PRESS RELEASE
Reaching Milestones with BCS celebrated the conclusion of autism awareness month with a grand opening of their second Jacksonville location and new school for autism. The formal ribbon cutting was held on May 2, 2013.
Reaching Milestones staff of directors, therapists and behavior analysts attended the event along with Chamber members, families and other representatives from social service agencies, schools and therapy centers. Following the ribbon cutting, staff gave tours of the new therapy center and school. Child care was provided in the large natural environment teaching (NET) room filled with functionally appropriate toys, swings and sensory items. The child care gave parents and professionals opportunities to meet in separate rooms and speak directly with the new Clinical Director, Foeke Rienks, and School Director, Kristen Duffney. Questions were answered regarding applied behavior analysis (ABA) as a treatment option for children with autism, social skills groups, summer camp, the new school’s curriculum, McKay Scholarship and many more. After the question and answer sessions concluded, food was served and door prizes were given to parents, community members and even the children!
Reaching Milestones is actively involved in the local autism community and specializes in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism. Reaching Milestones’ autism program focuses on skill acquisition (i.e., language, social skills, daily living skills, etc.) and problem behavior reduction. “We are extremely family-centered and update parents on a weekly and monthly basis of their child’s progress. We provide data to parents and discuss that data with them as well as answer any questions related to their child’s progress. We also provide parent trainings, community workshops and are present at events in the community,” says Foeke Rienks, Clinical Director.
Along with Reaching Milestones celebrating the grand opening of its second Jacksonville center, the opening of their new school for autism was also celebrated. “There was a need for a school for autism that focuses on varying levels of specialized instruction,” explains Kristen Duffney, School Director. “Our direct 1:1 instruction focuses on individualized skill acquisition programs, while small group instruction is centered on teaching social skills and classroom routines,” Kristen continues. Reaching Milestones’ new school for autism accepts the McKay Scholarship and is accepting students for Fall enrollment.
Reaching Milestones provides a free consultation and tour of the facility. Parents are encouraged to call 904-374-8536 and schedule an appointment. The new center and school are located off of 295 and Gate Parkway at 11512 Lake Mead Ave, Suite 601, Jacksonville, FL 32256.