News You Can Use - December 2023

ECI Monthly news & updates

December|2023

Early Communicator Calendar

First Words Calendar

Expanding Language Calendar

Family Engagement

Our Halloween Trick-or-Treat and Sensory-Friendly Santa Experiences brought together many families and volunteers in October and November. We are so thankful for Scholars and Athletes Serving Others (SASO), Great Hearts, Students of Service (SOS), the UTHSCSA Schools of Nursing and Speech and Language Pathology, the Pre-PA Society from UTSA, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Aria Productions, Sonia Freeman, Morgan Graf, Jeff Huston, Ryan Chavez, the Easter Seals Board of Directors, the Easter Seals staff, and all the other individuals who graciously gave of their time and talents to make these events possible. We also could not put on these events without HEB who awarded the Family Engagement program a $5000 grant.

We are so thankful for all the families who joined us! Please stay tuned for the next Family Engagement event which will take place in the spring.

Spotlight Story - Evelyn Cruz

By Sierra Cruz

I knew about Easter Seals 26 years ago when my brother needed it for speech and occupational therapy. Never did I think I would need it for my own daughter, Evelyn. We didn’t notice anything until my mother noticed she wasn’t saying the proper amount of words for her age.

After taking her to the doctor she was diagnosed with speech delay. Easter Seals made us feel so safe and secure. Explaining to us how we did nothing wrong for this to have happened and assuring us we were doing everything right as her parents to get her help.

Within a few weeks we noticed a big improvement in her speech. She grew such a strong bond with her therapists that they have become our second family. While laying in bed one day, my daughter came up to me and said, “I love you mommy.” We had been waiting to hear those words for over a year.

Easter seals gave my little girl her voice, and they gave my brother his voice as well 26 years ago. We will always be so grateful for them and cherish every moment we’ve had. Tears fill up my eyes every time I think about how you all have helped my child. We love all of you so much and you will always be a second family to us.

We Are Looking For Spotlight Stories for Upcoming Newsletters

We'd love to share your child's

ECI journey!

If you'd like to be featured in the

"ECI Spotlight Story"

segment, click below.

I'm a SuperStar!

Valero Benefit for Children

This holiday season, we’re grateful to be recognized through the @ValeroBenefit for Children at the 100th annual #NYSETreeLighting. As a recipient of $10,000 for our programs, we are proud to be amongst the 100s of charities, helping 1000s of lives, all for 1 purpose, making a difference for children. #ValeroBFC2023

We are enrolling more children than ever in the ECI program. Grants like these support our mission and help us provide services to the growing number of children in need. Pictured is Cindy Gonzales, Pre-Enrollment Team Leader, with the 2023 BFC ornament.

Holiday Cheer

Many thanks to The Sonterra Tennis Club for their very generous donation of toys to our Holiday Cheer program. Thanks to you, the holiday season is a little brighter for many children.

Reminders

Easter Seals will be closed on the following days in observance of the upcoming winter and New Year's holidays.

Monday, December 25, 2023

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Monday, January 1, 2024

We wish you all a joyous and safe holiday season with your loved ones.

When to Cancel Therapy

As we enter fall and with several illnesses going around, please help us prevent widespread sickness throughout our program.

Telehealth is available if your child is well enough for therapy, but you're concerned about spreading germs. If your child is not well enough for any type of therapy, please cancel with your therapist. Remember, when we leave your home, we go to see other children and families.

Let's all work together to keep everyone as healthy as possible.

More Info

Continuous Medicaid Coverage Ending

Beginning April 1, 2023, all Medicaid members, including children receiving ECI services, will need to have their Medicaid eligibility redetermined. Medicaid members should look out for renewal notices mailed in an envelope that says “Action Required” in red or sent electronically to members signed up for electronic notices.

December Awareness Observations

Month-Long

Constipation
Universal Human Rights Month

Days

December 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 5 - International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
December 10 - Human Rights Day - (UN)
December 27 - International Day of Epidemic Preparedness (U.N.)

2203 Babcock Road

San Antonio, TX 78229

phone: 210.614.3911

fax: 210.625.3162

Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center

is a contracted provider of

Texas Early Childhood Intervention Services and partially funded by

Texas Health and Human Services.