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The Evolution of Therapy Kinections
I started out my career in Connecticut by providing occupational therapy in a school environment. However, I wanted to help certain children who weren’t able to receive enough school therapy, as well as others who needed therapy but could not receive it at school. I also wanted to be more connected with the parents.

In 2004…
my entrepreneurial spirit led me to rent space in this humble location in Southford. I never imagined at the time that I would ever have any employees or need to expand and relocate twice.

And now…
Therapy Kinections continues its mission to provide a warm and inviting therapeutic environment to allow as many children as possible to reach their fullest potential by using a holistic and family-centered approach. Our team exudes positive energy and exemplifies our values of commitment, compassion and respect in order to offer the finest care to our clients.

Raleigh, MS,OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Bio:
Raleigh graduated from Ithaca College in 2018. At Ithaca her graduate research project investigated outdoor play and how it can be utilized in occupational therapy practice. Nature-based OT continues to be a passion of hers today. Raleigh enjoys connecting with families and other professionals for a holistic approach to care. Raleigh practices neurodiversity affirming therapy with a strengths-based approach to promote autonomy and self-advocacy. She has worked in a 0-3 program in her home state of Rhode Island then in an outpatient clinic with 0-21 year olds in Massachusetts before moving to Connecticut. Raleigh also has experience working as a 1:1 caregiver. She enjoys working with a wide variety of abilities and especially likes to work on executive functioning, play, and visual motor skills.
Education:
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Bachelors degree in occupational science
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Masters degree in occupational therapy
Certifications:
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De-escalation training
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Visional techniques for eye movement disorders
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Nature based therapy
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CPR and First Aid
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National board certification in occupational therapy
Personal Quote:
“Go outside.” – Raleigh
Favorite color: Blue and dark green
Interests:
Raleigh likes to go to the beach and on long hikes with her dogs. She also enjoys sitting around a fire with friends and family or cozying up with a good book.
Beth, SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Bio:
Beth has been an SLP for over 8 years. She has worked in private practice and the hospital setting with clients from ages 6 months to 95 years. Beth enjoys all aspects of speech-language pathology, but especially motor speech, language, and feeding disorders. She loves watching children gain new skills, learn about their environments, and grow.
Education:
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Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Misericordia University
Certifications:
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Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
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Connecticut Speech-Language Pathology license
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Colorado Speech-Language Pathology license
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Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) Trained
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Beckman Oral Motor Protocol trained
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Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to feeding trained
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Basic Life Support Certification
Personal Quote:
“Life is tough, but if I can help children and their families figure out a small part of it, it’s been a great day.” – Beth
Favorite color: Purple
Interests:
In her free time, Beth loves to be outside, read, run, hike, swim, and cook.
Becky
Front Office Assistant
Bio:
Becky has worked in many different industries throughout her career, from the insurance industry to chiropractic care. One of her favorite passions of all is working with others. She is especially excited that she now gets the opportunity to work with and meet so many wonderful children and their families.
Education:
-
Associates Degree from Post University – Executive Secretarial
Personal Quote:
“Believe in yourself and do what you love. These ingredients equal success and happiness!” – Becky
Favorite color: Yellow
Interests:
Baking, making jam, and enjoying time with family and friends
Kayla, COTA/L
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Bio:
Kayla has worked as an Occupational Therapy Assistant since 2020 and has experience in pediatrics in School-based OT as well as the geriatric and adult population in Skilled Nursing Facilities. Kayla has worked with children with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome. Kayla enjoys making therapeutic activities that are fun and meaningful that build confidence in children as they work towards their goals.
Education:
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Associate of Science in Occupational therapy Assistant
Certifications:
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National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
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American Heart Association – Heartsaver for K-12 Schools CPR/AED
Personal Quote:
“My goal as an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Therapy Kinections is to help children learn and grow to be successful in their daily lives. I believe in a holistic, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative approach to therapy and to provide a safe and welcoming environment for children to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.” – Kayla
Favorite color:
Pink
Interests:
Kayla likes to swim, paint, know, bake and try new arts and crafts
Danielle, MS OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Bio:
Danielle has been an Occupational Therapist for 13 years working primarily in pediatrics in a private special needs school for 10 years and various outpatient pediatric clinics. She has a passion for enhancing a child’s skills through a play based client centered approach incorporating sensory strategies . Danielle has extensive experience working with adolescents primarily with Autism and other neurological disorders with a focus on Activities of Daily Living skills, prevocational, and functional bases activities. Danielle is dedicated to working collaboratively with the children and their families to enhance their skills to live a happy and meaningful life.
Education:
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Masters of Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University
Certification:
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National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy
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Connecticut State Licensure in Occupational Therapy
Personal Quote:
“As an Occupational Therapist at Therapy Kinections I strive to enhance the lives of not only the child, but also the families through a multidisciplinary approach incorporating fun and engaging play-based activities.”
– Danielle
Favorite color:
Blue
Interests:
Spending time with my family, going out and trying new restaurants and watching movies
Dave Friebel
Business Manager
Bio:
Dave has been working with his wife Lynn, owner of Therapy Kinections, since its inception. Dave’s work experience has been broad and multi-faceted. He graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from Rochester Institute of Technology. Shortly into his career, he was guided down the path of implementing factory automation computerized systems. Subsequently, Dave also entered into consulting as well as marketing and sales. All of these work experiences have proved vital to his support of Therapy Kinections.
Education:
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Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology
Certifications:
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Dale Carnegie Course
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CPR and First Aid
Personal Quote:
“I have seen many changes throughout the almost two decades since Therapy Kinections started, however, the best changes I like to see are the ones relating to the “kiddos” improvements and subsequent graduation from Therapy Kinections.” – Dave
Favorite Color:
Purple
Interests:
Dave enjoys reading, working on puzzles and always striving to learn new things.
Diane, PT
Physical Therapist
Bio:
Diane has been in the physical therapy field for over 25 years with a specialty in pediatrics. She has worked with all ages and in a variety of settings including outpatient, home care, school setting, and aquatics. She enjoys the creativity and flexibility that is a must when working with children. She works hard to help her clients increase their independence by enhancing their abilities to reach their full potential, all while having fun. She collaborates with families to direct them to resources and obtain the best possible outcome for their child.
Education:
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Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Connecticut
Personal Quote:
“It is gratifying to help people and make a positive difference in their lives”. – Diane
Favorite Color:
Blue
Interests:
Outside of work, Diane enjoys coaching the Ridgefield Special Olympics swim team on which her daughter, Faith, who has Prader-Willi Syndrome, is a member.
CaraMarie, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Bio:
CaraMarie has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years and has worked in various areas of occupational therapy.
CaraMarie enjoys helping children reach their fullest potential with their daily functional activities as well as working with their families.
Education:
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Masters in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University
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Certifications:
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Therapeutic Listening
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Cranial Sacral Therapy
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CPR and First Aid
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National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
Personal Quote:
“Live well, love much, laugh often”. – CaraMarie
Favorite Color:
Black
Interests:
CaraMarie enjoys being outdoors when not at Therapy Kinections.
Chelsea
Occupational Therapist
Chelsea has been in the occupational therapy field for 1 year (new grad)
I started out as a Pre-K teacher and eventually decided I wanted to make more of an impact by becoming a COTA and working more closely with children on a personal more individualized level.
Credentials:
COTA/L
Certifications:
HIPAA, Birth To Three
Education:
B.S. in health science A.A.S. occupational therapy assistant
Dedicated to my family, and hiking.
Your best accomplishment(s) – running a marathon
“As a pediatric COTA at TK, I am driven to work with children to help them grow and become more independent every day.“
— Chelsea
Andrea, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Bio:
Andrea has been in the field of Speech-Language Pathology for over 7 years, with special interest in the pediatric population. Over the past 7+ years, she has worked in the pediatric outpatient setting as part of a multi-disciplinary team of therapists. She assesses, evaluates, and treats a variety of speech, language, voice, social/pragmatic communication, and fluency disorders. In addition to individual treatment sessions, she has organized and implemented various social skills and early language development groups. She enjoys participating in outside organizations, such as the Special Olympics. Specific diagnoses that she has had the pleasure of working with include Down Syndrome, Hearing Loss, Cerebral Palsy, Genitopatellar syndrome, Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Autism Spectrum Disorder, KAT6A Syndrome, Microcephaly, Visually Impaired, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, Behavioral Disorders, Anophthalmia, Phonological/Articulation Disorder, Receptive/Expressive Language Disorder, Fluency Disorder, Voice Disorder, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Andrea’s passion has always been working with the pediatric population and incorporating caregivers into her sessions. She enjoys facilitating language growth through fun activities such as playing games and singing songs. She enjoys working closely with her occupational and physical therapy co-workers to provide the best intervention for her patients.
Education:
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Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology
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Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
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Certifications:
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Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
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Connecticut State License in Speech-Language Pathology
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CPR and First Aid
Personal Quote:
“Working with my amazing patients and their families at Therapy Kinections is what drives me to be the best therapist I can be”. – Andrea
Favorite Color:
Pink and Purple
Interests:
Andrea loves to spend time with family and friends, continue to grow her pollinator garden, and embroidery.
Kawana, SLP-A
Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant
Bio:
Kawana has worked in this field for 16 years with specialties in ABA, Autism, speech therapy, special needs, school settings, and private practice. Her best accomplishments are helping her students/clients achieve their goals.
Education:
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B.A. in Communication Disorders from Southern Connecticut State University
Certifications:
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CT and NC SLPA certified
Personal Quote:
“Always cultivate good thoughts and remain positive.” – Kawana
Favorite Color:
Pink
Interests:
Traveling, trying new recipes/restaurants, listening to music, designer thrifting, ziplining and gardening
Kimberly
Accounts Receivable Coordinator
Bio:
As an Accounts Receivable Coordinator at TK, Kim is driven to work with children and their loving families to help them on the financial side. She currently works with so many wonderful families and enjoys being able to help them any way she can. Managing the Accounts Receivables enables TK to thrive, grows the business, creates opportunities to invest in new technologies, and accomplishes whatever goals we may want or need to make the business be the best it can be.
Favorite Color:
Red
Interests:
When Kim is not working, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, walking, and photography.
Jennifer, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Bio:
Jennifer has been working as an Occupational Therapist for over 23 years with a concentration in school-based practice. Jennifer also has experience in early intervention.
Education:
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Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University
Certifications:
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National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
Personal Quote:
“As an Occupational Therapist at TK, I am driven to work with children and their loving family to continue my growth as a therapist in the area of pediatrics. ” – Jennifer
Favorite Color:
Interests:
Jen loves spending time with her family, especially at the beach!
Janice
Occupational Therapist
I have been in the field of occupational therapy for over 22 years, working with children and families within the school setting and pediatric outpatient setting.
I received my Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Hartford in 1999. I have maintained my National Board Certification in OT since that time. I am certified in sensory integration and administering the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. I also have experience with the Handwriting Without Tears program, the Wilson Foundations program, the Alert program and the Zones of Regulation program.
As an occupational therapist at TK, I strive to support the families of the children that I work with and provide children with the tools and strategies that they need to become more independent and successful in their daily life skills.
My best accomplishments are my three children. My husband and I spend a lot of time driving them to and from practices, games, and tournaments. I love watching them play in all of their volleyball, basketball and lacrosse games. I enjoy spending time with my family whether it’s a sporting event, playing board games or kayaking at a nearby lake.”
Lucia
Office Assistant & Managed Care Specialist
Bio:
Lucia’s work is motivated by her need to help others and make a difference in their lives. Her generosity, patience, and organization all help TK succeed. She graduated from a Massage Therapy school, which gave her an understanding of the human body in an alternative light. She also graduated from St. Vincent’s College for Medical Assisting, which gave her an understanding of the human body in a scientific and medical light. In Medical Assisting she was taught the essential Office Assistant protocol and how to help the medical office function in a smooth and organized way.
Education:
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Massage Therapy from Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy
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Medical Assisting from St. Vincent’s College
Certifications:
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Certified Medical Assistant
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Religious Education
Personal Quote:
“I am dedicated to making as many families’ lives as improved and happy as I can manage from my position here at TK. Although I do not work directly with the children, I still manage to work with the family as a whole.” – Lucia
Favorite Color:
Purple
Interests:
Lucia is a former Sunday School Teacher (Catechist) and enjoys working with and talking to kids. She is also a loving momma to two Cattle Dog mixes that light up her life and are amazing at loving their parents and ALL people.
Desiree, COTA/L
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Bio:
Desiree has been in the Occupational Therapy field for 5 years with specialties and experience in pediatrics, servicing children with special needs and medical and physical disabilities. She has worked with children and families for over 26 years in various settings, first as a caretaker, then as a teacher and assistant director in a learning center, and lastly as an Occupational Therapist for Therapy Kinections. Desiree is dedicated to helping and supporting children and families in all capacities. She values her work as an Occupational Therapist and the positive impact she has on the families she services. She loves working with the pediatric population and wants to be able to help as many children as she can, in all aspects of their lives. This profession allows her the opportunity to do that holistically, while also being a supporter and advocate for families on their journey.
Education:
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Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant from Goodwin University
Certifications:
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National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
Personal Quote:
“As a COTA, I am dedicated to providing support, skilled services and advocacy to the children I service and their loving families, so that they can navigate their challenges successfully and with hope for their child’s future.” – Desiree
Favorite Color:
Lavender
Interests:
Desiree likes to spend time vacationing in Cape Cod and camping with her family.
Sarah, M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Bio:
Sarah has worked with children and teens in university clinics, schools, and CT Birth to Three. She as worked with the following diagnoses: expressive/receptive language disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorder, fluency, and social communication disorders.
Education:
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Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders
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Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Southern Connecticut State University.
Certifications:
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Currently pursuing Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
Personal Quote:
“I strive to create a functional and fun therapy environment and believe in a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to best support each child’s individual needs and goals.” – Sarah
Favorite Color:
Blue
Interests:
Sarah enjoys skiing, hiking, playing board games, and baking.
Rosalie, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Bio:
Rosalie has been an Occupational Therapist since 2021 with experience in the pediatric population as well as the rehabilitation of adults/older adults in a hospital setting. She has many interests in the areas of feeding therapy, reflex integration therapy, and utilization of a multi-sensory approach to learning skills to help children succeed in their everyday environments.
Education:
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Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Springfield College with a minor in Psychology
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Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Springfield College
Certifications:
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American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) member
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American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR & AED certified
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CPI Dementia Care and Behavior Certification
Personal Quote:
“As an Occupational Therapist at TK, I am driven to work with children and their families to help them become successful in their daily environments and overcome challenges with confidence. I strive to provide family-centered therapeutic interventions that are fun, engaging, and holistic.” – Rosalie
Favorite Color:
Purple
Interests:
When not working, Rosalie enjoys spending time with her family in Maine.
Linda, PT
Physical Therapist
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
Certifications:
CPR and First Aid
Favorite Color:
Black
Lynn Friebel, OTR/L
FOUNDER & Occupational Therapist
Bio:
Lynn has been an occupational therapist for almost 40 years, and most of her time has been involved in treating the pediatric population. Lynn started Therapy Kinections over 17 years ago as she saw the need to help children outside of the school system. Her first year at Therapy Kinections was spent in a small building on Route 67 in Southbury where she started seeing children after school hours. It only had a single therapy room. She invested in a few swings, a therapy ball, and some small items to help with fine motor skills. She then expanded to a much larger office in Woodbury and was there for 3 years. After that, she moved into the current office that Therapy Kinections is now in and she is celebrating her 14th year at this location! Therapy Kinections also proudly offers Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology to encourage continuity of care for all children. Although Lynn is no longer taking new patients, her dreams and aspirations make Therapy Kinections what it is today and she still enjoys the idea that many families can be helped and guided through their journey! She loves seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as they have fun working on their skills while playing fun games and activities with the therapists.
Education:
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Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy
Certifications:
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National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
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Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing
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Craniosacral Therapy
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Therapeutic Listening
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Feeding Therapy
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CPR and First Aid
Lynn’s proudest accomplishment with regards to certifications is being trained in Animal Assisted Therapy, as she and Bradley (our therapy dog who recently retired) have made a huge impact on all of the children!
Personal Quote:
“I have always wanted to help others achieve many goals and I feel that it is important to help the whole family, including parents, grandparents, and siblings”. – Lynn
Favorite Color:
Orange
Interests:
Lynn’s favorite things to do outside of Therapy Kinections are to read and go to the beach.
Reach…. Grow…. Soar….
Therapy Kinections is about Pediatric Therapy… kinecting your child to their world, and to yours. So they will flourish, receive much needed support, and the building blocks to grow.
It’s a big world out there, and a big step, but an important one.
We’ll help.

