Bancroft’s Family Buzz E-Newsletter – Week of August 10, 2009

Bancroft Board Chairman, Joe Atkinson (pictured above at right) poses with Toni Pergolin, Bancroft President, Joe Bendas, Internal Care Advocate of Wawa and guest, Sam Pignatelli (from right to left) at the A.R.T. exhibit and reception held in appreciation of Wawa recently for their support of Bancroft's programs and services.

A.R.T. program featured in Philadelphia Inquirer

Staff member Lori Gibbs and several students who participate in the A.R.T. program at The Bancroft School at Voorhees Pediatric Facility were featured in Friday's Philadelphia Inquirer. The story details this unique program, which provides students the opportunity to create original works of art with help from a specially trained neutral "tracker" (in this case, Gibbs).

Click here to learn more.

Executive director to oversee educational programs

We are pleased to welcome Jeff Reuter, who started at Bancroft last week as executive director of educational programs. This new position is similar to a superintendent of schools, with oversight responsibilities for each of our educational programs (Haddonfield Elementary and Secondary Programs, Early Education for Children on the Autism Spectrum, The Bancroft School at Voorhees Pediatric Facility, and the Center for Autism Research and Educational Services, a.k.a. CARES).

Jeff has a wealth of experience in special education, including both working directly with students and in administrative positions. He comes to us from the Burlington County Special Services School District, where he has served as director of educational services for over ten years. Prior to that, he was the Burlington County supervisor of child study. He has an M.S. in education from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in philosophy from St. Mary's Seminary and University.

Another interesting note is that Jeff's brother, Jim Reuter, was responsible for our adult programs back in the 1980s. You may also remember Jim's wife, Katie Reuter, who formerly worked at Bancroft. We are very pleased to have the Reuter family involved again.

"The addition of Jeff's position and the senior clinical director position (held by Dennis Morgan) will provide a major increase in our clinical expertise," says Caroline Eggerding, MD, vice president of clinical services and chief medical officer. "We expect our students to benefit significantly from these new resources."

To reach Jeff Reuter, call (856) 429-5637, ext. 360 or e-mail jreuter@bnh.org.

Family life and vacation tips

An article by Bancroft executive Dr. Caroline Eggerding was featured in the July issue of Special Kids magazine. "Helping Children with Autism Participate in Family Life and Vacations" offers practical suggestions for including children with autism in everyday activities.

Click here to read the article.

Governor to sign autism insurance law

On Thursday, N.J. Governor Jon Corzine will sign legislation that will help New Jersey children on the autism spectrum receive the medically necessary services they need. The law will require insurers to cover up to $36,000 annually for a child with autism who is 21 years of age or younger. Coverage includes applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, which is recognized as an effective, evidence-based treatment for children with autism. The bill- signing will be held at PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., at 11 a.m. on August 13. For information on attending the signing, e-mail Autism New Jersey at llong@autismnj.org.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers returns for a "Day of Caring"

A very special thanks to Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC) for sending 120 interns (pictured above with Toni Pergolin) to our Jacob Schaefer Center last week for a "Day of Caring."

On Monday morning, two big busloads of PWC volunteers arrived and the painting began! About 45 hallways, offices, training rooms, restrooms and kitchens received a fresh coat of paint and the Schaefer Center now looks bright and beautiful!

The interns even presented us with a new bench for the garden that is being developed at the Cherry Hill, N.J., facility, which houses day programs for adults with neurological challenges.

Thanks to the encouragement of our board chairman, Joe Atkinson -- a principal at PWC -- the company has sent its interns to Bancroft twice to date. And, we are hopeful they will return again next year. Imagine the work that can be done with 120 volunteers!

If your company or community group would like to arrange a Day of Caring, contact Deb Conner at (856) 429-5637, ext. 273 or e-mail her at dconner@bnh.org.

Brain-injury conference planned

The Moss Traumatic Brain Injury Model System will conduct a daylong conference for people with brain injuries and their families in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 7. The event is titled "Connections for Life After Brain Injury."

The keynote speaker will be Chris Nowinski, a former All-Ivy Harvard football player and World Wrestling star whose career was ended in 2003 by a concussion. Nowinski is the author of "Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis."

Also at the conference: how-to workshops on meditation and Tai Chi, sports and recreation resources, and discussions about medical matters, caregiver issues, relationships, employment and more.

We are pleased to note that Dr. Cynthia Boyer, senior clinical director for Bancroft's Brain Injury Services, is a member of the conference planning committee, and Bancroft staff members will present several of the workshops. For more information, go to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=pziia5cab.0.0.7n9pimcab.0&ts=S0413&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mossrehabconference.com%2F&id=preview.

Health care reform and you

A local advocacy group is urging everyone to contact their legislators and express their concerns and wishes about health care reform.

ABCD - the Association for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities - notes that Congress will soon go on its August recess, and legislators will be available in their home districts to talk to constituents.

Attached below is ABCD's summary of health care reform issues related to people with developmental disabilities. For instance, the current bills contain provisions that would expand health insurance coverage. However, ABCD believes more attention is needed on long-term care issues, in particular.

Click here to read the brief.

Free workshops scheduled for 2009-2010 season

Bancroft will resume its series of free workshops on developmental disabilities related topics next month, thanks to the generosity of TD Charitable Foundation.

The seminars are held on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Farrington Hall first-floor conference room on the Haddonfield Campus.

To register for a particular workshop, call Pat Reid at (856) 429-5637, ext. 453 or e-mail her at preid@bnh.org.

Click here to view the flyer for more information.