February 2020
TLC E-Newsletter
A Message from the Executive Director 
Welcome to February! So far this winter has been an amazing whirlwind of events and excitement! The Katherine Thomas School gave a phenomenal concert and art show, showcasing the abundant musical and artistic talents of our students; The Family Hearing Center hosted a talk by Cathy Richards, author of BOOM: 6 Steps to a Long Healthier Life. Ms. Richards shared healthy aging tips. TLC's Outpatient professionals continue to provide meaningful information though educational workshops to schools, most recently at the Harbor School and Washington Episcopal School. 

At TLC, we are always looking for ways to give back to the community that we serve and beyond. We are an active community of doers. From the students at The Katherine Thomas School, to the clinicians in our Outpatient Office, one thing is true: we engage our community through knowledge to aspire to achieve and grow. Mark your calendars: November 12, 2020 we will hold TLC's 70th and KTS' 25th Gala Event. More details will come soon about this exciting celebration!

We look forward to transforming more dreams into possibilities this winter, as a strong and active community, together.

Patricia A. Ritter, PhD
Executive Director, The Treatment and Learning Centers 
The Katherine Thomas School
KTS Welcomes Special Visitors

The Katherine Thomas School was delighted to have special guests Mr. Mark Shultz, Assistant Secretary for Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Laurie VanderPloeg, Director of Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and Jack Mabrey, School Choice and Youth Engagement Coordinator, OSERS, visit the school. Our special guests were introduced to the mission and vision of KTS by senior faculty and staff, took a tour of the school and observed multi-sensory classes in action, heard students speak from the heart about the importance and value of KTS, and parents spoke about how essential it is to have a school where there children could thrive socially, emotionally, and academically, and expand their educational and professional opportunities post-secondary school. The KTS community was proud to showcase our grit, tenacity, and kindness, and appreciated our visitors listening and actively engaging with us. 
KTS Band Rocks Community


Did you know that The Katherine Thomas School has a band? At the beginning of this school year, six students voluntarily joined this extracurricular band, led by music teacher Margot Bevington. Students have been practicing during lunch and 8th period, on average 2-3 times a week, and after school if needed before a performance. Mrs. Bevington refers to them as the “lunch band,” although they have been brainstorming different names for themselves. Most recently, the "lunch band" played at Children's Hospital, which was the band’s 3rd gig this year, and they are looking for more opportunities to play! 
 
The other five students attending the Children's Event were Mrs. Bevington's Reality 101 students. These students came along to have a volunteer work experience as part of their final projects for the class. They helped with set up and clean up and by assisting families with movement scarves, bubbles, and a snowflake craft.
 
All the students did a great job and were invited back by the hospital program coordinator! The band is an amazing group, and if you know of any additional performance opportunities, please contact us at (301) 738-9691!
The High School Artist-in-Residence

The High School "intersession" week with our Artist-in-Residence was the week of January 28th. Our students worked with Katherine Dilworth, a visual artist. We are able to have our Artist-in-Residence due to a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council in conjunction with a grant from the KTS Parents Association. We partner with Young Audiences Arts for Learning Maryland, and their website states,"Katherine Dilworth brings the centuries-old art form of felting to your school. Comprised of sculpting loose wool into solid shapes and murals, felting is an ideal medium for broadening students’ perception of visual art. For more than 20 years, Katherine Dilworth has integrated fabrics and fibers into her artwork. Her work is in galleries throughout the U.S. and was included in two books."
The Family Hearing Center
The Family Hearing Center hosted an event: Top Ten Healthy Aging Tips for 2020: A Seminar on Healthy Aging. Award-winning wellness strategist and best-selling author, Cathy Richards, shared healthy aging tips from her breakthrough book, BOOM: 6 Steps to a Longer, Healthier Life.

Susan Yaffe-Oziel, M.M.S., CCC-A, Director of The Family Hearing Center, continues to facilitate monthly hearing loss support groups at Ingleside at King Farm and Asbury Methodist Village. Susan also gave a talk about hearing health and cognition at Rockville Internal Medicine Group and the Rotarian's of Montgomery Village.
Outpatient Services
Testing, Tutoring, and Counseling
  • Melissa Smith was a panelist for the Glenelg Country School screening of Angst Tuesday January 14
  • Sarah Towne presented a workshop on Transitions and Executive Functioning at the Harbor School, Thursday January 9th
  • Robyn Davy held a parent group Circle of Security at TLC. She is also finishing up a social skills group at the Harbor School
  • We have multiple Interaction Groups starting
  • Melissa Smith and Sarah Towne attended a Practicum Fair at the Chicago School for Professional Psychology on Friday November 22

Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Therapy
The Winter session of our Interaction Groups began in early January. These groups meet on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. TLC’s Interaction Group is for young children ages 2 ½ – 5 and is based on a developmental model using therapeutic principles, focused on developing and improving communication, social interaction and sensory motor skills. Our Interaction Group team may include an occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, psychologist or licensed counselor who use your child’s interests to encourage engagement and participation in group and individual activities. Parent education and coaching are provided to support parent-child interactions.
 
Our collaboration with the Harbor School continues to be very active. So far this school year, we have led several staff development workshops, presented at two Parent Association meetings (topics were "Recognizing & Easing Your Child’s Anxiety" and "Promoting Successful Transitions & Executive Functioning Skills in Young Children") and provided several classroom consultations for their teachers.  We are also happy to be providing speech-language and occupational therapy sessions onsite at Harbor as well as a social skills group.
The Outcomes Service
The Outcomes Service: Supporting Community Engagement

The Outcomes service emphasizes supporting adults with developmental disabilities achieve independence in their personal, professional and social lives. Outcomes staff members encourage consumers to reach for their dreams and accomplish their goals. Describing themselves as “friendly professionals”, Outcomes Program staff are savvy at accessing new career opportunities for the individuals we serve and helping them navigate the most challenging situations in their lives.

Outcomes Program staff members utilize imaginative research methods that support individuals needs and interests including things like traveling to many natural and historically significant landmarks with minimal support. Those we support are reaching high levels of self-actualization through the efforts of our team. There is a dedication, tenacity and flexibility that is integral to the work ethic of all Outcomes staff members that make them hugely impactful in the personal and professional lives of those they serve.

An example of the work that is being conducted at Outcomes is the research and development of volunteer sites. These volunteer sites are spread throughout Montgomery County and require extensive groundwork, networking and development to ensure high quality standards. Many of the individuals we serve may not be ready for paid competitive employment and these volunteer opportunities will serve as the basis for developing the necessary skills for success in the competitive marketplace. The variety of volunteer opportunities provide chances for personal development in basic office skills, interpersonal communication and socialization, animal care and multi-step skill development for application in a variety of settings. The individuals served look forward to the volunteer positions identified and are integral in discussing and developing new and exciting opportunities geared to their area of interest. Outcomes has become a groundbreaking developer of pre-employment services – helping individuals learn to interview, construct resumes and prepare for community employment options. TLC Outcomes staff are dedicated to improving the lives of the individuals they serve and are very successful in meeting the ever-changing needs of program participants.
Enroll in "Life After High School"

Don't forget to enroll in What's Next? Life After High School, a workforce development program for high school juniors and seniors to prepare for work or post-secondary education. Contact Contact Karen Morgret, Director of Vocational Services and Quality Assurance
240.813.6909 kmorgret@ttlc.org to enroll.
Development Digest
KTSPA Casino Night

The Katherine Thomas School Parent Association is hosting a fundraising event, Casino Night, on Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Lakewood Country Club. This event is a great way to help support the students at The Katherine Thomas School as well as TLC’s mission, to improve lives and expand possibilities for individuals with special needs. To purchase tickets and/or find out more information, go to https://www.ttlc.org/support-tlc/casinonight/

Join the Legacy Club

The Legacy Club for TLC includes individuals who have chosen to include TLC in their estate plans to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from our programs and services. Your planned gift can help provide free services to families who could not otherwise afford the care they need, staff training to ensure those we serve benefit from the latest approaches and high-quality facilities for our programs. Let us know if you have secure a gift within your estate for TLC. Click here to learn more - https://www.ttlc.org/support-tlc/charitable-estate-planning/

Planning Tip: How will the SECURE ACT affect me?

On December 20, 2019 the U.S. Senate signed the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” Act (SECURE Act) into law and effective as of January 1st.

The SECURE Act resulted in the following changes to retirement plans:

  • Starting age for Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) increased to 72
  • Owners of an IRA are no longer required to begin making RMDs at age 70½, but may now wait until age 72. This modification allows persons who turn 70½ in 2020 or later to continue growing assets tax-free in their IRAs for an additional one-and-a-half years. The rule change also applies to other qualified retirement plans, including 401(k)s.
  • Traditional IRA contributions allowed for working IRA owners
  • Owners of a traditional IRA who work beyond age 70½ may now continue making contributions to their account.
  • “Stretch” IRA distribution eliminated
  • A non-spouse who inherits an IRA from a deceased owner and is younger than the deceased owner by 10 or more years, may no longer “stretch out” the distributions over their life expectancy. All funds within the IRA must be withdrawn within 10 years of being inherited and are not tax exempt. 

Giant Community Bag Program

Have you heard the news? TLC has been selected as the beneficiary of the Giant Food Community Bag Program for the month of March! Each time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at the Giant Food at Traville/9719 Traville Gateway Dr, Rockville, MD 20850 (during the month of March) we will receive a $1 donation. your participation helps makes a difference in the lives of others!
Marketing Department
Save the date! The TLC 70th and KTS 25th Gala will be held on November 12, 2020 at Congressional Country Club. More details will come soon! Check out www.ttlc.org/support-tlc/ 2020tlcgala


If you haven’t liked us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, please do, and encourage your friends to as well! Help up help others improve lives and expand possibilities.

TLC Programs
Sign up for one of our great programs at TLC! Check out some of the options:

ArtStream Improv for Comedy
  • Mondays, March 9, 2020 to May 18, 2020
  • 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
  • Grades 6 - 12
  • Cost is $280 for the 8 weeks
  • Register online: https://conta.cc/31lkl8l or contact Lisa Torvik, TLC Executive Assistant at 301.424.5200 ext. 306.  

The Circle of Security® Parenting™ Program
  • 2/11/2020 to 3/31/2020
  • Tuesdays (4:00 to 5:30 PM). 8-week parenting program
  • $50 (90 min. session), per person
  • Register online: https://conta.cc/2QxVue3 or contact Robyn Davy, 301-424-5200 ext.229

What's Next? Life After High School
  • Option 1: Mondays, February 3, 2020 – May 11, 2020, Option 2: Thursdays, February 6, 2020 – May 14, 2020
  • 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., 2092 Gaither Rd, Ste 100, Rockville, MD 20850
  • DORS-funded for Maryland students. $111 per session for DC and VA students.
  • Open to students from all area schools. Students will be screened for eligibility.
  • Contact Karen Morgret, Director of Vocational Services and Quality Assurance 240.813.6909 kmorgret@ttlc.org

KTS Parent Workshops: MONTGOMERY COLLEGE WORKFORCE AND DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS
  • Free and open to the public
  • Date: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020
  • Time: 7:00PM
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: The Katherine Thomas School 9975 Medical Center Drive Rockville, MD 20850
  • RSVP: Click Here

Therapeutic Interaction Group
  • Ages: 2.5-6
  • Day/Times: Groups will be Tuesday/Thursday morning 8:45-11:15 and Wednesday 1:00-3:30
  • Sign up: Call Lisa Torvik 301.424.5200 x306

Social & Emotional Skills Groups
  • Date: Wednesdays
  • Ages: Elementary to Early Middle School
  • Time: 5:30 to 6:30 pm
  • Location: Gaither Rd. office
  • Sign up: MESmith@ttlc.org, 301.424.5200, ext. 226

Individual Speech-Language Therapy
  • Call 301.424.5200, ext. 159

Individual Occupational Therapy
  • Call 301.424.5200, ext. 159

Counseling
  • Call 301.424.5200, ext. 226

Tutoring
  • Call 301.424.5200, ext. 306

Online Plus Tutoring
  • Call 301.424.5200, ext. 306