Are You Ready for Overnights?

The NDSC newsletter this month has a great article about whether this is the year to try out an overnight program for your special needs child (link below). Keep reading to see what Sandy Keefe, our Associate Director and Health Care Manager, had to say about the first time that she sent her daughter to an overnight program:

"Twelve summers ago, I drove to Via West Campus (then Camp Costanoan) to drop off my daughter Allie, who has Down syndrome. She was 9 years old at the time, and so excited about the swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, dances and talent shows she could share with her friends with developmental and physical disabilities.

Today, Allie and I live at Via West--I work as the associate director and health care manager, and Allie is a junior program staff member. We continue to enjoy typical outdoor recreational activities with friends, but she is even more thrilled with the value-added programs provided at the campus now. She loves the culinary arts and nutrition sessions, has gained valuable information from our iPad and fitness sessions, continues to improve her social skills and leadership, and thrives on the life skills, community integration and vocational lessons.

Despite serious cardiac issues, a seizure disorder and significant gastrointestinal problems, Allie is able to enjoy all of the programs on campus, plus field trips to exciting destinations such as Santa Cruz Boardwalk and San Francisco Zoo, because of the strong nursing care provided by Via West Campus.

Like any other special needs parent, I struggled with the decision to send my daughter off "on her own" for a summer program. If you are looking for a summer program for your child (5-22 years old) or adult (18 years on up) with Down syndrome, please consider the recommendations shared by the National Down Syndrome Congress to guide your decision. And please feel free to contact me directly (skeefe@viaservices.org or 408-867-1115, ext. 106) to talk about how your son or daughter would fit into our program."

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=jjpyswbab&v=001Udjluc4seekxsFVGSa5cOHmpMKf4ZN4SQL0VqmRTVLnWhJiW2Kht7EtVrP4vpQ_zFafKMxF4yIjRE9LfWDNB3nFdp8oNA5-UWRTFqj_F92rEeMp0jh69T5WD5e2_O6NnodYxlM8FgWQIkiTYmQuuPQ%3D%3D

Welcome Back Nurses!

The summer of 2012 marks the fourth year of the Via West Summer Nurse Internship Program that began with a generous grant from The Valley Foundation. Over the course of 11 weeks, ten nursing students and new graduate nurses from San Jose State and San Diego State will complete a community health nursing curriculum focused on the specific needs of children, teens and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. In addition to providing an extra layer of care for participants with medical issues, the internship serves as a mechanism to increase the pool of nurses who are comfortable and competent meeting the special needs of our population.

New Director and Associate Director at Via West Campus!!

Via Services is thrilled to announce that our very own Sandy Keefe has become Via Services' Associate Director as well as the Health Care Manager at Via West Campus!!   Sandy Keefe has been with Via Services for 10 years and has her Masters Degree in Rehabilitative Nursing.  Sandy also has a daughter who attends Via West Campus.  Sandy is a familiar face to all Via West parents, as she has been the Health Care Manager at Via West and actively involved in the care of all participants. She has already been instrumental in developing the programs for weekend respites, and has taken over staffing responsibilities (among other duties).  We are so happy that Sandy has taken on these responsibilities, and we look forward to a wonderful respite season.

Sandy Keefe, MSN, RN  Associate Director and Health Care Manager at Via West

Our new Director is Leslie Davis.  Leslie is originally from the San Jose area and has resided here her entire life.  She loves the area – the people, the weather, the spirit, etc.  Her undergraduate degree is from Santa Clara University in Spanish and History in the teacher waiver program.  She started her career in teaching – ESL, Spanish, and SPED.  She moved into counseling in the public and private sector doing job development for persons with disabilities.  Having worked with both adults and children with disabilities, she then returned to school to gain her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitative Counseling and Special Education from San Jose State University.   She opened her own practice following that and provided transition, social security disability, and workers compensation to adults with disabilities.  Feeling the need to get back to the young ones, she returned to the public sector and worked as a Special Education Manager for a growing group of charter schools.  These schools served minority children in grades K through 5.  She is quite happy with the fact that she was able to establish an inclusive program serving all children of all of needs in this highly academic charter school setting.  In all of her positions, she specialized in bringing social/life skills to all clients.  She is thrilled to now be with Via Services as her beliefs completely mirror the mission of the organization.  Leslie believes in lifelong learning for EVERYONE and feels that this position will allow her to serve both adults and children in the most beautiful setting.  She is a hands on manager and is very excited to lead Via West in its’ next phase.

Leslie Davis, Director of the Via West Campus