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‘It has been amazing’ KennethKenneth KauffmanKauffman || photophotos Early Intervention lays groundwork for later success In the front room of Zulaika’s home, Early Intervention Special Instructor Maribel Garcia is singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” with Naomii, Zulaika’s two-year-old granddaughter. When the song concludes, Maribel gently guides Naomii to bake a Playdoh cake for the tiny doll she has in her hands. Maribel has worked with Naomii for more than a year, ever since Zulaika took over custody of her two granddaughters. RHD’s Early Intervention program works with children identified as having early childhood medical diagnosis or developmental delay. An Early Intervention special instructor works with Naomii on skills in social and emotional development as part of her referral by the Department of Human Services. “Naomii’s response to Maribel was rocky in the beginning,” Zulaika said. “Naomii only spoke with her hands — and that came in the form of hitting those around her.” Today Naomii communicates in English and Spanish, and Zulaika reports that her behavior is much improved. “I’m very happy with Naomii’s progress,” Zulaika says. “I’m blessed with all the services and the people who have worked with Naomii since the beginning.” Early Intervention: RHD Early Intervention Special Instructor Maribel Garcia works See EARLY INTERVENTION / page 2 with Naomii on improvement of social skills and language skills. THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NONPROFIT RESOURCES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT WHO WE ARE: Resources for Human Development is a national VISIT US AT: www.rhd.org human services nonprofit founded in 1970 that specializes in creating innovative, quality services that support people of all WINTER 2016 WINTER abilities wherever the need exists. In partnership with government and those we serve, RHD builds better communities through more than 160 caring and effective programs in 15 states. Main Line Wine Gala benefits All in a RHD programs RHD welcomed Laurent Drouhin, proprietor and the great grandson of the founder of Maison Joseph Drouhin, as Day’s Work honorary chair for the 2016 Main Line Wine Gala, an annual event celebrating the world’s See story page 4 most innovative winemakers and benefiting RHD’s innovative human services. Pierre Calmels, one of the country’s finest French chefs, served as Gala Chef. Drouhin visited RHD’s Center for Creative Works, a studio for artists with intellectual disabilities and one of the RHD programs benefiting from the Gala. “Seeing and speaking with the artists there was a memorable experience,” Drouhin said. “It was easy to see the sense of purpose they get from their work. I applaud RHD for the very, very important work they are doing.” The Tucker Law Group was the Grand Cru sponsor for the Main Line Wine Gala. All the generous donors who support RHD help us develop caring and effective programs that create brighter futures for people of all abilities. For a full list, please see Page 6. Darrell is just one of many people supported at RHD programs who have found and maintained Thanks for your support: Joe H. Tucker, Jr. of Tucker Law Group (left) supported RHD’s 2016 Main Line Wine meaningful employment in their communities Gala as Grand Cru Sponsor. Kenneth Kauffman | photos Chief Executive Officer Dyann Roth Board of Directors Michael Denomme, Ph.D.,M.S.W., Chairman Sheldon Steinberg, V.M.D. Anthony J. Parrotto Avrene L. Brandt, Ph.D. JoAnn E. Connelly, M.S.W., L.S.W. Building blocks: RHD Early Intervention Special Instructor Maribel Garcia (left) works with Naomii as Zulaika, Naomii’s grandmother, looks on. Kevin Douglas, M.S.W. “Since Sa’de has come in and we’ve obtained these services, Peri Higgins, M.B.A. EARLY INTERVENTION it’s been amazing. Lynden has surpassed where I thought Diane Menio, M.S.W. he would go.” Peter Neuschul from front page Early Intervention is just one example of how RHD has Caryn Reichlin Johnson, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA Supporting more than 200 children, RHD’s Early been a pioneer in creating unique programs for children. Barbara Shoulson Intervention empowers families and caregivers to deliver Terry Soulé, M.S. Thousands of children and their families have found Samantha Jones-Thomas, B.S.N. skills and strategies that improve their child’s development caring, effective support at RHD that has helped them Bertram Wolfson, Esq., President Emeritus in their natural learning environment. Home and achieve their behavioral and educational goals. community-based services are delivered to parents and RHD’s children’s services continuum is very diverse, All directors are volunteers and, once elected, caregivers of children from infants to preschoolers. but the way RHD delivers services is similar. All RHD serve for an indefinite duration. From Special Instruction to Occupational and Physical programs are trauma-informed and person-centered, and Contact Us Therapy, to Social Work and Nutrition, Early Intervention family engagement is a significant initiative. Phone: 215.951.0300 or 1.800.894.9925 offers services to families of varying socioeconomic RHD supports families of all backgrounds in ways that Email: [email protected] backgrounds. In-person and phone interpretation are also work best for them, by going into the home to deliver Web: www.rhd.org offered for parents who do not speak English. personalized service at the highest level. Mail: P.O. Box 12280 Early Interventionists work in collaboration with “It’s rewarding,” Sidibe said. “This program has been in Philadelphia PA 19144 families and caregivers to develop goals. The team also existence since 1996 and we’ve been able to serve multiple MyRHD is published quarterly, mailed to supporters, works together to develop the specific service and/ families as a result.” donors and government officials. It is meant to inform or educational plan that is designed to maximize the As the session with Sa’de winds down, Lynden takes a about RHD’s activities, innovations and successes in the children’s strengths and help them learn new, more yellow truck from his toy chest and places his plush grey more than 160 human-services programs it operates progressive ways of functioning. Therapeutic activities hippo on top of it. As he pushes the truck around the throughout the country. If you wish to unsubscribe to such as playing, dressing and eating can be a large part of room, Sa’de has one more request for Lynden: “Repeat after MyRHD, please email [email protected] or write us at the understanding the child’s growing needs. me — five, four, three, two, one!” address above. Naomii’s therapy goals include improvement of language After he repeats the last number, Sa’de smiles and says: skills and better control of her behavior. Their sessions “Good job, buddy! We’re all done!” have come a long way. When Maribel first began working How you can help with Naomii, the little girl’s verbal communication skills were very limited. More than 50,000 people each year Besides the utilization of songs, playtime, and art gain the support and encouragement projects, Maribel communicates with Naomii in English and in Spanish, a language she’s known since birth. She they need to build better lives for worked to create a comfort zone for Naomii, making a themselves, their families, and their slow but steady impact. communities through RHD’s many “When you’re in the home, you’re working with the human-services programs. Their family, you’re impacting their whole environment by milestones and successes, large and your presence,” RHD Early Intervention Director Shawna small, are made possible through the Sidibe said. “Working with the family is key in the child’s generosity of people like you. development. Having an opportunity to work with Your support helps provide the children in Early Intervention prepares them not only for resources people of all abilities need school age programming, but even for reducing some of as they work to build better lives for those risk factors that could happen in adulthood.” themselves, their families and their When RHD Early Intervention Special Instructor Sa’de communities. You can help support Edwards arrives at La Toya’s home, she greets La Toya’s two-year-old son Lynden with a slew of questions: caring, effective and innovative “Good morning! Did you miss me? What do you want to programs that emphasize the person do today?” in the service, with a belief that each La Toya found her way to Early Intervention services human being, no matter what their through a referral, after a worrisome few months of fear challenges, should be treated with that Lynden was lagging behind other children his age in dignity and respect. You can help give vocabulary. La Toya’s pediatrician recommended an Early people the opportunity to develop Intervention evaluation. to their full potential, improving the “From the first time Sa’de came here, she was on Lynden’s quality of life and creating brighter level,” La Toya said. “She made it fun and was about futures for all RHD clients. interacting with Lynden as a person. She stepped outside Please use the enclosed envelope of what her job was and engaged him.” to send a check or donate online at During a break, Lynden pulls out a skateboard from his toy chest that is almost larger than he is. Sa’de immediately www.rhd.org prompts him to verbalize “push” and “pull” as he maneuvers the board in the small living space. As Lynden A huge impact: La Toya reads with her son, Lynden, who has been echoes the words, his mother looks on with a smile. working with RHD Early Intervention. “It’s been amazing,” La Toya said.