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Ann Martin Center
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January 2015
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| Greetings from AMC Executive Director | |
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We begin the new year with recharged hope and optimism about strengthening families who face adversity. Our clinic and school-based services are in full swing now. Every day brings a new set of rewards and challenges in our work with children as we enhance learning skills and the ability to express feelings. Through psychotherapy and educational therapy, we focus on removing barriers to learning. Our core services are enriched by the new Parent Education Program (PEP) that features workshops on important and often complex parenting issues such as attention disorders, gender identity, and different approaches to discipline. We're grateful to La Clinica de la Raza for presenting in the upcoming PEP series. These workshops give us a special opportunity to collaborate with other agencies that are part of the safety net services in Alameda County. Other collaborations include Crisis Support Services and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. We send our best wishes out to our community of friends and supporters for a healthy, peaceful, and fruitful 2015. Sincerely yours,
 David S. Theis, DMH Executive Director
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New Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2013-2014
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We are pleased to share with you Ann Martin Center's 2013-2014 Annual Report highlighting our mission of providing quality psychotherapy, educational support, diagnostic assessment, and training for at-risk children, youth and their families in Alameda County. The report showcases the year's accomplishments, recognizes the many donors and partners who provided generous gifts to support our critical work, and details revenue and spending for the year.
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"Louisa* has been a wonderful source of information. My child quickly enjoyed working with her. She went above and beyond to make sure she answered our questions. Louisa provided appropriate follow-up treatment for my son and has been wonderful in helping to improve our son's school situation."
*All names have been changed to protect confidentiality.
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Expanding Parent Education through Triple P
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 The Parent Education Program (PEP) expanded its services this past fall quarter, adding extended programs to complement our single event workshops.
PEP welcomed the return of Dr. Mary Haake's three-part series for parents with children who struggle with anxiety in October. We were also able to provide a three-part series for parents with children experiencing executive function difficulties in November, led by Educational Therapist, Carrie Lindemuth.
Both programs received positive feedback from parents and PEP is hoping to continue providing these important workshops in the New Year.
Another exciting addition to PEP services included the realization of our first Triple P group in mid-October. The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program is an 8-10 week, evidenced-based, parent training program, which includes 5-7 group sessions, 3 individually tailored phone consultations, and a personal workbook.
Triple P is designed to give parents simple and practical strategies they can adapt to suit their own values, beliefs and needs. Developed by clinical psychologist Professor Matt Sanders and his colleagues at Australia's University of Queensland, Triple P has been shown to work with hundreds of thousands of families through ongoing research over 30 years. Be on the look-out for our next group, which we hope to start in the coming months.
Finally, we have a great line-up of new speakers and presentations scheduled for the winter quarter! Please stay connected by visiting our webpage for the most up-to-date information on PEP.
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The Benefits of Psychological Testing Services
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Serving approximately 30-40 families each year, Ann Martin Center's Psychological Testing Program provides opportunities to gain more understanding about a child's cognitive and emotional functioning by utilizing many different methods, including standardized assessments, classroom and/or home observations, and collateral meetings with teachers and other helping professionals.
Observations and interviews provide information about a child's maladaptive behaviors and standardized assessments offer insight into underlying issues that may be impacting a child's functioning at school and in the home environment. Some of the difficulties children face may be related to trauma, family dynamics, immigration issues, learning difficulties, attention and concentration problems, underdeveloped social skills, and sensory overload. We work toward putting the pieces together to better understand the child's current functioning and provide specific recommendations to help him/her decrease difficulties and increase stronger and healthier development.
The results of testing are provided in a written report and in a feedback session with the family. When appropriate, we also provide a feedback session for the child using a narrative story to help the child understand and process difficulties and emphasize strengths.
Examiners in the program consist of 20-25 pre and post graduate doctoral students. All trainees attend a weekly testing seminar and receive intensive group and/or individual supervision. Third and fourth year practicum students mainly provide testing services at the nine Oakland elementary schools served by Ann Martin Center's school-based program. First and second year psychological trainees mainly provide testing services at our clinic.
For more information, contact the Psychological Testing Coordinator, Leighko Yap, PhD at (510) 655-7880, ext. 327.
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"Testing provided me useful information to better meet the needs of my child. My son loves meeting with his therapist, Mandy. He is always happy and content when leaving. He has been doing better in school and has fewer problems now."
*All names have been changed to protect confidentiality.
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Save-the-date! Annual Spring Gala: A Night of Magic
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We invite you to join us on Friday, April 17, 2015 for a Night of Magic to celebrate Ann Martin Center's successes and to sow into the future of our psychotherapy and learning programs. We are excited to host our annual fundraiser at a new location, the majestic Scottish Rite Center across the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland.
The evening will include a cocktail hour and silent auction, gourmet dinner, live auction, special appeal and entertainment featuring renowned magician, Patrick Martin. Auctioneer Keith McLane of KLM Auctions will amuse the crowd raising bids for unique getaways, dinner parties, and more!
Kathy Hull, PsyD, serves as our Gala Honorary Chair for the occasion. As a Board Alumna of Ann Martin Center, Kathy continues to inspire us through her commitment and leadership in community service as Co-Founder and Board President of the George Mark Children's House.
100% of proceeds will benefit Ann Martin Center's vital programs and services providing psychotherapy and learning support for at-risk youth in the East Bay.
We gratefully acknowledge the Major Sponsors and Hosts for this signature event:
Illusionist
Louise Muhlfeld Patterson
Charmer
Hill Blackett, III and Elaine Bayus
Ann and Jon Reynolds
Betty and Mark Simpson
Conjurer
Linda and Mike Baker
Geoff and Alison Rusack
Jacquette Theis
Enchanter
Evelyn and Robert Apte
Robin and Edward Blum
Cook, Disharoon & GreatHouse, Inc.
Francine and Ethan Royce
Evan Seevak and Sarah Pearson
Sue and Tom Smegal
Fritz and Mary Wooster
Table Hosts
Kathy Hull and Bill Gisvold
Deborah and Steven Kaminski
Marian and Tim Nelson
MaryAnn and Eric Pearson
David Theis
Joan Waranoff
John White and Marcia Black
Donations/pledges are as of January 14, 2015
Tables and tickets are on sale now! You can buy tickets at an early-bird reduced price through March 2 and RSVP online, or send us your reply card by mail.
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Meet Joan Waranoff, Secretary of the Board
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"The staff and board members at the Ann Martin Center have provided me with a warm welcome. I look forward to serving as the Board Secretary and on the Finance Committee. It will be my privilege to contribute to the development and expansion of effective programs to reach more children, parents and teachers."
Drawn to Ann Martin Center by the opportunity to make a difference for the at-risk school population in her community, Joan Waranoff joined the board in April 2014.
As a volunteer in her own children's classrooms, she observed too many students with emotional, behavioral and educational needs without access to the support services that would promote their adjustment to school and their success in life.
While she grew up in New York State, she has been a Bay Area resident for over 40 years. Her most recent career was spent in the health insurance industry where she worked in Medical Informatics, Finance and Quality Management. Since retiring in 2008 she has taken up painting and recently had her first solo exhibit.
In addition to the Ann Martin Center, she currently participates as a volunteer at her synagogue in development, technology and finance. Her past volunteer experiences include PTA (with two years as president) and American Bone Health (working on staffing strategy and insurance reimbursement tracking and analysis).
Joan is a graduate of Cornell University (Biology), Sarah Lawrence College (Human Genetics) and the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley (Finance and Marketing).
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New Spring Professional Lecture Series
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We're excited to present our Spring series of professional lectures.
February 6, 2015: Jerry Krann, MD, Sleep Issues in Adolescent
March 6, 2015: Randy Ahn, PhD, MLIS, Prevention and Mitigation of Adverse Childhood Experiences through Triple P - the Positive Parenting Program
March 20, 2015: Carolyn Edwards, MEd, Jerry Krann, Feeling Like a Bad Educational Therapist: Shame in the Counter-Transference
April 3, 2015: Cindy Rasicot, LMFT, Jan Rao, and Alex Georgakopoulos, Support for Parents with Teens in High Risk Situations
April 17, 2015: Candis Cousins, PhD, Normal and Excessive Levels of Anxiety in Learning and Development
May 1, 2015: Kristin Carey, PsyD, More than Skin Deep: Understanding Self-Harming Behaviors in Children and Adolescents
May 15, 2015: Carina Grandison, PhD, The Process Approach to Developmental Neuropsychology Assessments
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