Happy New Year Families and Friends! I hope that everyone enjoyed a peaceful and joyful holiday season. Much growth took place in 2015, with the continued expansion of our Community-Based Instruction program into its own space, and with more program offerings, and the re-branding of NBA, starting with our new grey, navy and yellow décor in the clinic. Look for our upcoming new website and refreshed marketing materials as well. NBA’s Calendar of Events went out for the first time in December 2015, and provides an overview of the upcoming social events. Our Small Group Instruction and Tutor programs also continue to thrive, with more diversity and fun activities, as well as the addition of new, and enthused tutors. NBA also welcomed two babies into the NBA Family. Assistant Director, Jane Helbig gave birth to Mabel Adelle, and Community-Based Instruction Coordinator, Randee Wagner, to Kenedee Lynn. Congratulations to you both!
NBA’s quality services, training and ongoing supervision, also continue to reach West Virginia and Jordan; in West Virginia, Wendy Knowles serves as the Behavior Specialist for the Potomac Center, a residential placement center for children with intellectual/developmental disabilities and severe behavioral issues. She has helped them redesign their entire program using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, and, when applicable, Cognitive Behavior Therapy. After a 14 year-long dream of creating a formal branch of NBA in Amman, Jordan, that dream is finally becoming reality, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our Director, Dr. Stacey Shook. The end of 2015 indeed saw the birth of the Star Project, which offers services to children with autism and special needs in a clinic-based setting, while also providing much needed behavior analytic training opportunities, and support, in the Middle East.
The start of 2016 brings the NBA family even closer to our Art for Autism auction taking place October 1st at the Four Seasons in Downtown Seattle. Our theme this year is ‘Glitz, Glamour and Gatsby’, and the evening promises to be dazzling! AFA Co-Chairs, Tracey Newsome and Alex Chehab, continue to look for dedicated committee members, volunteers and sponsors. Should you be interested in either of those, please contact Alex. As has been noted before, it is the proceeds from AFA that support your student’s Program Manager and overall quality of service. More importantly, AFA allows NBA to provide service scholarships to a variety of families.
Hoping everyone enjoys spring, and as always, thank you to all of the families, friends, and supporters of NBA, for your continued dedication to our company and cause!
Thanks so much,
Alex. Chehab, Development Coordinator