Reaching Beyond Our Doors: Contract Services Expands

During the 2012-13 school year, physical therapist, Kristin Young, was promoted to Director of Contract Services. With the growing need to respond to schools with physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, it was a natural step in P.G. Chambers School’s organizational development to create a Contract Services Department to better support the services we provide in the community. This year we have established 15 separate school contracts, providing therapy to over 650 children.

We have also launched an effort, within the contract services department, to identify a second school district and establish a high school class modeled on the VISTA program, our collaborative class at Roxbury High School. Kristin, having worked in contracts for PGCS for many years, is building strong relationships with school personnel, allowing PGCS to respond to the needs of classroom teachers. “This is having an enormous impact on inclusive placement for children with disabilities in the community,” states Kristin. “I am thrilled to have PGCS in this role.”

Learn more about Kristin by reading five questions with Kristin Young, PT, DPT, PGCS Director of Contract Services.

1. What part of your job as Director of Contract Services are you most proud of?

I am honored to be the first PGCS employee to hold this position and proud to be able to bring our cutting-edge services to students in the community through Contract services. In this role, my major responsibility is to be an ambassador in other schools and agencies, bringing our message and approach to children with disabilities to the community. I provide supervision and guidance to the therapists, allowing them to focus on delivering the best treatment possible for students in the community, as well as at PGCS.

2. What brought you to P.G. Chambers School?

In 2004, I attended a continuing education class at PGCS and was drawn to the school, its mission, and dedication to children with disabilities. I was impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm of the therapists. Also, walking around the school, the students and staff happiness and love for learning was contagious. I wanted to be a part of creating possibilities for the students at PGCS and reached out to the former director of physical therapy, Cathy Pope, to inquire about openings. The rest, as they say, is history!

3. As a physical therapist, what is your greatest accomplishment in working with children with disabilities?

Seeing students become more independent and participating with other children their age is so rewarding. To know that through our therapeutic relationships, students participate in sports, engage in recess activities, and navigate the school with confidence, are the best gifts of this position.

4. Why did you want to be a physical therapist for children with disabilities?

When I was a teenager, I had a swimming injury and was helped enormously by my physical therapist. The help that I received made me want to do the same. Upon entering physical therapy school, I focused on sports therapy, and saw myself working with athletes after graduation. While in school, my final clinical placement was at Penn State, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where I was assigned to providing physical therapy to children with disabilities. This was life changing for me. During that placement, I learned that through physical therapy for children with disabilities I could make a real difference, and from there my career path was set.

5. What motivates you?

Our mission, discovering the unique potential within every child, motivates me to see that each one of them reaches his or her full potential through the therapies needed to be successful, both in school and in life. This propels me to extend our reach and implement our mission in the community, and serve a greater number of students through our Contract Services program. Oh and yes, vanilla lattes too!