Since opening our doors in 2009 with one kindergarten class, Children’s Academy has grown into a pretty incredible (if we do say so ourselves) K – 12th Grade School. One of our most recent initiatives has been building an in-house “Transition Skills Program” with a unique curriculum and specific staff to support our middle/upper school students and families. We have ambitious goals for the program and are making steady progress in achieving them.
In an effort to increase transparency and reduce confusion, I’d like to re-introduce you to the staff and the main tenants of the current program:
First up, Meredith Morgan, CA Transition Coordinator, mmorgan@childrensacademynyc.org.
Does Meredith’s name sound familiar?! It should! She has been a beloved Occupational Therapist at CA for many years; specializing in providing age and developmentally appropriate services to our oldest students. She even wrote you a personal message! How nice: “It has been such a joy to be a part of the Children’s Academy community, and I am looking forward to taking on this new role at CA! During the remainder of the school year I will be working to create a transitions based program for our upper school students to begin in the 2023-2024 school year. This program will work to integrate academics and real life experiences to further enrich our students! I am so excited to get started and to evolve in this role to further support the families and students here at CA.”
Meredith will be observing and interacting with all middle/upper school students. This will enable her to have important information when she meets with you all individually to discuss your personal post-high school goals for your child.
Contact Meredith directly to begin the conversation about post-high school possibilities and share your thoughts on how CA could best support your child for young adult life. She (and all of us) are here to listen.
Currently, all middle and upper school students receive Transition Group twice per week for 45 minutes. This engaging group is co-led by one occupational therapist (OT) with one speech and language pathologist (SLP). Transition Group focuses on skills necessary for life skills activities including: Technology and Fitness, Cooking and Meal Preparation, Community Integration, Activities of Daily Living and Self-Care, and Career and Leisure Exploration.
Contact Mary Poillon, CA’s Director of Occupational Therapy, directly for any questions about this group.
Next up, we have Parent Service Coordinator Gina Marino, gmarino@childrensacademynyc.org.
Gina’s overarching duty is to connect CA families to services, supports, and entitlements outside of school: (therapies, benefits, respite, camp, insurance, programs, etc…). You probably know her from the amazing email blasts she sends out containing valuable resources pertaining to our community!
Contact Gina directly to:
- Apply for OPWDD services
- Have her join your child’s OPWDD Life Planning Meetings
- Assist with other benefits and entitlement services (health care proxy, Guardianship, Medicaid, Self-Direction, Consent Evaluation, etc…)
- Get info on both free & paid community resources/events/recreation activities
- Provide referrals to outside providers (therapy, doctors, evaluators, etc. )
- Find additional Speech, OT, PT services covered by Medicaid
- Discuss any post-high school opportunities
We are all looking forward to ongoing collaboration and the many successes yet to come for our students!
