Staff News - December '25

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Company-Wide

ABA

Supported Pathways

Programs and Courses

Waiver

Social Groups

Employment

Company-Wide

Upcoming Events

The holidays are on their way! Our clinic and offices will be closed December 24th and 25th.

We want to extend our deepest appreciation to every member of our team. Your commitment, creativity, and compassion are felt in every corner of our organization, from supporting clients in their daily growth, to strengthening families, to keeping our internal operations running smoothly.

• Because of you, our clients have gained confidence, learned new skills, found jobs they love, and experienced meaningful moments of joy.

• Because of you, our programs expanded, our collaborations strengthened, and our community impact grew.

• And because of you, we continue to build a community rooted in dignity, support, and genuine human connection.

During this holiday season, we hope you find time to rest, recharge, and celebrate the people who matter most to you. Thank you for showing up with heart every day. We’re grateful for each of you, and we’re excited for all that the new year will bring.

Warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a bright, inspiring New Year!

December Birthdays

Let’s wish a happy birthday to our amazing teammates:

• Maddie Freiburger – 12/12 (ABA)

• Alyssa Stuckey – 12/12 (ABA)

• Hayley Barnfield – 12/14 (Admin)

• Connie Konger – 12/15 (Admin)

• Kathryn Kelly Rethlake – 12/19 (ABA)

• Olivia Dunten – 12/20 (ABA)

• Serenity Shaw – 12/24 (ABA)

• Angelica Ullom – 12/27 (ABA)

We hope you all have the happiest of birthdays!

Welcome New Staff

ABA Services

Spirit Days

Holiday Spirit Days

December has some festive fun in ABA!

• Dec 12 – Pajama Day (Holiday Edition!)

• Dec 19 – Ugly Sweater Contest (A gift basket awaits!)

November's Pajama Day was a total blast! 

Clients and staff loved staying cozy while learning, and the donation of stuffed creatures from FYE made the day even more magical. The joy on kids’ faces said it all!

We’re looking forward to hosting a coffee & hot chocolate bar before holiday break, along with several festive learning activities for the kiddos. It’s shaping up to be a warm and cheerful season in ABA!

A Big Win in Documentation

Our ABA team has made huge strides in improving the timeliness and accuracy of SOAP notes and payroll documentation. This consistency strengthens our services, and we’re so proud of the effort and professionalism staff have shown.

Staff Superlatives

Our end-of-month training was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate each team member’s unique contribution and boost morale heading into the new year. Thanks to everyone who brings positivity, creativity, and excitement into our space!

Culture Champions!

Congratulations to our December Partners Culture Champions! We handed off the trophies today, shared stories and praise, and tried not to cry. It's so clear how much you all uplift and support each other. Look for a social media post featuring Kashina, Corey, Mary Mack, and Olivia!

Referral Bonus Alert

Know someone who would make a great addition to our ABA team? Invite them to apply! Referrals help us grow and strengthen the supportive, skillful community we’re known for. And don’t forget, staff referral bonuses are available.

ABA Staff Spotlight: Alyssa Stuckey

Please join us in celebrating Alyssa Stuckey, our new receptionist! Alyssa dove into her role on day one and has integrated flawlessly into the ABA team. She’s a fast learner, a strong communicator, and an incredible team player. Her positive energy and willingness to help make her an absolute asset. Welcome, Alyssa, we’re so glad you’re here!

Supported Pathways Learning Center

November was filled with hands-on creativity and festive learning in the Learning Center! After reading How to Catch a Turkey, students engineered their very own turkey traps using toothpicks and marshmallows. They brainstormed ways to improve on initial designs including adding food lures, expanding single boxes into wide webs, and adding to the height of their trap.

Students worked together to plan and build a gingerbread house, practicing design techniques, communication, and fine-motor skills. Their collaborative construction efforts resulted in a sweet and sturdy masterpiece!

After reading Balloons Over Broadway—paired with a video on how Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloons are created—students designed and crafted parade balloons of their own (though filled with air instead of helium). This activity sparked creativity, encouraged attention to detail, and tied literacy seamlessly into hands-on engineering.

Programs and Courses

Life Skills

Our clients and staff have been having a fantastic time with our Food and Nutrition spin-off course. They're strengthening practical baking and social skills while sharing knowledge and gaining confidence! 

As always, we welcome sponsorships to help support our courses. If you’re interested, please reach out to Amanda@PartnersinAutism.com to learn how you can get involved.

Autism Pre-Screening Assessments

Did you know anyone can get a discount on our prescreening assessments for autism, giftedness, or ADHD if they sign up for a family bundle or multi-assessment bundle?

If you know anyone who might benefit, or if you're interested for yourself or your own family, you can learn more here: https://www.partnersinautism.com/pre-screening-assessments

Waiver Services

December is shaping up to be full of hands-on learning and real-world skill-building! Clients will be practicing:

• Gift wrapping

• Shopping in busy stores

• Managing money

• Basic driving and navigation skills

Several clients are even focusing on fitness and personal growth goals before the “new year, new me” wave, which is exactly the kind of momentum we love to see in PAC and Behavior Consultation Services.

Staff Spotlight: April Ferguson

April began with us as a preferred caregiver, but her passion for helping others quickly stood out. When she learned about our new Life Skills course, Baking Basics, she eagerly stepped in to help facilitate. Her warmth, patience, and genuine care shine through in everything she does!

Social Groups

Navigators

Our Navigators group enjoyed a month of curiosity, creativity, and connection! Activities included:

• Making bouncy balls using a polymer powder and water in a mold

• Using UV light to reveal invisible ink messages

• Giving storytelling a try

These hands-on experiences continue to help clients build social skills in a fun, low-pressure environment.

Coming in 2026: Lasagna Love

We’re thrilled to announce that, starting next year, we’ll participate in Lasagna Love, a global nonprofit project that delivers homemade meals to families experiencing hardship. Our interested clients and families will be able to get together to practice kitchen skills while doing something that brings comfort, kindness, and connection to our broader community.

To help contribute supplies, contact Amanda@PartnersinAutism.com!

Employment Services

Client Successes

We have several Employment clients reaching major milestones as 2025 comes to a close:

• One client is preparing to close out successfully after becoming independent and successful at BigKidBrix.

• Another successfully closed and is thriving at Burlington while also attending school for theater.

• A client working in the cafeteria at Wayne High School is growing her independence and enjoying steady support from coworkers.

• One client is currently working as a picker at Sweetwater Distribution Center, consistently exceeding daily picking goals!

Employment Partners Spotlight

• Sweetwater Distribution Center has been an incredible partner. Their patience, kindness, and clear communication have helped our client thrive.

• BigKidBrix continues to be supportive, communicative, and eager to help two clients explore new job skills where they excel.

• Magic Wand has been outstanding in helping our client gradually build confidence before taking on busy weekend shifts. Their communication and steady support are deeply appreciated.

A huge thank you to all of our community partners for investing in confidence, growth, and opportunity for our clients!

Way to go, team!

Admin

Staff Spotlight: Connie Konger

Connie is our organized, detail-oriented, keeps billing flowing smoothly, rockstar! Connie is so task-driven, and we do not know what we would do without all of her billing and credentialing knowledge. She is always willing to lend a hand, problem-solve, and suggest a better way forward.