Happy Holidays! - Kaleidoscope Family Solutions

M ONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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Note from Dr. Macatee:
Happy Holidays!
Kaleidoscope Family Solutions wishes all of you
a very happy and joyous holiday season. This is
the time for gratitude; and we are extremely
thankful for our clients, their families,
community partners and each other. Together
we can create a beautiful “kaleidoscope” of
exceptional possibilities as we enter the New Year.
Please join us for our Holiday
Party on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 in our Bryn Mawr,
PA office. Wear your holiday finest as we dine on fun,
foods and reminisce about great times from 2014. We
are expecting a huge turn-out, so be ready to make lots
of new friends and connections that can be a valuable
resource for support during the cold months.
Happy Holidays!! This year has gone by so quickly, and
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing
memories and wonderful accomplishments that KFS
experienced in 2014. KFS added several new team
members to our office, both on the recruiting team,
the credentialing team, as well as coordinators and
management staff. Our office in Bryn Mawr moved
from a small space to a much bigger area that we now
utilize for weekly activities. We opened a bigger office
in Pittsburgh, and opened a brand new Lehigh Valley
Office in Allentown, Pa. We started providing services
in Maryland for the Children’s Autism Waiver.
Additionally, we became a provider of the OBRA
Waiver in Pennsylvania and are approved for the
Community Living Waiver and Children’s Autism
Waiver in Massachusetts! Whew, the list goes on and
on! We couldn’t have done all of that without the help
of the owners and our staff. We were busy meeting
the mission of creating a colorful difference in the lives
of children and families everywhere! We participated
in Autism Walks around the state, several 5k runs, and
many other community events! And our biggest
accomplishment is that we celebrated our 10 year
Anniversary this past year! That milestone is a
testament to all the hard work and dedication that we
as a family at KFS put forth these last 10 years! I can’t
wait to see what 2015 holds, but I can only imagine a
colorful path to follow! Thank you and Happy Holidays
from our family at KFS to all of you!!
Mission Monthly
Each Monday KFS Staff meet and discuss the
highlights and successes of the previous week. Here
are some of the stories from this month.
Kaleidoscope Family Solutions Inc.
940 E Haverford Rd. Suite 102
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
P: 877-384-1729 F: 610-527-8672
www.kfamilysolutions.org
Creating a
Colorful
November was a busy month for KFS! We teamed up
with Avenue Foundations to provide homeless women
and children with essential items to keep warm this
season. Items such as hats, gloves, scarves, socks,
toiletries, blankets, tissues, non-perishable food items,
and even flashlights were collected and distributed.
In addition, KFS collected Thanksgiving food items for
local families in need. To us, giving is everything!
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M ONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The Corporate World
Adds “Color”
It is always refreshing to read that
community partners other than the usual
supportive agencies are stepping into the
“game” of making life better for those
with developmental disabilities. It is
especially encouraging when the
innovation begins with our children – the
capstone of beginnings for growth and
change that will make long-lasting
impacts. One of America’s top
toymakers has done just that by
announcing they will begin incorporating
interactive instructions and assistive
tools with many of their toys that
promote engagement for those of us who
think differently, or in theme with
Kaleidoscope Family Solution’s passion:
more colorful!
In an article posted on
disabilityscoop.com., a great resource for
updated information on autism,
developmental and intellectual
disabilities, learning challenges, and
anything related to maladjustments,
Michelle Diament (2014) writes that
Hasbro Toy Company, headquartered in
Pawtucket, RI, will soon offer a series of
user-friendly tools and interactive videos
to supplement seven of its most popular
toys. Using the creative name ToyBox
Tools, Hasbro will focus on what makes
kids with disabilities learn interactively
and collaboratively through play and
imagination.
Although, this will begin as a pilot
program, Hasbro is committed to
refining the tools based on feedback
from experts and consumers. In addition,
the resources will be available free
online in the near future.
Creating a
Colorful
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Kaleidoscope Spends the Day with Kennedy
Krieger Institute!
KFS proudly supported the
Kennedy Krieger Institute’s
Festival of Trees fundraiser
to prepare for the main
event benefiting autism
research, awareness and
treatment. Along with our
mental health community
partners, KFS bought and
decorated a tree to be
auctioned at the festival.
At this time of the year, we are particularly thankful for the
excellent work the Kaleidoscope staff continues to provide for Matt.
He is gaining skills and confidence in the workplace.
– Matt’s Family
We are pleased with Benjamin! He relates very well to
Jonathan. Jonathan eagerly looks forward to their time
together. We are really impressed with Benjamin’s personality:
mild spoken; easy going yet firm when necessary; good values; very
likable. He is a very respectful young man. I especially appreciate
how he keeps us informed when there are changes needing to be
made to our routine schedule. – Jonathan’s Family
Your agency has proven to be most helpful to us. Thank you.
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M ONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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Philadelphia Area Events
Lancaster Area Events
Exclusive Day at Sesame Place
Friday, December 5, 2014
Join Variety for a “Very Furry Christmas Event” at Sesame
Place in Langhorne, PA, from 4-8pm
http://www.varietyphila.org/events/details/join-varietyfor-an-exclusive-day-at-sesame-place/
Rocking the Spectrum
Autism Speaks and School of Rock
Sunday, December 7, 2014 3-6pm
The Cherry Hill School of Rock, in conjunction with Autism
Speaks, will host a free music seminar.
http://communities.autismspeaks.org/site/apps/nlnet/co
ntent3.aspx?c=ihLPK1PDLoF&b=7524027&ct=12733753
Autism Cares Foundation Holiday Party
Friday, December 5, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Council Rock High School South, Holland, PA
This is a free event for children and young adults with
autism and their families to enjoy music, dance and play
fun games. Dinner and dessert will be served!
Register at PAautism.org
Spectrum Friends of Harrisburg Holiday Shopping
at Park City Mall
Saturday, December 6, 2014 10:00am-4:00pm
The friends are traveling to Lancaster to walk, do holiday
shopping, socialize and have lunch in the food court.
http://www.bandsforautism.com/friendsHBG1/event/par
k-city-shopping-trip/
Christmas Dance Party hosted by CPARC
Saturday, December 6, 2014 6:00pm – 8:00pm
The Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Gym,
Mechanicsburg, PA
Autism-Friendly Santa
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
Dutch Wonderland & Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center is
offering families a private 15 minute visit with Santa.
Professional pictures will be available for purchase:
Contact Dan at 717-393-0425 x105 to sign-up
Morning at the Movies
Saturday, December 13, 9:00am – 11:00am
South York Cinemas, York, PA
Allentown Area Events
Allegheny County Area Events
The Caring Santa Program
Autism-Friendly Santa
Saturday, December 6, 8:00am -8:30am
Westmore Mall, Greenburg, PA
Sunday, December 7, 7:30am – 9:30am
Lehigh Valley Mall
Register for event: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/caringsanta-tickets-14027676157
Sensory Friendly Film “Penguins of
Madagascar”
Saturday, December 6, 10:00am
AMC Tilghman Square 8, Allentown, PA
ARCH of Lehigh Valley/Autism Society of Lehigh
Valley Christmas Party
Sunday, December 14, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
ARCH of Lehigh Valley, Allentown, PA
RSVP 610-573-2500
Creating a
Colorful
Caring Santa Visit
Sunday, December 7, 2014 9:00am – 9:30am
Ross Park Mall, Pittsburgh, PA
South Hills Village, Bethel Park, PA
Registration for all events required at:
http://www.aboard.memberlodge.com/page-260524
Parent’s Night Out
Friday, December 12, 2014 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Achievement Center, 4950 West 23rd Street, Erie, PA
Great opportunity for parents or caregivers to get a night
out! Children will be cared for by qualified individuals.
Register 814-455-3540
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M ONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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Holiday shaped pizza recipe
Bright Light Tips from the Department of Fire Services
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Unplug all lighting before retiring for the evening or
before leaving the house.
Purchase lights and electric decorations which
are listed by an approved testing agency such as
Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
Check all lighting for frayed wires, broken plugs,
sockets, etc.
Never overload outlets. Use no more than three
strands of lights on a single extension cord.
Never use candles on trees, near live or other
flammable decorations.
Blow out candles before leaving the room. Don't
leave candles burning unattended.
Consider buying new energy efficient LED lights
that don't get as hot.
Always use appropriate weatherproof lights
outdoors.
ATTENTION
PARENTS!
The next monthly support group will
be on…
Monday, December 22, 2014
6:30pm-8:00pm
Bryn Mawr Office
Topic: Helping your child develop
social skills
Learning, Prizes, Fun!
Ingredients:
2 (12 inch) precooked pizza crusts
 Marinara sauce
 Mozzarella cheese
 Red and yellow bell pepper
 Fresh spinach
 Pepperoni
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Using one pizza crust cut out a Christmas tree. Use the
other pizza crust to cut out a candy cane. You can do
this either freehand or by drawing the design on a piece
of parchment paper and then using that as a guide while
cutting.
3. Add cut out pizzas to a cookie sheet and add a little
marinara sauce to each cut out pizza. Sprinkle about 1/4
cup cheese onto each pizza and start decorating.
4. For the Christmas tree pizza add on a little fresh spinach
and then top with little round pieces of red pepper and
cut out a yellow pepper star for the top.
5. For the candy cane pizza make stripes using pepperoni
rounds. Leaving about 2 inches between "stripes."
6. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and
bottom is crispy.
Happy Birthday!
Christine L: 2nd
Mark S: 7th
Teresa M: 9th
Jacey Ci: 10th
Julius M 10th
Avram D: 18th
Ryan B: 20th
Elizabeth W 21nd
Mallory W: 31st
Jim M: 31st
Kaleidoscope Family Solutions Inc.
940 E. Haverford Rd. Suite 102
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
P: 877-384-1729 F: 610-527-8672
www.kfamilysolutions.org
Creating a
Yields 2 pizzas
Colorful
JOIN OUR MAILING
LIST!
It’s easy!
Text KFS to 42828 to get started*
http://bit.ly/KFS-SIGN-UP
Don’t miss out on any of the great
resources KFS has to offer!
Do you have an interesting story about Kaleidoscope?
Are you interested in attending the Monthly Parent
Support Group for Adults with ASD?
CONTACT: Pam Frebowitz at 267-603-4058 or email
[email protected]
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