Two residents receive promotions

The Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. (HARC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Longmeadow residents Nancy Kleiner, LCSW, to Director and Jane Rothschild to Assistant Director of its birth-to-three early intervention program, SteppingStones, which serves 26 towns in Greater Hartford.

Kleiner, who received a BS Degree in social science from Merrimack College in Andover, MA, and a Master's Degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University, came to HARC in 1997 when she was hired as a clinical social worker in HARC's then one-year old, early intervention program.

Kleiner became Assistant Director in 2000 and in 2003 was promoted to Director of Clinical Resources.

She began her current position as Director of Steppingstones in January 2005.

Rothschild, who received a BA Degree in modern languages and psychology from Union College in Schenectedy, NY, and a Master's Degree in communications disorders from George Washington University, came to the SteppingStones Program in 1998 as a speech/language pathologist.

Both Kleiner and Rothschild agree that a strength of the HARC SteppingStones Program is its staff, which is a wonderful blend of seasoned therapists and newer professionals.

According to the two women, "SteppingStones provides 16 different services, including occupational, physical and speech therapies, social work, education and family counseling.

Home visits from professional staff are important, however, the key to successful early intervention and change is the work the family does throughout the week."

The SteppingStones staff are cross-trained in one another's disciplines to allow them to see the child's situation most fully, rather than through the narrow perspective of a single discipline. While services are provided for the child, the staff view the family as an entire unit, coaching them on how to help their child, coordinating services, helping to find a service if it isn't offered through SteppingStones, and facilitating the transition to the appropriate education program when the child turns three.

As Rothschild says, "We become very involved with our families, and it usually evolves into a very gratifying partnership."

The populations served by SteppingStones include children with autism, Downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, extreme prematurity and developmental delays.

It is interesting to note that while SteppingStones is a program of the Greater Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. (HARC), many of the children served will not need the services of HARC when they get older.

With early intervention help, many will no longer need special education by the time they reach kindergarten.

Kleiner and Rothschild are delighted to be working together in these administrative roles after spending many years together, growing and collaborating as clinicians.

HARC believes their joint perspective and depth of early intervention experience will enrich the quality of services for the families and offer strong staff support.

Formed in 1951 by parents of children with mental retardation, HARC remains true to its mission of helping people with mental retardation and their families enjoy lives of quality, inclusion and dignity by providing support, education and advocacy.