ECI Monthly news & updates
| | Early Communicator Calendar | | | Expanding Language Calendar | | Driven to Care: Celebrating the Men Who Move Us Forward | | |
Easterseals Rehabilitation Center, in partnership with the Bob Ross Senior Center, proudly hosted Driven to Care, a meaningful event honoring the male role models who make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.
This special gathering brought together generations—from young children in our Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program to seniors in our community—for a day centered on connection. Families and participants had the opportunity to relive classic moments, engage in conversation, and build relationships that bridged age, background, and ability.
The event highlighted the importance of strong, supportive role models and celebrated the many ways men contribute to nurturing, guiding, and uplifting those around them. Through laughter, stories, and time spent together, Driven to Care created a space where community bonds were strengthened and new memories were made.
We are grateful to our partners, participants, and volunteers who helped bring this event to life. Together, we continue to build a more connected, inclusive community—one relationship at a time.
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Tried & True Tips from a Therapist
by Erika Almazan, MA, CCC-SLP
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Let's Play Ice Cream Shop!
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What you will need:
Ice Cream Scoops- You can use play dough, crumpled construction paper, or pom poms for the scoops of ice cream.
Cones- Roll pieces of construction paper into a cone shape and tape or staple together.
Toppings- Yarn (for chocolate sauce), sequins, beads, buttons, glitter (if you dare), and crumpled up paper are just some ideas for toppings
Bowls
Spoons
Scoop
During play focus on the following strategies to enhance your child’s development as they play.
Model vocabulary- Colors, flavors, cone, ice cream.
Model action words- Mix, stir, taste, smell, scoop, eat.
Give simple directions- Add a scoop, stir it up, give mom a bite.
Make choices- Bowl or cone? 1 or 2 scoops? Sprinkles or syrup?
Take turns- Practice taking turns scooping, serving and eating.
Most of all have FUN!
| | This play dough recipe is taste safe making it a great option for 'ice cream' in your pretend shop. No worries if it's accidentally licked or tasted during play. | | If all that Ice Cream Shop play works up an appetite, try your hand at making your OWN yummy ice cream with this easy recipe using food storage bags. | | In the crafty mood? Whip up a batch of this Puffy Paint and let the little artists make their own ice cream creations. | | |
Spotlight Story - The Zimmerman Family
by Amanda Zimmerman
We know that sometimes when your children struggle, we struggle as parents. It can feel incredibly overwhelming, but for our family, the Easterseals Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program wasn't just a resource—it was our lifeline and the ultimate turning point for our children. Looking back, opening our doors to them was the absolute best thing that could have ever happened to us. Both of our kids needed their services for entirely different reasons, and the way this program stepped in with so much heart completely changed the trajectory for our family. It meant the world to us to not be alone in it.
Our daughter started with ECI after dealing with chronic ear infections that ended up delaying her speech. It’s a scary feeling when your child isn't meeting those talking milestones, but the weekly home visits changed everything. Her therapists didn’t just run through a checklist they genuinely bonded with her, took the time to understand exactly how she learned, and got her development right back on track.
Fast forward a year later, our son was born prematurely, we already knew the value of early intervention. Even though he was big for his age, his prematurity meant he lagged behind on neck strength and overall mobility. Because of ECI, we were able to get him into physical therapy at just eight weeks old. Watching him grow, build strength, and actually look forward to his PT sessions every single week has been amazing. He’s hitting his milestones now with a lot of love and support.
Everyone says those first three years of a child’s life are the most critical for brain and physical development, but experiencing it firsthand makes you realize how true that is. As a parent, you want to fix everything for your kids, but you don't always have the tools. Easterseals didn't just walk in and do therapy for our kids they supported us, taught us skills, gave us confidence, and became a team we could lean on. We are incredibly grateful for the impact they’ve had on our family. I have referred several of my own family members and close friends to ECI over the years. We are thankful for the program.
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Your Story Matters
We’d love to hear your journey. Whether it’s a small milestone or a life-changing moment, your story can inspire others and help us show the power of possibility.
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Introducing The Heart of ECI
At Easterseals ECI, our work is driven by people with big hearts—those who go above and beyond to support children, families, and one another every single day. To celebrate that spirit, we’re introducing a new monthly feature called “The Heart of ECI.” Each month, we’ll spotlight one of our incredible team members who embodies the compassion, dedication, and teamwork that make our mission come alive. These individuals are nominated by their peers—the people who see their kindness, commitment, and impact in action every day.
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Evelyn Zertuche, EIS/SC
Early Intervention Specialist
Serving Easterseals since 2022
This month, we are proud to recognize Evelyn Zertuche, Early Intervention Specialist, as our Heart of ECI.
Evelyn brings a light to our program that is impossible to miss. She is always bright, happy, and smiling—creating an environment where children, families, and colleagues feel welcomed and at ease. Her kind and caring nature shines through in everything she does, and she generously shares those gifts with everyone around her.
As a strong and dependable team member, Evelyn consistently puts the needs of children and families first. She approaches her work with intention and heart, ensuring that every decision supports meaningful outcomes for those we serve. She is also always seeking out community resources and opportunities that help families feel included, connected, and supported beyond their time in services.
Evelyn’s diligence and commitment to accuracy, along with her strong time management skills, make her a reliable and trusted professional. Beyond her technical skills, it is her calm, steady presence that truly sets her apart. Her warm smile and gentle demeanor bring comfort not only to the families she supports, but also to her teammates.
Evelyn embodies the spirit of ECI through her compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to doing what is best for children and families. We are so grateful to have her on our team.
Congratulations, Evelyn, and thank you for being the heart of ECI!
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Heart & Voice: Advocating for Tomorrow, is a monthly segment in our newsletter dedicated to highlighting advocacy opportunities for young children with special healthcare needs. This feature will educate and inform parents about current issues, policies, and initiatives that directly impact their children’s care and well-being. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to stay engaged, Heart & Voice will empower you with the knowledge and tools to make your voice heard and help shape a better future for your child.
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Sesame Street in Communities
Sesame Workshop is a global nonprofit organization with a mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.
We’re educators. Creators. Researchers. Moms. Dads. Caregivers. Friends. We’re a community of 300+ people (plus some amazing partners!) who are passionate about one thing: helping children.
We focus on the earliest years, when we know we can have the biggest impact. And we reach children in 190 countries, providing access to life-changing early education, critical health lessons, helpful tools for tough situations, and joy — lots of joy.
They also have released their first AAC Communication Board featuring all your favorite characters. See it here.
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July Awareness Observations | | | | | |
Month-Long
- Disability Pride Month (NY)
- Fragile X (FXS)
- National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month (NCCAPM)
- Sarcoma - (U.S.)
Days
- July 1 - Doctor's Day
- July 9 - World Misophonia Awareness Day
- July 12 - Heterochromia
- July 13 - Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
- July 15 - World Youth Skills Day
- July 17 - World Day for International Justice
- July 18 - Nelson Mandela International Day
- July 22 - Fragile X (FXS)
- July 23 - World Sjogren's Day
- July 24 - National Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Day
- July 26 - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Awareness Day
- July 30 - Gastroschisis
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2203 Babcock Road
San Antonio, TX 78229
phone: 210.614.3911
fax: 210.625.3162
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Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center
is a contracted provider of
Texas Early Childhood Intervention Services and partially funded by
Texas Health and Human Services.
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