Growing Times - April '22

Click here to download a PDF version of the Spring Newsletter

S.M.A.R.T. Steps: Providing Readiness

How do we best prepare our children for future success?

For nearly 25 years, our Minnesota Learning Resource Center has addressed this question via S.M.A.R.T. (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training), a movement-based program designed to enhance brain development in elementary-aged children.

​With decades of proven results in academic settings, the S.M.A.R.T. team took the next logical step: In 2020, they launched S.M.A.R.T. Steps, a version of the program adapted for Family Child Care Providers working within their homes with newborns to five-year-olds.

“This crucial stage in a child’s development sets the foundation for a wide range of skills and learning capacities,” says Katie Hansen, Assistant Director of the program. “S.M.A.R.T. activities strengthen these foundations, like balance and coordination, eye movements, and auditory discrimination. Once these skills become automatic, a child is more equipped to sit still in a chair, read smoothly across a page, and hear differences in sounds - all essential for school readiness and academic success.”

With input from the providers, S.M.A.R.T. activities have been specifically tailored to their needs. And the first 18 providers we’ve trained love it! The plan is to take the program statewide in the near future...Continue reading

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Calming Your Mind: De-Stress with Brain Training
Wednesday, April 20, 2022  |  6:00-700 pm
​​Learn how brain training can help you de-stress and break free from the noise inside of your head. Gain a better understanding of Neurofeedback and Audio-Visual Entrainment and how they can help you or a loved one who is struggling with anxious thoughts or difficulty focusing. Plus, attendees will have the opportunity to experience a free brain-training session of their choice! 
​Register Here

Advanced-Brain Summer Program Preview
Wednesday, May 11, 6:00 - 7:00pm
If you or a family member struggle with focus, anxious thoughts, aggression, memory, sleep, low mood, or impulsivity, then one of these programs is for you!  Learn about our newest brain training program, the Advanced-Brain Wellness program! It's designed specifically for those who don't need an intensive but want to add a little more calm and focus to their life.

You'll also learn about the Advanced-Brain Intensive which includes both brain-training modalities so that you have support for the kids in a clinic setting and home support for the parents. There'll be plenty of time for questions, so you can choose the right summer program that meets your needs. And, just for attending, you'll receive special brain training bonuses valued at up to $400! ​Register Here

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Advanced-Brain Wellness PRogram: AVE Brain Training

Learn more

Feeling stressed? Trouble focusing? Are you lacking energy? If you said yes to any of these, then this program may be a perfect fit for you! Support your brain’s health and take charge of your wellness with Audio-Visual Entrainment - a holistic brain-training program that uses lights and sounds to improve your focus, energy, and calm.

Train once or twice weekly, for 3-6 weeks, in our private training rooms with a custom program that fits your schedule! You’ll be amazed at how you feel after a 30-minute session. Imagine how you’ll feel after regular training tailored to your goals. It’s one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to support a healthy brain and bring back some calm and focus into your life. Register here!

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Advanced-Brain Summer Intensive

Skip the summer slide with our comprehensive summer brain-training program! Combining in-clinic Neurofeedback sessions with in-home support via Audio-Visual Entrainment, this flexible program allows you to train your brain on your schedule! If you or a loved one struggles with emotional instability, poor focus or anxious thoughts, we encourage you to visit our Summer Intensive page and submit a program inquiry form.

Includes 20 in-clinic Neurofeedback sessions with assessments at each session, as well as your own AVE unit. For intensive pricing and questions, call (612) 789-1236 or email neuro@actg.org​.

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2022 S.M.A.R.T. workshop Dates are Here!

Boost your students’ learning readiness skills and prepare them to become life-long learners with our amazing S.M.A.R.T. program! Our experienced instructors will help you understand how to easily implement these brain-stimulating activities in your classroom. If you are an educator working with Pre-K - 3rd graders, this program is for YOU!

S.M.A.R.T. Workshops
June 21-23, 2022
July 12-14, 2022
October 25-27, 2022
February 21-23, 2023

​S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops
June 28-30, 2022 (Kasson, MN)
July 19-21, 2022
August 2-4, 2022 (New Ulm, MN)
November 1-3, 2022

View All Workshops

Can’t make a 3-day workshop? We are holding a 1-day Bridging the Gap workshop on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis, MN unless otherwise noted. Register two weeks in advance and save $25! Register today to secure your spot!

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Save the Date! Race for the Children Returns!

A Chance To Grow is excited to announce we will be holding our 31st Running of the Race for the Children event on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. Attendees will receive a complimentary racing form and buffet lunch in the Longshots Party Area, and the event will feature fun activities for the whole family and great live racing! Proceeds support ACTG’s programs and services. Registration is now open and sponsorship opportunities are available.

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Get Your Eyes and Ears Checked!

A Chance To Grow’s Vision and Audiology Clinics are here to support all of your vision and hearing needs. If you or a loved one is struggling to see or hear clearly, or you just need an annual check-up, contact us at (612) 789-1236 to schedule an exam. Our experienced clinicians provide comprehensive care plans to quickly identify and address any vision or auditory-related issue. Custom therapy programs are available as well! Visit Clinical Services to learn more or submit a scheduling request.

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Contract School-Based Services
Our Clinicians Will Come To Your School!

A Chance To Grow contracts its speech and occupational therapists, optometrist and audiologist to schools across Minnesota for students with IEPs. Our team supports sensory processing needs, fine motor development, language skills and much more. We provide student-centered, academic-focused, and evidence-based therapies on-site by fully licensed clinicians. We can also save your school money! Our Third-Party Billing services help schools receive maximum reimbursement of Special Education costs. If you are a parent or an educator interested in bringing our Contract School-Based Services to your school, call us at (612) 789-1236 or email contractops@actg.org.

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Home-Based Services: Custom Care Plans

Need help caring for a loved one with special needs? We can help! ACTG’s Home-Based Services provide Personal Care Assistants, Homemaking Services, and Respite Care to families in need. Demand for our high-quality home care has never been greater. Our experienced team will guide you through the process and provide a custom care plan tailored to your situation. Call us today at (612) 789-1236 to get started!

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Now Hiring at Turnquist - Join Our Team!

We are looking to add new members to our child care team! If you enjoy working with children in a fun environment, we encourage you to visit our Employment page and submit an application. Current openings include a Full-Time Lead Preschool Teacher and Full-Time Preschool Assistant Teacher. Both positions include a $500 sign-on bonus! Apply today!