Greenville, SC (March 25, 2024): The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) is expanding their case management program and is now accepting new referrals for the first time in five years. Ranked as one of the top providers in the state, the CDS case management program has consistently earned high quality scores for coordinating disability services for their clients. Support from the Greenville Health Authority’s Healthy Greenville grant initiative made this opportunity possible for individuals who qualify with the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

“Case Management is a vital service for those who need it, and we are thrilled to finally accept new referrals again!”, said Brooke Schmidt, Director of Family Programs at CDS. “We hope to help more families navigate this complex system and bridge gaps with service delivery.”

Case Management involves the development of a care plan with significant input and involvement from the individual, their family members, and any other professionals in the individual’s life. The plan includes educational goals, desired skillsets, in-home support, employment resources, housing solutions, medical needs and equipment, and helping the client for years through life transitions.

If you would like to request case management services for yourself or a loved one, please call Brooke Schmidt at 864-371-6771, or email at brooke.schmidt@cdservices.org.

About CDS

CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive services in therapy, diagnosis, audiology, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; Project Hope Foundation; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

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Greenville, SC (March 11, 2024):  The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) is excited to announce the promotion of Brooke Schmidt as their new Director of Family Programs. In her new role, Schmidt will lead their case management program and a team of 20 as they continue to accept new referrals for service coordination in Greenville. She has over 17 years of experience serving the disability community with prior experience as a case management supervisor at Thrive Upstate before joining CDS in 2018.

“For the past six years, Brooke has been responsible for the hiring, onboarding and developing of a dynamic team that has made CDS one of the top ranked case management programs in SC,” said Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director. “We congratulate Brooke on her well-deserved promotion and look forward to her many contributions on the leadership team.”

Schmidt has a B.S. in Early Intervention from Winthrop University and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Academy from the SC Human Services Providers Association. She is actively involved in the disability community as a board member for the Barbara Stone Foundation.

About CDS

CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive services in therapy, diagnosis, audiology, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; Project Hope Foundation; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

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Greenville, SC (July 2023): The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) announces the promotion of three case managers to supervisor positions: Casandra Johnson, Cleonis Johnson and Shalanda Smith.

“These employees have developed great leadership skills over the years and their promotions are well deserved,” said Cindy Carter, Director of Family Programs. “Each supervisor brings extensive case management experience and long tenure to the field that will strengthen our service coordination to families.”

The new supervisors will transition immediately to help onboard and train new staff as the organization grows to serve more individuals with intellectual disabilities, related disabilities, and head and spinal cord injuries.

About CDS

CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive evaluation, diagnosis, therapy, psychology, audiology, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; Project Hope Foundation; Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

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[June 26, 2023] – Project Hope Foundation will join the Center for Developmental Services (CDS) as an on-site partner and ABA therapy provider at its downtown Greenville facility. CDS brings the expertise and value of multiple partners to one location, giving individuals with special needs direct access to many different services under one roof.

With eight campuses across the Upstate, serving clients from 12 counties, Project Hope Foundation is the largest ABA therapy provider in South Carolina. The need for autism services is greater than ever, with the diagnosis rate now 1 in 36. “Project Hope Foundation’s ABA therapy aligns perfectly with the collaborative services that many of our families need,” says CDS Executive Director Dana McConnell. “CDS is proud to add Project Hope to our list of partners, and showcase their brand alongside others in the building, as we continue to serve the thousands of people in our community who have developmental delays and disabilities.”

Located in downtown Greenville since 2000, CDS provides access to as many services as possible in one place to help families of children with developmental challenges from having to drive all over town to receive them. CDS and their partners offer developmental screenings, diagnosis, therapies, audiology, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, education, bilingual services, legal aid, care planning, case management, and family support.

“Many of our friends on the spectrum receive other therapies in addition to ABA,” says Susan Sachs, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Project Hope Foundation. “Moving into the CDS space will give our therapists the chance to collaborate with other specialists to offer the best, most well-rounded care possible, while also reaching new families in need of autism services.”

Project Hope will move into the CDS building on North Academy Street in July and aims to start offering ABA therapy sometime in August. More information about both organizations is available online: Center for Developmental Services | Project Hope Foundation.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Project Hope Foundation: Amanda Harley amanda@pefectpitchprod.com
Center for Developmental Services: Blair Stephenson blair.stephenson@cdservices.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Center for Developmental Services Highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine

Greenville, SC (March 1, 2023):  The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) was highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine as a successful example of how to best serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

CDS was created so families of children with IDD have access to a variety of services in one location and to better coordinate care. The unique partnerships and collaborative approach at CDS provide more comprehensive and effective care for children with IDD, which ultimately makes life easier for their families.

The Center for Developmental Services is honored to be highlighted in such a renowned international medical journal and to be part of the message that coordinated care is the best approach to health care for patients with IDD.

Jonathan Gleason, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of Prisma Health in Greenville, South Carolina, wrote the paper “Health Care Falls Short for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” published in the January volume of the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst | Innovations in Care Delivery, a journal read by medical professionals around the world.

The report includes several important findings, including that “patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face a myriad of health challenges, including poor outcomes, insufficient services, and a fragmented health care system that often lacks an understanding of their unique needs.” CDS’ innovative model of collaborative and coordinated care helps to address these challenges.

Desmond Kelly, MD, a practicing pediatrician and Chief Medical Research Officer at Prisma Health, contributed to the article, saying that “many families and guardians of patients with IDD look to community-based partnerships for help.”

Dr. Kelly has been an integral part of the leadership at CDS as the Medical Director of the Wonder Center, the only day care in the Upstate for children with medically complex needs. The NEJM article included his perspective in this excerpt:

Kelly mentions that the partnership between Prisma Health Children’s Hospital and the Center for Developmental Services (CDS) is a successful example of how these collaborations can work. CDS has five co-located agencies that provide multidisciplinary services for children with IDD (clinical services, education, outreach, legal aid, case management, and day care), while Prisma provides developmental pediatrics, pediatric developmental therapies (speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy), orthotics, and day care for children through age six.

“It’s tough for any patient to receive care in different settings and work with multiple providers, and that’s just exponentially multiplied in patients with IDD,” said Kelly. “Plus, a key benefit of using a shared facility is that families spend less time travelling to multiple treatment locations and find it easier to maintain their employment and other facets of daily life.”

At CDS, prosthetists and orthotists can work directly with physical therapists to ensure a child’s prosthetics and orthotics fit and function correctly. Families can bring several children to receive services all in one afternoon. Therapists can refer families to other providers in the building to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care for their needs. Medically complex children who attend the Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Wonder Center Day Care can receive therapy services during the day while their parents are at work, giving families more time to just be families.

These are just a few examples of how the multidisciplinary approach at CDS supports individuals with IDD and their families. CDS and our partners serve our community with the highest quality coordinated care, and we look forward to continuing to serve children and individuals with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.

About CDS

CDS is the largest multidisciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive services in therapy, diagnosis, psychology, audiology, day care needs for the medically complex, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of the Center for Developmental Services; Clarity; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics/Pediatric Psychology, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matching Gift Challenge for the Center for Developmental Services

Greenville, S.C. (January 30, 2023):

Dr. William “Bill” Schmidt, founder and Emeritus board member of the Center for Developmental Services (CDS), along with his wife, Jean, are challenging the community to support CDS. All gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000.

In the past 23 years, thousands of families in the Upstate have benefitted from the services CDS and its partners provide for children with developmental delays and disabilities. Dr. Schmidt’s vision almost 30 years ago was to create an organization that addresses the various needs of children with developmental challenges in one location. His vision is now impacting multiple generations.

“We are grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Schmidt for this incredible gift,” said Executive Director Dana McConnell. “This match will challenge our community to ‘Show Your Love for CDS.’”

CDS invites the community to join the Schmidts with a gift or pledge during the month of February to support children in our community. For more information about CDS or to participate in this challenge, visit www.cdservices.org. Gifts may also be mailed to CDS, 29 N. Academy Street, Greenville, SC 29601.

About CDS

CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive services in therapy, diagnosis, psychology, audiology, legal help, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; a Medical-Legal Partnership; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CDS Announces New Board Members for 2023

Greenville, S.C. (January 18, 2023):  The Center for Developmental Services announces the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors: Gerardo Cisneros, Jason Misrahi, Johanna Perez, Dominic Picciuto, and Anthony “Tony” Toklo.

These volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and bring a variety of perspectives and areas of expertise to the organization. They join nine other board members in their work to support CDS’ mission of serving children with developmental delays and disabilities.

“We are thrilled to have these community leaders join our board,” said Executive Director Dana McConnell. “CDS was grateful for so much interest this year. Our board members play a crucial role in the strategic direction of our organization.”

Gerardo Cisneros — Gerardo is the Vice President of Finance at Current Lighting (formerly Hubbell Lighting). Prior to his current role, he worked at Eaton Corporation and Cooper Industries. Gerardo brings over twenty years of finance experience from both the United States and Mexico. He looks forward to using his skillsets not only on the CDS board, but also on their finance committee.

Jason Misrahi — Jason moved to Greenville about two years ago from New York, where he was the President of Operations at J. Misrahi Realty Corporation in Manhattan. After moving to South Carolina, he started a rock & roll t-shirt business called Stitch Street. Jason is proud to represent the disability community and says that families are fortunate to have an organization like CDS in the Upstate.

Johanna Perez — Johanna is the State Director of Member and Community Engagement at Molina Healthcare. She also has the perspective of a CDS parent from when her daughter attended the Wonder Center. From 2010 to 2015, Johanna worked for CDS as the Bilingual Services and Outreach Coordinator.

Dominic Picciuto — Dominic started the Greenville location of Total Quality Logistics. He has worked for TQL for more than thirteen years as a leader in the logistics and supply chain industry. Since moving to the Upstate, Dominic and his team have impacted some of CDS’ most critical clients by raising funds and volunteering for their programs.

Anthony “Tony” Toklo — Tony is the Chief Marketing Officer for Davis-Standard. Prior to his current role, Tony worked at ITW Hartness, General Electric, International Paper, and Procter & Gamble both within the United States and abroad. His international and corporate experience with marketing and strategic planning will bring a global perspective to CDS.

CDS is honored to welcome these five outstanding community leaders to the Board of Directors as they commit their invaluable time and talent to supporting children with developmental needs and their families.

About CDS

CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive services in therapy, diagnosis, psychology, audiology, legal help, day care needs for the medically fragile, early intervention, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; a Medical-Legal Partnership; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville, SC. For more information about CDS and its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

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