QUARTERLY | SPRING 2011 OUTLOOK Creating Opportunities for People with Special Needs ROGER WRITES...Page 2 “What makes the Physical Therapy Department at Racker Centers so unique is that often the therapists NEWS...Page 4-5 see kids starting at such a young age and continue to Director of Special Education work with them through the school years,” says Jody Hired in Tioga County Scriber, Director of Clinical and Educational New Board Members Services... SPOTLIGHTS...Page 6-7 Left: Jody works CHAMPS Program with Emily Papperman in Roger to be Celebrity Dancer the late 80's. at Local Charity Event Website has a New Look! "Starry Night" Respite to Open This Summer MAKING IT HAPPEN...Page 8 Wild Cards! Wild Times! Spinknitters Donate Warm Winter Wear MAKING FRIENDS...Page 9 Letter from Groton Police Department PARENT PERSPECTIVE...Page 10 Adapting to Angels Physical CAMPAIGN UPDATE...Page 11 Therapy Making Room The Long-Term Impact...Page 3 ROGER WRITES NEWS Physical Therapy...continued from cover my understanding of these sessions viewed her in college and the grew and I understood more clearly “The earlier we start working with an assumptions they would make,” says the need for physical therapy.” Amy, a individual the more time we have to Jody, “she was truly quite remarkable.” physical therapist at Racker since the help them develop good habits. Also, Described by Amy as a “motivated, early nineties, remembers working the physical therapists are able to teach dedicated, and talented person who is with Emily saying, “She was always a parents how to help their kids move truly successful in her life,” Emily feels pleasure to see! Even as a youngster properly so there is reinforcement her experience with physical therapy BOARD OF DIRECTORS she set high standards for herself both between therapy sessions.” made a big impact. “It shaped the scope President: Phyllis Joyce academically and in maximizing her of how I view physical activity because Vice-President: John Rudd physical capabilities.” It was through the flexibility and strength training Treasurer: Kara Taylor Racker Centers currently employs 15 Emily’s determination and Racker taught me habits that have enabled Secretary: Howard Schler physical therapists that work at the Centers' committed therapists that agency’s own locations in Cortland, me to maintain my independence. The Emily was able to achieve one of DIRECTORS Tioga and Tompkins County and in therapists at Racker taught me the Bob Bantle homes and private settings in the importance of regular movement, they Roger Sibley, Executive Director Yvonne M. Everhart community. Additionally, Physical were all great. My experience with Elizabeth Gesin Therapy (PT) services are contracted to physical therapy from such a young age Dr. Jeffrey Lewis I am addicted to coffee. And it does not appear to worry me too much. Esteemed area schools including Ithaca, Lansing, has made a big difference in my life," Stephen Lipinski There is a longevity medical journals like Reader’s Digest periodically publish articles about the dangers of Dryden, Groton, Newfield, Trumansburg, she concludes. Brian McAree drinking too much coffee, followed by articles on the benefits the beverage provides. Candor, Spencer-VanEtten, BOCES, and and consistency of David McNeil Children must be referred through When it was announced that five cups of coffee could cause a heart attack, I bought a Gail Murphy local private schools such as Montessori. the service provider bigger mug and limited myself to four. “Our PT’s are a highly trained group their County Health Department Early Cal Organ that doesn’t exist in Intervention Program, their school Christine Schweitzer of individuals that are innovative and her long-term goals and walk to district's Committee on Preschool Many states, New York primarily, are addicted to Medicaid. It happened because there Kevin Shreve committed to finding a way to meet the other areas. the stage to receive her high school Special Education (CPSE) or Committee are many benefits. Medicaid is flexible, can be used for a wide range of needs and a James Willard needs of those they serve," says Jody. variety of ways. Medicaid also allows states to at least double their money. Anything Of their partnership with schools Jody diploma. “It’s important to have a on Special Education (CSE) for an a state chooses to spend is matched by a Federal dollar. So states could “afford” to do EMERITI DIRECTORS says, “Often a physical therapist can be good PT you relate to, because if they evaluation. If a child qualifies, the more, spend more. And there is the addictive trap. Dave Dunlop a resource of information to educators are supportive and encouraging you committee will meet to add the services Sam Forcucci and aides about the needs of an are more likely to succeed,” Emily to the Individual Education Plan Margaret Gibson So how does New York particularly control its addiction? The commonly held view is that individual because there is a longevity comments. (IEP) and goals are established. A Tom Longin Medicaid is a problem of spending more than we can afford. So the solution is to spend and consistency of the service provider prescription is needed from the child's Dan McNeil less. The Governor’s budget proposal cuts $2.7 billion in state spending, which because Now a graduate of Endinboro University pediatrician. Dave Palmer that doesn’t exist in other areas.” of the match totals around $5.5 billion less going to services. The state share would go of Pennsylvania, Emily works Chuck Tompkins as a Peer Counselor at the from $20.8B to around $18B. This is on top of cuts implemented over the past few years. Fred A. (Ben) Williams Emily Papperman, now 25 years-old, started receiving Early Intervention Finger Lakes Independence If we reframe the question and suggest that the problem with Medicaid is cost, we ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS Physical Therapy through Racker Center (FLIC) in Ithaca, NY. keep the outcome of reduced spending but we think about the problem differently. W. David Banfield Centers at 8 months of age to aid in the Part of her role is to conduct Federal Medicaid is a high-control program, lots of rules and regulations and reporting Carolyn Bartell development of her gross motor skills presentations to educate requirements. New York then adds more controls, all of which make things more Tom Bohn impacted by Cerebral Palsy. Emily recalls people on disabilities. Last expensive. Sam Brewer that the activities she did during therapy year she presented to Karin Burgess sessions focused on balance, stability, Ithaca College students Total Quality Management was popular a number of years ago. One of its tenets is that Daphne Cornell strength and stretching. Emily continued in the Culture of each step in a process needs to add value. New York’s Medicaid program provides many Rick Cowan receiving therapy through Racker Disabilities class that opportunities for streamlining and focusing which can result in lower costs and greater John Crosby Centers' physical therapists as she got Jody Scriber was then Eugene C. Erickson effectiveness. older, with her sessions being part of teaching. “Emily Jerome Hass her school day during elementary and came and talked Meg Keilbach In order to make services cost less, we would have to change how we do things. And middle school in the South Seneca to them Richie Moran this is where government is weak. Once a program is put in place, it is never evaluated, School District. “In high school I took about how Kate O'Connell people never examined to see if the outcomes are being reached and the costs are in line. If we Sarah Rich, Ph.D. a bus to the elementary school on are to solve our budget problems without sacrificing our most vulnerable citizens, we George Schneider certain days for PT and throughout the need to find a way. Paul Steiger years I swam at Cass Park with Amy James Turner, Ph.D. (Haefner),” recalls Emily. “As I got older, Cal Walker Eugene Yarussi Emily, now 25 years old, works at Finger Lakes Independence Center as a Peer Counselor. 2 SPRING 2011 SPRING 2011 3 NEWS NEWS Director of Special Education Hired New Board Members In November of 2010, Franziska Racker fully connected to this community.” Comerford, Director of Pupil Personnel Cal Organ has lived and worked in Tompkins County for many years. Centers welcomed Barbara Patten as Services at Owego Apalachin Schools the new Director of Special Education Barbara replaces Dave McNamara, states, “I call Dave for his insight into He retired from BorgWarner Morse TEC after being employed there in Tioga County. Entering the position who served as the Special Education things because of his experience. Dave from 1970 through 2009 working in various positions from Operations to with twenty-nine years of experience Director in Tioga County for the past was very hands-on and an advocate Human Resources. Cal and his wife, Joan, reside in the Trumansburg area. three years and leaves the agency for a for the students first and foremost. Cal is active in the Trumansburg Central School District and serves on the well-earned second retirement. “It was He based things on research and best Trumansburg Central School District Foundation. He has held numerous really a privilege to work with this group practices. I very much look forward to of talented, dedicated and courageous working with Barbara and continuing to Board positions including Cayuga Medical Center, McGraw Housing, and Racker Centers Special people, who work for the children and work with Franziska Racker Centers.” Tompkins County United Way. Education program in families on a daily basis," says Dave. "However, I have done this work for In looking forward, Barbara has some Tioga County serves forty years, and it is time for me to clear ideas about her new role and in nearlyspecial education, 40 children Barbara most pursue some new adventures.