and assisted in helping perfect conversational English skills. This was an amazing experience for me, as it was a group that I felt I really connected with. I came home from this trip with great memories, lessons learned, and a strong desire to return. In February of this year I went back to China, this time to teach business professionals about western business practices. While this was a more formal lecture-type series,

(continued) I enjoyed the opportunity to share

my culture and what I had learned through the formation of KidsCare Therapy with others, and of course learn about their culture as well. I must admit that once I started the trips they became contagious - so much so that this year my son and I will be going to Zambia, Africa to teach orphans. Abandoned children are a large problem in this culture, and I am excited about the opportunity to help, as well as for the challenges that are sure to come with this trip. My reasons for my travel are the same as my hopes for what comes from them. I hope that as a mother I can inspire my children to reach out and experience the world with an open mind to the differences of others, and a realization of the problems and how they can make a difference. As a business owner I am aware that I have been given the opportunity and responsibility of a leadership position that gives me a platform to promote causes that are near and dear to me. My hopes are that I can inspire not only the employees within KidsCare Therapy, but the community, to embrace the skills and passion that each have been given, and to use it to make the world a better place in any way that we can. I am fortunate that so many of the people I am surrounded with in this industry have found a way to do this in their daily lives through their work, and as I mentioned before their passion has not only inspired me, but many others to make an impact. - Cortney Baker For more information on opportunities for you to get involved, please visit http://www.eastwest. org/ for East West Ministries. You can also find more information about opportunities to serve in Zambia at www.familylegacy.com. In addition, there is another great organization called CLASP International that takes therapists to other countries to provide medical services. We are proud that the founder of this organization is Shannon Raby, a former KidsCare Therapy employee, and love to stay in touch with the recent trips she takes. For more information on this organization, check out www.claspinternational.org

Mother Daughter Tea Party

This past May, the Frisco Womens League invited KidsCare Therapy to the Mother & Daughter Tea 2012. Jennifer Morgan, Clinical Director, brought her daughter Abby Morgan (shown below) to the event located at the Embassy Suites in Frisco. The event was described by Jennifer as, Fabulous, it was like walking into a Candy Land wonderland, especially with Queen Frostine there!. The tea party included a silent auction, portrait photographer, Whimsy Candy Carousel, getaway weekend raffle, kids raffle, style show, hat contest and a contest for Miss Frisco. Whew! The event proceeds, acquired through the silent auction, raffles and sponsorships, will benefit the upcoming Hope Park; An Inclusive Play Adventure! KidsCare Therapy will be sponsoring the textured map located within Hope Park. The park will be designed to integrate special needs children including those with sensory issues, speech, developmental and physical delays. We will keep you all updated on the progress of the park, since they have offered KidsCare Therapy an opportunity to volunteer at the build site. For more information on how you can get involved in the Frisco Womens League please visit http://www.friscowomensleague.org/ or for more information on Hope Park please visit, http://hopeparkfrisco.org/.

EYE Can Swim

The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Division for Blind Services is back at it for their fourth annual EYE Can Swim event in Lancaster, Texas with high expectations to surpass the 285 DFW community members that attended last years record breaking event. This is an event that we look forward to each year at KidsCare Therapy, and we are proud to be sponsoring it again in 2012. For another year, special needs kids, siblings, parents and volunteers will cool off at the Lancaster Recreational Center in Lancaster, TX for two days of aquatic therapy, food and fun for all. Each day, children with vision problems and other disabilities will enjoy a 45 minute aquatic therapy session with assistance from volunteer therapists, parents and members of various agencies. This year KidsCare Therapy will be leading both of the days therapy sessions with our very own therapists, and we are all ready with a group of volunteers to help out!

The therapy will include various in water activities such as wall pushes, ball throwing, and specialized movements on toys such as noodles and swim boards to improve strength and motor skills for children ranging in ages and disabilities. DARS Division for Blind Services assists children and adults with a wide range of vision problems by helping them to integrate themselves into the community and lead a normal life through training and providing assistive technology.

Ronald McDonald House Volunteers

KidsCare Therapy prides itself not just on providing quality healthcare to kids, but also for its philanthropic participation in the community in which we love so much! Thats why a group of KidsCare Therapy employees spent their Monday doing what we love, helping children and their families. With kitchen utensils flying, a group cooked quesadillas, tacos, and sides for a wonderful Mexican feast at the Ronald McDonald house in Dallas. Through the support of volunteers and donors, Ronald McDonald house provides families with hospitalized children private lodging, meals, transportation and entertainment. We had a blast working with this great organization, and we hope to have the opportunity to participate again in the near future! For more information on Ronald McDonald house Dallas and how you can get involved, please visit http://www.rmhdallas.org/.

Central Texas Branch Officially Opens

KidsCare Therapy has officially opened a branch office in the Central Texas area. We are excited about this announcement, as it confirms our growth and establishment into this new market. With contracts for all of the Medicaid HMOs in Waco and the surrounding areas, a growing number of wonderful therapists, and the great ethical and quality healthcare KidsCare Therapy is known for providing. We have experienced exciting growth and a warm welcome from the Central Texas community. We look forward to a long relationship with the medical community in this area. The Central Texas branch office is located at 5400 Bosque Blvd, Suite 260, Waco, TX 76170. Our Central Texas branch services the following counties: Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hill, Limestone, McLennan.
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KidsCare Events
August 2 Mayors Back to School Fair / Fair Park August 4 14th Annual Hispanic Wellness Fair Amon Carter Exhibit Hall August 4 Healthy Family 2012 / Grand Prairie August 4 Family Kickoff Event - Autism Speaks Fort Worth Central Library August 10-11 CEU Course / Dallas Office August 11 All Peak Prep Back to School Health Fair Peak Preparatory Gym August 11 WIC Resource Fair / Vida Life Church August 25 Providers Associations Community Health Fair Double Tree by Hiltion August 31 11th Annual IM KickOff Cook Childrens Medical Center September 8 Resource Fair Texas Baptist Home for Children September 14 Dallas Therapist Meeting / Dallas Office September 21 Fort Worth Therapist Meeting / Ft. Worth Office September 22 Walk of Apraxia of Speech / Bachman Lake Park September 26 Flunch / Dallas Office September 28-29 CEU Course / Dallas Office September 29 3rd Annual Pleasant Grove Harvest Festival Eastfield College Pleasant Grove October 8 Shriners Golf Tournament / Dallas Atheletic Club October 19 CEU Course / Dallas Office

KidsCares New Hires

May Anabella, Therapy Service Coordinator FW Martha, SLP Dallas Stephanie, OT Fort Worth Colleen, OT Waco Jessica, SLP Dallas Sharon, OT Dallas Mindy, Intern-SLP Waco June Kim, Community Relations Coordinator Dallas Sherami, Translator Dallas Karol, Receptionist Dallas Marcia, OT Dallas Lori, OT Dallas

Refer a Friend
Congratulations Quinn Norwood, the most recent winner of the KidsCare Therapy Refer a Friend promotion. As the winner, Quinn received a two night vacation in Hilton Head, South Carolina for two, with hotel and airfare included! The next winner will receive a two night trip to New Orleans for two - so be sure to email Krystal Szczsponik at KSzczsponik@ KidsCareTherapy.com if you know any licensed PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs or SLPs interested in an exciting career opportunity. Contest ends September 14th, so get your referrals in today!

Facebook Prizes!
Here at KidsCare Therapy we love to interact through social media. We think its a great, fun way to provide resources, education, and community events, as well as to stay in touch with each of you. But our love for Facebook shouldnt be one-sided! Thats why we have started our weekly Facebook trivia games each week we post a trivia question and send out prizes to random respondents. Its our way of staying in touch, and thanking each one of you for all that you do. So like us on Facebook and start winning some prizes!

Scan with your smartphone to visit KidsCare Therapy on Facebook

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Fort Worth (817) 546-8661

Central Texas (254) 751-0253