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Cross-fertilization: interchange or interaction (as between different ideas, cultures or categories) especially of a broadening or productive nature.
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary
When CRG (Children's Resource Group) was established in 1993, we defined
our mission
as "bridging the medical, educational and psychological needs of children." Over time, we have expanded our scope to also work with adolescents, young adults and adults. During the past quarter century, the awareness and treatment of mental health needs of individuals has expanded greatly. The educational landscape has changed, too. And the availability and efficacy of medical treatment in all aspects of our lives have expanded. Despite all these changes, CRG still strives to communicate the needs of our clients across settings and to learn from and contribute to the knowledge base in those settings.
This issue is dedicated to the concept of cross-fertilization: sharing ideas, understanding the language used in other "cultures" in which our clients interact, and appreciating the offerings and constraints of those systems. While the contributors to this edition of our newsletter spend a great deal of time within our four walls at CRG, they also are actively involved with individuals, communities and systems outside the physical location of 9106 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis.
First, Dr. Julie Steck, psychologist, describes her visits to schools around the state to help education professionals and parents implement supports for students with disabilities. Next, CRG's Speech-Language Therapist and AT Specialist, Beth Waite-
Lafever
, describes ways she promotes assistive technology training here Indiana and outside the U.S.
Dr. Chelsey Brophy
, psychologist, then describes her consultations with a local private school to implement a system-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports plan.
Dr. David Parker
, Postsecondary Disability Specialist and ADD/Life Coach, contributes the next article about his work as a Disability Consultant to Educational Test Services (ETS), the agency that coordinates "high stakes" tests such as the Praxis and GRE. We conclude this issue with two interviews. First, Dr. Steck interviews
Tammy Knight
, one of our tremendously skilled nurses. Tammy's work at CRG has enriched her skills as a school nurse and vice-versa. Finally, we are very pleased to welcome
Megan Skelding
, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Provider. Dr. Parker conducted a brief interview with Megan to introduce her to our families and colleagues.
We all gain from interacting with others outside of our comfort zone, beyond our physical and artificial walls. We hope you'll enjoy reading about some of the ways our providers experience this form of growth beyond our four walls.
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From CRG to Schools and Back Again
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Most days, I start and end my work within the four walls of my office at 9106 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis. I am comfortable there and love working with children and adolescents and their families. I listen to parents' concerns about their children's behavioral or learning difficulties. We explore the causes and solutions of those problems. Often these concerns focus on learning and behavioral issues within the school setting. While I can talk on the phone or send an email to a teacher or administrator, there is no substitute for actually getting out of the office and going to the student's school.
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Assistive Technology: Training the Trainers
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Every year at this time I long to buy a new box of crayons! Not just the 24 pack, but the big box with the built-in sharpener. I think it is because I loved going to school. Once the school supplies hit the stores, it seems that I should be stocking up on glue sticks, markers, tissues and dry erase marker. Okay, I admit... I actually DO stock up on those things this time of year. It's because of my love for learning that I enjoy providing continuing education opportunities for parents and professionals.
Not only did I love school but, as a Hamilton County 4-H participant, I competed in public speaking events at the county and state level. So, I've been talking in front of groups since I was 12 years old. By combining my life-long love of learning, public speaking skills, and enthusiasm for communication, I am able to develop and present training opportunities at conferences around Indiana, throughout the country, and internationally. I've also provided day-long training for local school systems and webinars.
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here to read the rest of this story.
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School Consultation
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My training as a school psychologist may "fly under the radar" when working at CRG, as most of the work I do is clinically based. While I enjoy working individually with children and families in my office, another part of me loves to work with schools beyond these four walls in a broader, systems-level role through consultation. These valuable partnerships allow me to keep a pulse on what impacts the places where children spend the majority of their time and to learn from students and staff about their day-to-day needs and opportunities. Consulting with schools allows me to share some of my expertise about children and their developmental, mental health and learning needs. At the same time, these opportunities help me become a better-informed psychologist in my work with children, families, and educators at CRG.
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here to read the rest of this story.
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Accommodations: A Complicated World
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Over the past 20 years, the educational world has placed a growing emphasis on test scores. These include classroom unit tests, statewide assessments such as ISTEP, and national high stakes tests such as the SAT or ACT. Given this trend, it is not surprising that an increasing number of
students with disabilities
has requested accommodations on exams.
Examples
include extended test time, testing in a quiet room, using a computer to type essay answers, having someone ("reader") read the test questions aloud, and/or having someone ("scribe") type the student's spoken answer verbatim.
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An Interview with Tammy Knight, RN, BSN
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CRG is proud of its nursing staff, which works hard to help our medical providers deliver high-quality care to our patients. One of those nurses, Tammy Knight, recently talked with CRG psychologist Dr. Julie Steck about how her professional experiences at and outside of CRG have informed each other over the years.
JS: Tammy, now many years have you been a nurse?
TK: A long time; 36 years. I started nursing in 1980.
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Meet the Provider:
Megan Skelding, APRN, PMHNP
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CRG is delighted to welcome Megan Skelding to our team! Megan is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner caring for clients throughout their lifespan with an emphasis on building a therapeutic relationship. Treatment follows an agreed-upon set of goals obtained through evaluation and diagnosing, with the use of medication as an avenue to assist with an individualized plan of care. Megan's areas of experience include anxiety, depression, mood and psychotic disorders. She recently spoke to David Parker about herself, her background, and her plans at CRG.
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