2010
Edition
Take a
Look Inside
• A New Holiday Tradition................2
• Recruiting Efforts: Attracting the The appointment of a new
Best and the Brightest..................2
• The Definition of Success.............3
• KidsCare Therapists Certified in
VitalStim!.....................................3
• Physician Liaisons: Your Link to
KidsCare Therapy........................4
• KidsCare Events...........................4
• New Hires....................................4
KidsCare Moves to Fort Worth
KidsCare Therapy is opening a branch in Fort
Worth! The new office, which will open its doors
early this year, will house administrative staff, as
well as serve as a point of contact for all thera-
pists treating our growing number of Fort Worth
patients. Amanda Shaffstall, SLP, will be assuming
the role of Clinical Manager, and Belinda Salinas
will be the Fort Worth Office Manager. To reach the
office, please call (817) 546-8661.
KidsCare Therapy . 9330 LBJ Freeway, Suite 790
Times Volume II, Issue 1: 2010
Reflections on an
Outstanding Year
What an amazing year 2009
has been for KidsCare Therapy!
Cortney Baker, M.S., CCC/SLP
administrator, Melissa Scott, CFO/President of Clinical Services
CCC/SLP, and the opening of
an administrative site in Fort Worth have been indi-
cators of an eventful and significant time of growth;
in fact with patient increase, we have experienced
growth both in the office with support staff, as well as
with clinical staff. Growth was also seen beyond just
numbers—during the holidays, we transitioned from
buying individual patient gifts into hosting a party for
our patients and their families. Our company holiday
party even had to relocate after we outgrew its
traditional venue.
In addition, KidsCare Therapy supported more com-
munity events than ever before, including the “Life
Without Limits” Run, Walk & Roll, Challenge Air, and
the Turkey Trot. We were present at nearly 40
conferences throughout the nation in efforts to raise
awareness for KidsCare Therapy’s outstanding ser-
vices and to recruit new, talented therapists to join
our company.
Our goals for the new year have been set, and we are
ready to continue to raise the bar for providing qual-
ity home care to the Dallas and Fort Worth pediatric
population. We look forward to using the tremendous
momentum gained in 2009 to help improve the lives
of countless children throughout 2010!
. Dallas T X 75243 . t 214.575.2999 . f 214.575.2727
www.KidsCareTherapy.com
A New Holiday Tradition
Six years ago, when Cortney Baker started buying gifts for
each of her patients during the holiday season, she had no
idea that she was creating a tradition that would grow with
her company; that is, until her company grew so much that
distributing individual gifts to the nearly eight hundred
patients KidsCare Therapy services became impossible.
This led to the planning of the first annual Family Holiday
Party for all Dallas-area KidsCare Therapy patients and their
families.
As with any event, location was key, and there were a number
of factors to consider. The party had to be easily accessible,
Recruiting Efforts: Attracting the Best and the Brightest
In an effort to keep up with the growing demand for therapy
services, KidsCare Therapy has been working hard to
attract new, talented therapists from all
over the country.  Recruiters have been
traveling throughout Texas, as well as
other states, in efforts to promote KidsCare
Therapy and its outstanding services.   ences throughout the year, recruiters
The annual Texas Occupational Therapy
Association  conference  was held in San
Antonio  from November 12th-14th.  The
recruiting and marketing team, as well
as clinical staff, was on hand to represent
KidsCare Therapy to the nearly 400
occupational therapists in attendance. The
conference was an excellent opportunity
to speak with a number of possible new
therapists.
This year’s American Speech and Hearing
Association conference was held from
November 19th-21st in New Orleans. Clini-
cal staff and the recruiting and marketing
www.KidsCareTherapy.com
both in terms of transportation and handicap services.
The Dallas Museum of Nature & Science fit these needs
perfectly, as it’s near both a DART and public bus route,
and the facility caters to wheelchairs and other disabilities.
The nature of the guest list also created some unique chal-
lenges. Many of KidsCare Therapy’s patients deal with
sensory issues—they are overwhelmed by overly stimulating
sounds, colors and activity around them. Amidst the crafts
and activities, dinner, prize giveaways, balloon artists, face
painters and a visit from Santa,
overstimulation was inevitable.
To give these children a safe
place to relax and return to base
level, a “relaxation room,” com-
plete with dim lighting, soothing
music and a number of calming
activities, was created. 
The party was a huge success,
thanks in part to the overwhelm-
ing support and attendance by
company employees, and set
the bar high for future events.
“The first ever patient holiday
party was the best thing we’ve ever done for our families—
I could not have been more thrilled to serve all of the kids
with whom we have the pleasure of working, and I was left
smiling about it for the entire next week!” said Baker.
team again  joined over ten thousand other people in
attendance.  KidsCare Therapy  hosted a recruiting happy
hour and spoke with several potential
candidates.
In addition to attending multiple confer-
are developing mentorship programs
for current therapy students, building
relationships with universities, offering
incentives for applicants, and maintain-
ing an active presence through social
media. If you or anyone you know is
interested in learning more about an
exciting, challenging and rewarding
career in pediatric home health with
KidsCare Therapy, please contact:
Krystal Szczsponik, Dallas Recruiter,
kszczsponik@kidscaretherapy.com
Jodi Milner, Fort Worth Recruiter,
jmilner@kidscaretherapy.com
The Definition of Success
A physical therapist would describe “success” as being able
to facilitate improved functional mobility, independence and
strength through the use of therapeutic innovations. Jesus
Pedroza is a shining example of how physical therapy can
make an impact on the activities of daily living for children
with developmental delays.

When I met Jesus, I was struck by his boisterous yet affec-

tionate personality. Jesus, a three-year-old boy with Down
syndrome, was referred to physical therapy for gross motor
delays. As with most children with Down syndrome, he pre-
sented with low muscle tone, joint hypermobility, decreased
strength endurance, poor balance and lack of coordination.
At initial evaluation, Jesus was unable to remain standing
erect for more than a minute, fell frequently, could not inde- Achieving Your Child’s Goals, One Step at a Time
pendently ascend the steps outside his apartment, and was
unable to kick or catch
a ball.

In order to provide Jesus

with improved stability,
we worked with an or-
thotist to obtain Sure-
Step orthotics. SureStep
orthotics are designed
to provide children with
low tone and excessive
pronation more stability through the hindfoot, but flexibility in
the forefoot, to allow running and jumping. Jesus has shown
significant improvements in gait, balance and coordination
since receiving his orthotics.
Other important components of his therapy have been ther-
apeutic exercise and home exercises for strengthening. His
family has played an integral role in working with Jesus on
developmentally appropriate activities for strengthening. He
has shown gains in strength and core stability through Swiss
ball training, sit ups, climbing activities and weighted vest
use. The combinations of strength training and equipment
ordered through therapy have enabled Jesus to make sig-
nificant gross motor gains. He is now able to climb the stairs
with stand by assist, jump off the ground with both feet, kick
a ball, catch a ball, run, and play without without frequent
fall. Jesus’ progress has been observed empirically through
improvement on standardized testing. As his physical thera-
pist, I have enjoyed being able to play a role in helping him
achieve greater independence and mobility.
KidsCare Therapists
Certified in VitalStim!
KidsCare Therapy’s commitment to providing the very
best service to our patients means that we must stay
informed of and trained in the latest treatments and
procedures. The medical field is always changing as
newer, more effective ways of treating patients are
discovered.
Earlier this fall, over 25 KidsCare therapists attended
an intense training seminar to become VitalStim certi-
fied. VitalStim is a form of Neuromuscular Electrical
Stimulation that treats patients with dysphagia, or dif-
ficulty swallowing. This FDA approved treatment uses
electrodes to target muscles necessary for swallowing.
The stimulation, combined with therapist-led exercis-
es, can help a patient return to normal eating patterns
and, essentially, a
more normal life.
KidsCare is excited
to begin of fering
this program to our
patients!

— Heather Anderson, PT

www.KidsCareTherapy.com
Physician Liaisons: Your January 8 & 9
Infant Mental Health Conference
Link to KidsCare Therapy Dallas, TX

The process of coordinating a child’s therapy services can be January 21

a complicated and extensive undertaking, requiring clear University of Oklahoma
communication and coordination between doctors, therapists Health Fair
and providers. To keep the process running smoothly, KidsCare Norman, OK
Therapy has two Physician Liaisons, Kerry Blood and Arlene
Ortega, who are responsible for forming and maintaining relationships with the Dallas and February 2
Fort Worth medical community in efforts to ensure that all paperwork is received in a San Angelo State Career Fair
timely manner. This collaboration with numerous referral and intake coordinators, special
San Angelo, TX
services directors and various other positions is critical to the continuation of the essential
treatment we provide to area children.
February 6
Live the Dream Expo
In addition, different offices have different practices; therefore, these ladies are con-
Garland, TX
stantly striving to find ways to make the process as easy as possible for each party
involved. In early 2010, KidsCare Therapy will be introducing an email address coordina-
tors can use for submitting all paperwork (save referrals—which must be done either February 20
through the online form found on our website or by fax), and corresponding directly with Educational First Steps
physician liaisons. This gives physician liaisons the ability to immediately follow up in Dallas, TX

KidsCare Events
regards to received and/or incomplete documents.
February 24
Please feel free to contact Cyndi Prince at 214-575-2999 if you have suggestions on how Baylor Career Fair
we can better accommodate your office in coordinating paperwork. Waco, TX

New Hires:
August
Melissa Benavides – Erin Threadhill – SLP
Bilingual PT
Kelly Davis – SLP
Kati Faulkner – STA
Chianti Mathis – SLP
Ginny Miller – SLP
Nima Moore – SLP
September
Adanna Burrell – SLP
Dina Murillo – Bilingual STA
October
Stacy Jackson – SLP
Shari Stahl – OT
Ruby Vergel – Bilingual SLP
Susan Whigham – SLP
December
Patricia Silmon – Bilingual SLP
January
Haley Kemp – CFY
Miriam Reyes – Bilingual STA
Ava Shahparasti - SLP
February 27
Rockwall ISD Community
Resource/Transition EXPO
Rockwall, TX
March 25-27
Texas Speech and Hearing
Association Conference
Fort Worth, TX

KidsCare Therapy . 214.575.2999 . www.KidsCareTherapy.com

9330 LBJ Freeway, Suite 790

Dallas TX 75243