Fall

2017

The bi-annual newsletter published by St. Francis Children’s Center

Fall 2017: Volume 6
Our mission is to serve and educate children with special needs in
inclusive environments enabling them to reach their greatest potential.

St. Francis Children’s Center’s New Look

By Mara Dučkens, Executive Director
Every day, we hear parents and children remark about But there’s more! In honor of our 50th Anniversary in
the life-changing programs at St. Francis Children’s 2018, you may have noticed that we have also updated
Center. Parents use words like empowering, accepting, our logo. The three vibrant colors in the design come
supportive and nurturing to describe our programs. directly from our playful classrooms and therapy spaces,
Children talk about the fun, friendships, learning and and the three arches represent nurturing and growth,
play that takes place. From our top-rated inclusive Early like a bird in a nest preparing for flight. After all, that
Education Center, to our high-impact community- is what we specialize in at St. Francis Children’s Center
based programs for children with special needs, we are – helping all children find the inner-strength and self-
ensuring that young children – and their families – have confidence needed to soar.
the tools needed to reach their greatest potential.

To acknowledge our unique approach to working

with children and families, and to celebrate the daily
successes taking place at St. Francis Children’s Center, we
have recently redesigned our website. We hope you will take time to visit our website often,
and stay connected through our regular email updates
and Facebook posts. (A shorter version of this story can
also be found on our new blog.)

In this Issue:
2 Celebrating Siblings
3 Becoming Rock Stars
With easy to navigate pages, colorful images, and 3 Sign-up for our email list!
inspiring stories, we are confident that you will enjoy
exploring our new site. Whether you are signing up for 4 Help Me Talk
programming, making a donation, checking the school 5 Joshie’s Journey Through Birth to Three
lunch menu, or perusing the Family Activity Center
calendar, you will be able to easily access the information 6 Volunteers of the Year
you need. And while you’re on our site, we know you will
glean a sense of the magic that takes place at St. Francis
7 Awards Banquet Raises Record Amount
Children’s Center, day in and day out. 7 Save the Date: Wine, Beer & Chocolate!
www.sfcckids.org | www.facebook.com/sfcckids
Sibshops: Celebrating Siblings of Children with
Special Needs!
By Dori Buschke, Director of Programs

The typically developing brothers and sisters of children when their siblings with special needs are bullied or
with special needs are a special group too. Though they made fun of. It angers and saddens them when this
are unique individuals, they often share a set of concerns happens, yet they are sometimes embarrassed by their
and challenges that come with their role. A significant siblings. Some have disclosed the worry of acquiring the
fact sometimes overlooked is that these brothers and conditions experienced by their brothers or sisters.
sisters will most likely be involved in the lives of their
siblings with special needs longer than anyone else in Attending Sibshops allows children to express their
the family. This alone demonstrates the importance of concerns, fears and frustrations in a safe and accepting
providing them with education, support and information environment where they learn that their new-found
that will lay a solid and healthy foundation for their friends experience the very same feelings. The adult
journey ahead. facilitators, specially trained to offer Sibshops groups,
carefully guide discussion and validate the children’s
At St. Francis Children’s Center, we are delighted to feelings.
help provide this foundation through our offering of
a program called Sibshops, founded in 1990. In the Former Sibshops attendees have expressed deep
Sibshops sessions, typically offered monthly, the children appreciation for what the program has brought to their
engage in energetic games and activities that foster lives beyond closer relationships with their siblings.
friendship, trust and bonding. This in turn allows them Lasting friendships have been made with others they’ve
to engage in open and frank discussions about their met through the program and some have been inspired
love for their siblings with special needs as well as the to choose career paths working with individuals with
frustrations they experience because of them. special needs and disabilities.

For more information on Sibshops at St. Francis

Children’s Center, visit our website at sfcckids.org or call
Jennifer Drechsler at 414-351-8851 ext. 314.

Common themes emerge when the children discuss

these complex relationships. Often times these kids feel
left out and ignored due to so much family attention and
resources being focused upon the siblings with special
needs. Some express resentment that their families
cannot visit restaurants or recreational spots because the
special needs may create a barrier. Children worry they
may be responsible for their siblings when they become
adults, and they wonder how they will navigate this
unknown future. They also experience mixed emotions
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Becoming Rock Stars
By Kendra Carter, Children’s Long-Term Support Program Manager
Eleven years ago, Nadia and her twin brother, Malcolm,
came into this world nine weeks early. At age one, Nadia
wasn’t yet walking, so she was referred to St. Francis
Children’s Center (SFCC) while being evaluated for
Milwaukee County’s Birth to Three Program. After she
was determined to be eligible for services, she started
physical therapy and additional early intervention
services with her SFCC team to help shape her
development.

As Nadia turned three and began the transition out of

the Birth to Three Program, she was diagnosed with Nadia’s twin, Malcolm, is also on the autism spectrum.
autism spectrum disorder. She received services and However, his needs aren’t as significant as Nadia’s, so
support through her school and, with the right support he has always been able to do many things on his own.
and guidance, Nadia’s parents were able to get her After receiving speech and language services at SFCC
started on Milwaukee County’s Children’s Long-Term through the Milwaukee County Birth to Three program,
Support (CLTS) Waiver Program at SFCC. CLTS is a home Malcolm’s mother jokes that, “He won’t stop talking!” Like
and community-based service Waiver that provides his sister, Malcolm is interested in music and the arts and
Medicaid funding for children who have substantial tells others that he is going to be a rock star when he
limitations in their daily activities and need support to grows up.
remain in their home or community. Eventually, Nadia
began ABA therapy, which is explained by Autism Speaks Nadia and Malcolm’s mother has many great things to
as “the use of techniques and principles” such as positive say about the services they received from St. Francis
reinforcement, “to bring about meaningful and positive Children’s Center, but she is especially happy to see how
change in behavior.” much Nadia has improved over the years. Not only did
she learn to walk and talk, but now, like her brother,
Although she has always been a friendly girl, Nadia is able to do things more independently.
before therapy, Nadia wouldn’t make eye contact
with those around her and had very limited verbal Eleven years ago, the future was very unclear for these
communication. Today, her language has taken off! She two preemies. But today, their parents feel that the sky’s
speaks in complete sentences, initiates and maintains the limit for Nadia and Malcolm. Like all parents, they
conversations with others, responds to her name and are hopeful that their children will be able to achieve
can answer basic safety questions. Plus, her eye contact whatever they set their minds to…including receiving
has improved tremendously. She’s in school and doing a high school diplomas, living on their own, maintaining
phenomenal job! jobs, being a part of the community, and yes, perhaps
even becoming rock stars!

Sign-Up for our Email List!

We’d love to stay in touch with you via email! Sign-up Follow these simple steps to join our email list:
today to get updates on what’s happening at St. Francis 1. Visit our website at www.sfcckids.org.
Children’s Center and discover how your support helps
2. Locate the “Subscribe” box on the bottom of the
tons of children in our community. We’ll also soon start home page.
sending this newsletter through email and we don’t
want you to miss it! 3. Type in your name and preferred email, then hit
“Subscribe!”
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 Therapy at St. Francis Children’s Center

Help Me Talk
By Anne Scannell, Margaret Regan & Adele Eklund, Pediatric Speech Language Pathologists

As pediatric speech pathologists, we often hear parents • Modeling is teaching something by doing or saying
say that their child is not using words. Here are some it first. This is accomplished by describing your
ways to encourage your child’s speech and language actions and your child’s actions with simple words
development:
Other Hints and Ideas:
• Talk to your child as you care for him/her
throughout your day, as well as about what you are • Reduce your use of questions.
doing while you are with him/her. Label objects,
people and actions too. For example—“cut apple,” • Give your child the time to respond. Slow down and
“see the car,” “put shirt on,” etc. Keep your speech allow your child the time to come up with words on
simple (1-3 word phrases) and continue to talk his/her own.
as you play with your child, labeling toys and the
pretend actions of the toys you are playing with. • Reduce your speaking rate.

• Read colorful books with simple pictures to your • Emphasize sounds and use inflection in your voice
child every day. Don’t worry about reading the
specific words of the story. Instead, label the • Offer choices from two items to encourage back-
pictures and actions using simple phrases. For and-forth exchange.
example—“boy jump,” “red bird,” “night night baby.”
• Create the need for your child to communicate by
• Imitation and repetition work wonders for learning not anticipating all his/her needs.
language. Nursery rhymes and songs are familiar
and predictable. Your child will most likely join in • Have your child make an effort to communicate an
with some finger/hand movements and/or words. idea by pointing or using a basic sign (such as, “me,”
“eat” “more”), vocalizing or trying to imitate a word

But maybe the most important thing to remember is to

remember to praise your child’s efforts to communicate
with you. For example: “I like it when you use your
words,” or “Good for you. You used your words!”

Have fun with your child exploring and talking about

the world around you!

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Joshie’s Journey Through Birth to Three
By Amanda DiPalma, Birth to Three Service Coordinator
Joshua, affectionately referred to as “Joshie” by his friends ductus arteriosus) had not closed properly. PDA is a heart
and family, was referred to Milwaukee County’s Early defect caused by problems in the heart’s development.
Intervention/Birth to Three Program in July of 2015 for In January of 2017, Joshua had surgery to correct the
a concern with his gross motor skills (these develop PDA and has improved tremendously.
through the use of the large muscles in your body like
your arms and legs.) His parents noticed he wasn’t “His hair filled in, he has more energy, [is] vibrant, and
developing in the same way as his peers and wanted to [has come] alive,” his mother explained. His therapists
help him accomplish what his peers were accomplishing. report that he no longer has shortness of breath, he is
After Joshie was evaluated for the program, they found talking more, and walking. According to his therapist
he qualified and was referred to St. Francis Children’s Lisa, “he has taken off,” and is making progress every day.
Center to receive services.
“The staff always had my family’s
best interest at heart...”
Joshua will be graduating from the program this month,
the day before his 3rd birthday. When asked about
the Birth to Three Program, Thresa explained, “I want
everyone to know about the dedication and support that
they can expect to receive through the services from St.
Francis Children’s Center’s Birth to Three Program. The
staff always had my family’s best interest at heart and we
are very grateful.”

Joshie is now developmentally age appropriate, able

to be independent, and has hit his milestones. Thresa is
When Joshie started working with his team at SFCC, so proud of Joshua, as is his entire St. Francis Children’s
he was just under a year old and was not yet crawling, Center team.
pulling to stand, or getting into the 4-point position
(hands and knees on the floor). Using Joshie’s family’s
existing routine and concerns for his development, the
team developed goals for him to work towards - being
able to roll, crawl, and get into 4-point during free time.

After his first six months in the program, Joshie had

accomplished all of those goals. He was able to roll
from tummy to his back unassisted, crawl, pull to stand,
and sit independently. The next goals that the team
decided to work towards were for Joshie to walk and
begin to use his words. While his team and family were
thrilled with his progress, they soon had new concerns.
His physical therapist, Lisa Davis, and his mom, Thresa, Birth to Three information reported in this article was supported
began noticing that Joshie had heavy breathing, a delay by the Milwaukee County Disability Services Special Education
in hair growth, was frequently sweaty, and had an overall Birth to 3 Program under a RFP contract. This program is a
difficult time completing tasks without breaks due to Special Education Program funded with IDEA Federal Funding.
The content is solely the responsibility of the author and does not
shortness of breath. When Thresa took him in for his two necessarily represent the official views of the Milwaukee County
year check-up, his doctor discovered that his PDA (Patent Disability Services Division.
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SFCC Volunteers of the Year
By Kara Petersen, Development & Volunteer Coordinator

Reliable, flexible, committed, passionate, selfless and as the “Volunteer of the Past Two Decades.” Joan
kind – these are just a few of the qualities that make a has dedicated herself to helping our organization
volunteer great. At St. Francis Children’s Center, we are since 1998. Next year she will celebrate 20 years of
lucky to have lots of people helping us every week with volunteering at St. Francis Children’s Center. In that time,
these qualities. Joan has spent over 900 hours helping us, primarily
assisting with administrative tasks and data entry, but
This year we recognized some of these individuals at always willing to lend a hand with whatever we need
our Annual Meeting, honoring them with the Youth help with. Nothing is too big or too small for her to
Volunteer of the Year Award, Volunteer of the Year Award tackle.
and Distinguished Leadership Award.
We are in awe of her commitment and dedication, and
Eunah and Hannah Cha – were honored to recognize Joan Bruce as the 2016
Youth Volunteers of the Year Volunteer of the Year.
Eunah and Hannah are sisters who have made
volunteering a family affair. Both began volunteering David Dorgan – Distinguished Leadership
as classroom assistants after they each turned 15. Nearly 18 years ago, Dave Dorgan began his relationship
Throughout the past two years, they have collectively with St. Francis Children’s Center when his daughter
contributed over 180 hours of service to our began attending our Early Childhood Education
organization. In addition to assisting in the classroom, Program as a newborn. His position as one of our
they’ve helped in other ways, like coming to the parents soon evolved into one of our board members in
Center with their high school’s Origami Club to teach 2008.
kindergarteners simple origami.
Since then, Dave has remained on our Board of
Eunah and Hannah exemplify some of the best qualities Directors, offering guidance to our organization. He
of a volunteer. They are kind, dependable, hardworking, has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to
and most importantly, engaged with our students. These St. Francis Children’s Center through his leadership,
are just some of the reasons we selected Eunah and advocacy, mentoring and philanthropy. It was our great
Hannah Cha as our 2016 Youth Volunteers of the Year. pleasure to honor Dave with the 2016 Distinguished
Leadership Award in thanks for his many years of
Joan Bruce - Volunteer of the Year thoughtful leadership and direction.
To call Joan the “Volunteer of the Year” is an
understatement. Instead, she should be recognized

Hannah Cha and Eunah Cha, 2016 Youth Joan Bruce, 2016 Volunteer of David Dorgan, 2016
Volunteers of the Year Recipients the Year Award Recipient Distinguished Leadership Award
Recipient
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Awards Banquet Raises Over $180,000
By Tara Clark, Director of Development & Marketing
Thank you to everyone who joined St. Francis Children’s to extend a warm thank you to Steve & Shelagh Roell
Center on Wednesday, October 11 for our 2017 Leading and an Anonymous Donor for generously sponsoring
Lights Awards Banquet! This annual event broke a the event.
fundraising record this year, as we raised over $180,000
to support programs for children with developmental And finally, we’d like to mention Nancy Gapinski and her
delays and special needs in our community. family, who shared their story via a special video shown
during the Awards Banquet. Her son, Ben, was diagnosed
Approximately 300 guests filled the Grand Ballroom with an autism spectrum disorder when he was two
at The Pfister Hotel as the evening kicked-off with a years old and received Birth to Three and Children’s Long-
special performance of The Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” Term Support services at St. Francis Children’s Center.
by some of our Early Childhood Education students
accompanied by Dr. Rick Clark, Child Psychologist, on Thanks again to all our sponsors, Associate Chairs,
piano. After guests hummed along on their kazoos and parents, donors, board members, staff and community
dinner was served, we began the program part of the partners for your support!
evening to honor three exceptional community leaders:

Danae Davis of Milwaukee Succeeds received the

Children’s Service Award.

Grady Crosby of Johnson Controls was the recipient of

our Community Service Award.

And, Dennis Klein of C.D. Smith Construction was

awarded the Humanitarian Award.

A special thanks to our two amazing co-chairs this year, Photo taken by Kim Evans of Focused Moments Photography
Julia Taylor of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and From left: Julia Taylor, Mara Dučkens, Dennis Klein, Danae
Chris Layden of the ManpowerGroup, for making our Davis, Grady Crosby and Chris Layden
2017 Awards Banquet such a huge success. Also, we’d like

Save the Date: Wine, Beer and Chocolate Tasting!

Did you know that 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of our annual Wine, Beer
and Chocolate Tasting? To celebrate, we are making the event bigger and
better than ever. Save the date! The annual fundraiser will take place on
Saturday, April 21 from 7-10 pm at the Holiday Inn Milwaukee Riverfront
(4700 N. Port Washington Rd.)

We may be moving the event down the street, but we’ll still be offering all the
same great event features like tons of great wines, craft beers and chocolates. The event will also feature a huge silent
auction, raffle prizes, a wine pull, entertainment and more.

Watch our website - sfcckids.org - as we start to release more event details. Tickets will go on sale soon! If you’re
interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Tara Clark at [email protected] or 414-351-8851 ext. 223.
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414-351-0450

St. Francis Children’s Center Participates in Glendale’s

Root Beer Bash Sponsored by Sprecher
On Saturday, August 26, the City of Glendale held its first ever Sprecher Root Beer Bash at Richard E. Maslowski
Community Park and St. Francis Children’s Center was there for all the fun. The event started with the Glendale
Police Department 5k Run or 2-Mile Walk. Other event highlights included root beer-inspired food, live music, tons
of root beer and the Root Beer Olympics. Money raised from the Olympics, along with the proceeds from North
Shore Events Center’s food tent, will support the services St. Francis Children’s Center provides to children with
special needs. We hope to see you all at next year’s Bash, which is sure to be bigger and better than ever.

The Root Beer Olympics featured friendly competitions for adults, kids and teams. Challenges included root beer
chugging, keg tossing, an obstacle course and more.
www.sfcckids.org | www.facebook.com/sfcckids