 Our Extended FamilyA Chance To Grow is proud to be a part of Northeast Minneapolis, a vibrant community that nurtures the arts, its businesses and the vital work of nonprofit organizations that serve the neighborhood. The area’s community organizations have played a critical role in helping us meet our mission for decades. We’d like to introduce you to three of our most ardent Northeast supporters: Kiwanis Club, The Exchange Club, and the Lions Club.
These are local chapters of national organizations. In Northeast Minneapolis, these all-volunteer organizations work hard to raise money to support organizations like ours, as a way to ensure that we can meet the needs of our neighbors. Their support over the decades have given us a chance to grow. > Click here to continue reading Introducing the Garden of Hope!
Your monthly gifts sustain our operations year-round so that we can continue to provide life-changing services to everyone who needs them. Not all our costs are covered by insurance or grants, and some families can’t afford our services. By joining The Garden of Hope, you ensure that we can be there for those who need us most. We invite you to visit our Garden of Hope webpage and explore the benefits of being a member and see how your generous gifts impacts those we serve. For questions, please contact Vicky Stein at victoria.stein@actg.org. the Race for the ChildrenA Chance To Grow’s 32nd Running of The Race for the Children returns to Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN on Sunday, August 20!
Registration is NOW OPEN and sponsorship opportunities are available! To sign-up, or for more information, visit ACTG.org/RacefortheChildren. Thank you to our 2023 Event Sponsors!
Fall S.M.A.R.T. WorkshopsS.M.A.R.T. and S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops are right around the corner! Don’t miss your chance to experience this amazing 3-day workshop and discover how to boost your students’ learning readiness skills through fun and engaging movement activities! Space is still available, but filling up fast! Registration is NOW OPEN!
*All workshops held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis unless otherwise noted. Register two weeks in advance and save $25 on your registration fee! Can’t make a 3-day workshop? Register for our 1-day Bridging The Gap Workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2023. Summer Intensives
If you or a loved one struggle with a lack of focus, sleep issues, emotional instability, inability to calm, or brain fog, then this intensive may be a good fit. Call (612) 789-1236 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the program! Summer Neuro Integrative Intensives also available! This intensive combines several interventions that collectively promote brain growth and development through purposeful movement. By establishing more efficient neurological connections between the brain and body, this intensive can improve higher-level functioning as well as physical and emotional independence. Click here to complete a program inquiry! Jo Gascoigne - A Special EducatorWe are sad to share that our dear friend and colleague, Jo Gascoigne, passed away on June 1, 2023 at the age of 91. She was a pioneer in the education field and a dedicated volunteer at A Chance To Grow.
A Chance To Grow’s late founder, Bob DeBoer, said this about Jo’s contributions: “She’s done remarkable work on behalf of special education across the country and we are so grateful she saw value in our mission and felt inclined to share her talents with us. She was a wonderful volunteer who helped build this organization in ways most people don’t know.” We honor her memory with every child we serve. Thank you, Jo! > Click here to read our feature story on Jo from 2019 Vision Clinic Temporarily ClosedA Chance To Grow’s Vision Clinic and OptomEYES Vision Therapy are temporarily closed and not accepting new clients. Our optometrist, Dr. Shelby May, has accepted a year-long residency at The Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, a leader in vision therapy and developmental optometry. Dr. May will return July 19, 2024. We wish her luck and look forward to her return! We are still able to provide optical services to patients with a current eyeglass prescription. We have a wide selection of frames (as low as $70) and are able to accommodate children and adults enrolled in PMAP or MHCP programs. For questions or to schedule an optical visit, please contact (612) 789-1236 or email vision@actg.org. ACTG Awarded Operations Grant!Exciting news! A Chance To Grow was recently awarded a $5,000 general operating grant from The Casey Albert T. O’Neil Foundation! Thank you so much to the Foundation, we are so grateful for your support!
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 The Best Kept Secret Hadley is a shy but sweet teenager who loves her family, friends and especially her dog, Buddy. From the beginning, school hasn’t come easy to her. Her parents first noticed something was amiss in second grade when they’d try to do homework with her and she’d cry and beg not to do it. Her writing looked more like a toddler’s handwriting and she couldn’t seem to stay focused on the class material. Her parents were worried – they knew she was smart, yet she struggled in virtually every subject in school, especially reading and math. They were determined to get her the help she needed and began searching for answers. A full neurological evaluation yielded diagnoses of ADHD and Dyslexia. > Continue reading about Hadley's journey
Summer 2023 S.M.A.R.T. Workshops!We are excited to announce our upcoming schedule of S.M.A.R.T. and S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshop dates for this summer (and beyond) at A Chance To Grow! If you are an educator working with Pre-K - 3rd graders, this is the program for YOU! Registration is now open for all workshops. All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis, MN unless otherwise noted. Register two weeks in advance and save $25 on your registration fee. Register today and secure your spot! Advanced-Brain Summer Intensives
If you or a loved one struggles with a lack of focus, sleep issues, emotional instability, inability to calm, or brain fog, then this intensive may be a good fit. Call (612) 789-1236 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the program!
Vision Clinic Has a New Home!A Chance To Grow's Vision Services have moved offices in our building, just down the hall to suite 220. The new space provides more room for vision therapy activities, optometric equipment, eyeglass frames and offices. Additionally, the new space will allow us to see even more clients! Call us to day at (612) 789-1236 to schedule an exam and come see it for yourself! Or, take a video tour with Dr. May! MNRI Courses at ACTG Begin this Month!A Chance To Grow is hosting two Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) courses this spring. The first course, titled Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration, runs from April 21-24, 2023 and is led by Trina Deiss. The course focuses on the importance of primary motor reflex pattern maturation. The cost for the course is $756.
Minnesota Autism Conference: April 26-28
2023 Race for the Children is Back!
Turnquist Awarded Revitalization Grant
Garden of Hope Launches July 1
Employment OpeningsA Chance To Grow is hiring!
 What Makes Us So Special?A Chance To Grow is a special place for many reasons, not the least of which is our Turnquist Child Enrichment Center, that primarily serves young families that require county assistance to receive childcare services.
Vision Clinic Accepting New Clients!
'23 S.M.A.R.T. Workshops Begin Next Month
Registration is open for all Elementary & Pre-K workshops! Our experienced instructors will help you understand how to easily implement these brain-stimulating activities in your classroom. *All workshops will be held in Minneapolis, MN. Register two weeks in advance and save $25! S.M.A.R.T. Steps Program Expands!The S.M.A.R.T. Steps program - a pilot project designed to bring the S.M.A.R.T. program to Family Child Care providers - has begun its 4th cohort, with nearly 80 providers from around the state enrolled in 2023.
New Year, New Focus with Neurofeedback Brain Training
MNRI Courses Return to ACTG this Spring!
The second course, titled Proprioceptive and Cognitive Integration, runs from May 19-21, 2023, and is led by Theresa Fischer. In this course, participants explore links between the proprioceptive and cognitive systems. Cost is $576. To learn more or register for either course, please visit www.masgutovamethod.com/events. For all other questions, please call (612) 706-5553.
“She was an essential member of our team and we will miss her greatly. The dedication and loyalty to the agency, as well as the PCA’s she managed and the families she served, has been outstanding and admirable. We know that she will excel in her new adventure and wish her all the best! Thank you, Edith!” - Erica Dickerson, ACTG Executive Director Save the Date: 2023 Race for the Children!
28th Annual MN Autism Conference
Sheet Metal Connectors, Inc. Helps Turnquist Families!
We would also like to sincerely thank the Minnesota Department of Health, who awarded us $2,500 to purchase and install a new hydration station in our lobby, ensuring access to clean and safe water for our clients and staff.
 The CranioSacral ConnectionAt A Chance To Grow, we know from experience that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to helping individuals reach their highest potential. Every client we see is unique. We are proud to be able to offer many therapeutic modalities to help our clients achieve their goals. Our therapists -- experts in auditory, vision, occupational, speech/language therapies and neurotechnology -- routinely work collaboratively to best address client needs. We believe that everything related to our health and wellness is connected, and it’s through this holistic lens that our team is able to provide the most comprehensive and individualized care for the whole person.  For example, our Neuro Integrative Clinic combines elements of reflex integration, developmental movement, and sensory processing therapies that collectively promote brain growth and social, physical, and emotional development. To give our clients the most comprehensive care available, we continue to add therapeutic approaches. So we are delighted to announce that Jennifer Voorhees, an occupational therapist (OTR/L) who is trained in CranioSacral Therapy techniques, reflex integration and sensory processing therapies, has joined the Neuro Integrative Clinic. >> Click here to continue reading! Introducing Mindful-Calm Brain Spa Destress with ACTG’s newest neurofeedback program, Brain Spa! Designed specifically for adults who are looking for a relaxing atmosphere to cultivate a peaceful calm, not only within their mind, but body as well. Featuring enhanced lighting, scientifically orchestrated music with the gentle sounds of nature, aroma therapy, optional weighted blankets and more, this program promotes an all-encompassing relaxation experience! To learn more or to register, contact us at neuro@actg.org or call (612) 789-1236. Space Available for Last S.M.A.R.T. Workshops of 2022!The final S.M.A.R.T. Workshops of 2022 are approaching! Learn about a developing brain and how S.M.A.R.T.’s movement-based activities will ENERGIZE your student’s learning readiness. Don’t miss your chance to experience this transformational workshop. Registration is open for all our upcoming Elementary & Pre-K workshops! Our experienced instructors will help you understand how to easily implement these brain-stimulating activities in your classroom. Register today!
New Audiology Equipment Dr. Sara Cook, next to the new Equinox 2.0 Audiometer The Audiology Clinic at A Chance To Grow recently installed new testing equipment to help us better care for our clients with hearing challenges. This includes the Equinox 2.0 Audiometer, capable of advanced clinical audiometry to measure hearing acuity, as well as the IMP440 Tympanometry machine, which evaluates the condition of the middle ear and measures acoustic reflexes and otoacoustic emissions. “This new equipment will allow us to better assess hearing impairments, especially allowing us to obtain more objective information for diagnosis purposes,” says Dr. Sara Cook, ACTG’s Audiologist. Schedule a hearing assessment today by calling us at (612) 789-1236. Neurofeedback Rental Units Available
Support ACTG on Give to the MAx Day!
When you give to A Chance To Grow, you ensure that individuals struggling with brain injuries, illness or inadequate development get the innovative, individualized and comprehensive therapies they need. On November 17, please visit www.givemn.org/organization/Achancetogrow/ to help our clients GROW TO THE MAX! Thank You For Supporting ACTG's Race for the Children!Thank you to all the attendees and sponsors of our 31st Running of the Race for the Children at Canterbury Park this past August. You helped make this one of the best events ever!
New Food Pantry for Turnquist FamiliesA Chance To Grow’s Turnquist Child Enrichment Center is excited to announce the opening of its new FREE Food Pantry! Open to all families, the pantry features fresh produce, non-perishables, household goods, toiletries and more. Special thanks to Second Harvest Heartland for helping to stock the pantry, and to our Turnquist staff for getting it ready for our families!
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.
Home-Based Services: Custom Care Plans
 Seeing The Invisible ProblemFor as long as he can remember, Samson has had vision problems. When he was young, he was always tripping over things, misjudging distances. He was given glasses at an early age, but even with them, he had trouble seeing.
Join us for a Day at the Races!
The event will feature fun family activities and great live racing! Attendees will also receive a complimentary racing form and buffet lunch in the Longshots Party Area. Registration is now open and sponsorship opportunities are available. Proceeds support the programs and services of A Chance To Grow.  Space is Available for 2022 S.M.A.R.T. Summer 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! MNRI NeuroTactile Integration Course: October 29-30A Chance To Grow will be hosting a Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration course led by Pamela Curlee on October 29-30, 2022 at its facility in NE Minneapolis.
Turnquist Child Enrichment Center Awarded Multiple GrantsThe Turnquist Child Enrichment Center (TCEC) is pleased to announce it has been awarded multiple grants to support the growth and stability of the children and families who receive our services!  The Sauer Family Foundation awarded a $11,190 grant to TCEC to implement the Conscious Discipline curriculum, which creates a compassionate culture in the classroom that increases self-regulation, sense of safety, connection, empathy and intrinsic motivation in children who have experienced or are at risk for experiencing trauma. Our TCEC children are at high risk for poverty, trauma, learning difficulties and behavioral issues. Most are low-income, special needs, are in foster care and/or are children of teen parents. The Conscious Discipline approach will provide support for positive social-emotional development for these children. Grant activities include acquiring materials, training staff, and integrating the curriculum into daily activities.  Second Harvest Heartland awarded a $5,000 grant to TCEC to create a food pantry. Until now, TCEC staff has only been able to create pop-up pantries in available space with only shelf-stable items. This grant will allow TCEC to create a permanent pantry space that has refrigeration and more room, thus allowing us to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and other perishables, as well as canned and packaged items on a daily basis. The new pantry will not only provide healthy and nutritious items to our families, many of whom experience food insecurity, it will also attract new families to our center, allowing us to expand services to the NE area more broadly. The grant money will be used to buy equipment for the pantry. “We are so grateful to the Sauer Family Foundation and Second Harvest for awarding us these grants,” says Elizabeth Ruzek, Director of Turnquist. “Theses funds will help us continue to nurture the minds and bodies of our students and their families so that all may reach their full potential.” Advanced-Brain Summer Intensives: Neurofeedback + AVE
Advanced-Brain Wellness Program: |
| Are you stressed or do you find it hard to focus? Do you lie awake at night with your thoughts spinning? 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 today! |  |
Third-Party Billing Tops $3 Million in Revenue for Minnesota Charter Schools
Since 2011, charter schools throughout Minnesota have relied on ACTG’s Third-Party Billing service to receive extra funding for their special education needs. School funding is always less than what is needed and our service allows schools to receive funding through federal sources on top of the federal and state funding they already receive. To get this extra funding, schools have us bill for services like occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, audiology, mental health services, interpreters, special transportation, PCA services and more. With our extensive understanding of school finance, we are able to help schools navigate the complexities of third-party billing to make sure they are reporting expenditures properly with the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Department of Health Services to ensure they receive full reimbursement.
To date, we have served 70 charter schools and generated over $3 million in revenue for these schools which they can use to help fund special education needs. This past year alone, we assisted 46 schools and more than 1,800 eligible students. Click here to learn more about Third-Party Billing or call us at (612) 789-1236.
To date, we have served 70 charter schools and generated over $3 million in revenue for these schools which they can use to help fund special education needs. This past year alone, we assisted 46 schools and more than 1,800 eligible students. Click here to learn more about Third-Party Billing or call us at (612) 789-1236.
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.
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
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
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
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
| 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! |  |
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.
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 |  |
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!
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. |  |
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. |  |
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.
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!
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!
Meet our partner in
the somali community
..A Chance To Grow is committed to providing services to those who need them the most. Sometimes, that means partnering with an agency that focuses on meeting the needs of a specific population. For example, we knew from the research and from our own experience that the Somali community has higher rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than other groups, but that there were barriers – language, culture, or transportation – that prevented parents of these children from getting services. So in 2019, we began a partnership with ISKA, Inc., a Somali-owned community service organization. It was founded by Ifrah Hudle, a human service professional who recognized that Somalis not only have a very high prevalence of ASD, they also have to deal with barriers to getting help...Continue reading
| Join us for the final workshop in our Brain Training Workshop Series, AVE for Improved Relationships, and discover how brain training can support the most significant people in our lives, like our friends and families. When we move out of our stress response, we’re more equipped to express our true selves and strengthen those relationships. Learn more about Audio-Visual Entrainment and try a session for yourself at this interactive and engaging workshop! Registration is now open! |  |
Registration open for
2022 S.M.A.R.T. Workshops
We are now accepting registrations for our 2022 S.M.A.R.T. and S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops. Boost your students’ learning readiness skills with this amazing program! Our experienced instructors will help you understand how to easily implement brain-stimulating activities in your classroom. If you are an educator working with Pre-K or K-3rd graders, this program is for YOU! Register today!
| S.M.A.R.T. Elementary Workshop February 22-24, 2022 *Early-Bird Pricing Ends February 7 Standard: $585 | *Early-Bird: $560 | Principal: $300 S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshop March 1-3, 2022 *Early-Bird Pricing Ends February 14 Standard: $450 | *Early-Bird: $425 | Director: $300 |  |
All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis. We are committed to the safety of our participants, presenters, and community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We follow all recommendations and guidelines of the state health department. Click here to review our workshop registration policy.
S.M.A.R.T. Steps Update
| The S.M.A.R.T. Steps pilot program is beginning its third cohort this month, training new family childcare providers on low-cost S.M.A.R.T. activities that promote healthy brain development in children ages 0-5. The program has been implemented in 18 childcare settings in southern Minnesota, with future plans to expand to central and northern Minnesota in the coming years. More details about future S.M.A.R.T. Steps cohorts and training opportunities will be shared soon! |  |
Need Help Caring for a
Loved One with Special Needs?
If so, ACTG’s Home-Based Services and Personal Care Assistant (PCA) program can help. Our experienced staff is here to help you navigate the various requirements from the MN Dept. of Health to get you and your loved one the support you need. We are dedicated to helping families achieve positive outcomes by providing custom plans tailored to each situation. Additionally, our services allow clients to hire a family member or a friend to serve as the PCA. To see if you qualify, please call us at (612) 789-1236, or visit our Get Started page to find the right program for your family!
Neurofeedback rentals available
| Are you interested in improving your focus and reducing your stress, but short on time? Neurofeedback brain training may be the perfect solution! With our rental program, you can now train your brain from the comfort of your own home, on your schedule! Works great for families with multiple members that want to try brain training too, and safe for all ages! Start the new year with a calm and focused mind! Learn more by visiting our Neurofeedback Rentals page or inquire about the program today by contacting Kelly Pittman, Director of Neurotechnology, at neuro@actg.org. |  |
New to vision clinic - RightEYE
ACTG’s Vision Clinic is excited to announce a new, cutting-edge tool just added to our screening and therapy services, called RightEye. This revolutionary eye-tracking technology allows eye care professionals to quickly and objectively identify and address vision issues in children and adults. In just five minutes, the RightEye EyeQ test will provide meaningful information about your functional vision. With our experienced optometrist and vision therapist, we will provide a comprehensive plan to help you or your loved one see clearly! Here's our optometrist, Dr. May, to help introduce this wonderful new tool!
Call us at (612) 789-1236 or submit a scheduling request to schedule your RightEye vision screening today!
In Memory of Jon Gudding
In November of last year, A Chance To Grow lost our long-time custodian, Jon Gudding. For those of you who knew Jon, he was so much more to us here in our building. He made everyone who came to ACTG feel welcome. “Mr. Jon” provided endless entertainment for our child care students while he cleaned and made repairs in their classrooms. He was also known as our “building therapist,” helping anyone with any problem they were dealing with that day. He was acquainted with many of the families we work with and always stopped to say hello. Jon was a big part of the ACTG family and we will miss him terribly.
Now Hiring - Join our team!
A Chance To Grow is looking to add new members to our team! If you are interested in learning more or applying for any of the following positions, please visit our Employment page.
*Includes $500 Sign-on Bonus!
*Includes $500 Sign-on Bonus!
- FT Preschool Assistant Teacher* (Turnquist Child Enrichment Center)
- FT Toddler Teacher* (Turnquist Child Enrichment Center)
- FT Infant Assistant Teacher* (Turnquist Child Enrichment Center)
- PT Infant Assistant Teacher* (Turnquist Child Enrichment Center)
- PT Speech-Language Pathologist (School-Based)
- PT/FT Speech-Language Pathologist (Outpatient Clinic)
Thank you for supporting ACTG's holiday gift auction
Last month, ACTG held its 2nd Holiday Gift Auction fundraiser! Thank you to all the organizations and individuals for their generous donations, and to all of the bidders for their participation. Your support allows us to continue to provide life-changing programs and services to help individuals reach their highest potential. We are truly grateful. Check back later this year for more details about our next Holiday Gift Auction, and the 31st running of the Race for the Children!
A Living, Breathing Miracle
We recently heard from an old friend, Sharon O’Shaughnessy, with an update on her daughter Rachel’s progress. Their story is not only inspiring, it shows the extraordinary lengths ACTG parents are willing to go to in order to give their children the best chance at a full life. And that’s exactly what Sharon did.
| When Sharon was pregnant with Rachel, 26 years ago, they were in a very bad car accident. “Somebody crossed the center line and took us out,” remembers Sharon. “We were never really sure if that had anything to do with anything,” but it was clear from birth that there were problems. > Continue reading Sharon and Rachel's story and hear her advice for parents |  |
Vision Care
for the Whole Family
ACTG’s Vision Clinic is now accepting clients of all ages! If you or a loved one are struggling to see clearly, or if you just need an annual check-up, please call us today at (612) 789-1236 to schedule an appointment. Our Vision Clinic offers:
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S.M.A.R.T. Workshops
Registration Now Open!
We are now accepting registrations for our 2021-22 S.M.A.R.T. and S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops. Boost your students’ learning readiness skills with this amazing program! Our experienced instructors will help you understand how to easily implement 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. K-3 Workshops - October 26-28, 2021 - February 22-24, 2022 S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops - October 19-21, 2021 - March 1-3, 2022 All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis. Register two weeks in advance and save $25! |  |
Join the S.M.A.R.T. Steps Team
S.M.A.R.T. Steps, a pilot project to bring S.M.A.R.T. activities to Family Child Care Providers, has entered its second year and is now beginning a new session to train providers.
| This new program will provide children ages 0-5 years with fun, play-like activities that promote natural, healthy brain development, making them ready to succeed in school. The activities are designed to be low-cost and easy to implement in any setting. We are seeking providers in Blue Earth, Brown and Dodge counties in southern Minnesota. Participants will receive virtual training, mentoring and equipment free of charge. If you or someone you know who provides child care services is interested, we invite you to visit our S.M.A.R.T. Steps page and submit the form to see if you may qualify. |  |
Need Help Caring for a Loved
One with Special Needs?
If so, ACTG’s Home-Based Services and Personal Care Assistant (PCA) program can help. Our experienced staff is here to help you navigate the various requirements from the MN Dept. of Health to get you and your loved one the support you need. We are dedicated to helping families achieve positive outcomes by providing custom plans tailored to each situation. Additionally, our services allow clients to hire a family member or a friend to serve as the PCA. To see if you qualify, please call us at (612) 789-1236, or visit our Home-Based Services page to find the right program for your family!
Turnquist is Hiring!
Turnquist is seeking a full-time Assistant Preschool Teacher and a full-time Infant Assistant Teacher. Each position starts at $15/hour, includes health and dental benefits, paid time off, paid training and a $500 sign-on bonus! For more details on the positions, and to apply, please visit our Employment page and submit an application.
Give to the Max Day 2021
is Thursday, November 18
Minnesota’s annual Give to the Max Day is approaching! For 24 hours, donations made to MN nonprofits will provide opportunities for those organizations to win bonus funding! A $5 donation could turn into thousands! When you give to ACTG, you ensure that individuals whose brains have been affected by injury, illness or inadequate development get the innovative, individualized and comprehensive therapies they need. On Thursday, November 18, 2021 please visit www.givemn.org/organization/Achancetogrow/ to help our clients GROW TO THE MAX!
2021 HOLIDAY GIFT AUCTION
OPENS: NOVEMBER 26, 2021 AT 12:15 AM | CLOSES: DECEMBER 5, 2021 AT 11:45 PM
| The holidays are on their way and ACTG is here to help you find the perfect gift for that special someone! Our Holiday Gift Auction returns on Black Friday, November 26 and runs through Sunday, December 5. Registration for the online auction is now open at ACTG.org. |  |
Amazing gifts for all ages! Electronics, outdoor gear, tickets and sports memorabilia, housewares, toys for kids, gift cards and more! Don't miss this 10-day event and your chance to get great deals on fantastic presents!
ACTG's Holiday Gift Auction has something for everyone! Skip the mall and bid on great items for work, home and play! Free shipping and delivery by Tuesday, December 14. Proceeds support the programs and services of A Chance To Grow!
ACTG's Holiday Gift Auction has something for everyone! Skip the mall and bid on great items for work, home and play! Free shipping and delivery by Tuesday, December 14. Proceeds support the programs and services of A Chance To Grow!
featured items:
Thanks For supporting
ACTG at the Race for the Children!
Thank you to all the sponsors and attendees of our 30th Running of the Race for the Children at Canterbury Park this past August. We are so grateful for your continued support of our organization and mission. Your generosity helps us provide essential services to children and adults in need, lifting them up to reach their highest potential. Thanks to you, the event was a tremendous success and we can’t wait to do it again next year!
| We would also like to congratulate Mr. Pat Fagerlee (right), the big winner for our 50/50 Raffle! Pat won $3,020, and ACTG raised the same amount for its programs and services. Pictured alongside Pat is our # 1 ticket seller, Al Morelli! Thanks to Al and Pat, and everyone that bought or sold tickets this summer. If you would like to learn more information about ACTG’s events, including details on sponsorship and partner opportunities, we invite you to visit our events page. |  |
A Family Affair
Linda Nesenson has been part of A Chance To Grow’s family – and we’ve been part of hers – since 1994. Her journey mirrors ours, as this story demonstrates.
Linda’s second son, Matthew, born in 1988, began having issues with focus and hyperactivity as a toddler. By the time he was in kindergarten, the impact was obvious: “He was so overwhelmed with everything that was going on,” remembers Linda, “he would just laugh and laugh, he didn’t know what to do. He would go full force and conk out.” He was so disruptive to the class, he spent half the day in the hallway on a chair because they didn’t know what to do with him.
Linda’s second son, Matthew, born in 1988, began having issues with focus and hyperactivity as a toddler. By the time he was in kindergarten, the impact was obvious: “He was so overwhelmed with everything that was going on,” remembers Linda, “he would just laugh and laugh, he didn’t know what to do. He would go full force and conk out.” He was so disruptive to the class, he spent half the day in the hallway on a chair because they didn’t know what to do with him.
 Linda, pictured next to a photo of herself and a child receiving vision therapy, taken 20 years ago. | By the time he was six, his pediatrician had diagnosed him with ADHD and had put him on Ritalin. “It wasn’t doing anything, so they just wanted to keep upping and upping the dosage,” recalls Linda, “so he developed a tic, eye blinking, and I said, ‘no, we’re not doing this.’ The saving point came when I saw a flyer advertising the Boost Up Program.” > Continue Reading Linda's Story |
Save the Date for ACTG’s
30th Running of the Race for the Children!
A Chance To Grow invites you to join us on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Longshots Party Area at Canterbury Park in Shakopee for the 30th Running of the Race for the Children! In addition to live racing, the event will feature a blackjack tournament (new!), the drawing for our 50/50 cash raffle, a silent auction, mini-games with prizes, a pick-six event, a wine pull, and fun activities for the whole family! Attendees will also receive a complimentary racing form and catered lunch.
Proceeds from the event support ACTG’s essential programs and services. Please click here to register. Sponsorship opportunities are also available!
Proceeds from the event support ACTG’s essential programs and services. Please click here to register. Sponsorship opportunities are also available!
Current Jackpot Total: $2,035!
Neurofeedback:
Learn and Train Workshop
| Are you interested in learning about Neurofeedback, maybe even try a session? Curious about how to use Neurofeedback at home? If this is you, we invite you to join us on Wednesday, July 21 at 1:00 pm at ACTG for an opportunity to learn and experience what Neurofeedback is all about! Participants will be able to hook up to a Neurofeedback system and participate in a full-length brain-training session! For more details about the workshop, contact our Director of Neurotechnology, Kelly Pittman, at neuro@actg.org. |  |
Registration Now Open for
2021-22 S.M.A.R.T. Workshops!
We are now accepting registrations for our 2021-22 S.M.A.R.T. and S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops! Boost your students’ learning readiness skills with this amazing program! Our experienced instructors will help you understand how to easily implement 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 S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops |  |
Additionally, we have scheduled a 1-day Bridging the Gap workshop for Wednesday, September 29, 2021. This is a great workshop for educators working with small groups, including reading specialists, intervention teachers, Title I, special education teachers and paraprofessionals.
All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis, MN. Register two weeks in advance and save $25!
All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis, MN. Register two weeks in advance and save $25!
Eyes and Ears Check!
ACTG’s Vision and Audiology Clinics are now accepting clients! If you or a loved one are struggling to see or hear clearly, or if you just need an annual check-up, please call us today at (612) 789-1236 to schedule an appointment. Our clinics offer:
- Quick appointments with minimal wait times
- Exams and assessments for the whole family
- Integrated services with additional interventions available
- Referrals and recommendations for continued treatment
- Most insurance plans are accepted
Home-Based Services
Hiring Personal Care Assistants
ACTG’s Home-Based Services is currently seeking new Personal Care Assistants (PCA) to care for individuals with special needs in the Twin Cities area. PCAs provide direct support to meet the health and safety needs of their clients, both in the home and in the community. Early morning, afternoon, evening and weekend hours are often available. Applicants must be 18 years or older, have experience working with special needs individuals, have a required DHS background check and fingerprints, access to a reliable transportation and must complete DHS PCA certification test. For more information and to apply, please visit our Employment page.
Sauer Family Foundation
Awards Turnquist $12,000
We are excited to announce that the Sauer Family Foundation has awarded ACTG’s Turnquist Child Enrichment Center a $12,000 grant in support of its effort to move its curricular and assessment activities to online platforms, as well as to provide transportation to families enrolled in Turnquist’s Teen Parent Program. Thank you to the Sauer Family Foundation for their continued support of our programs.
The Northland Foundation
Supports S.M.A.R.T. in Northern MN
The Northland Foundation is supporting the MLRC’s efforts to bring the S.M.A.R.T. approach to northern Minnesota by providing the Rock Ridge School District with a $25,000 grant to provide K-3 educators with training and mentorship that will allow them to implement S.M.A.R.T. throughout the district. Thank you to The Northland Foundation for helping to grow S.M.A.R.T. in northern Minnesota.
Different ways of knowing,
Different ways of growing
A Chance To Grow provides a wide range of services designed to help people at all levels of ability reach their optimal growth. Our focus on brain function affords us the opportunity to offer many approaches that are designed to complement each other and improve quality of life. One family has been with ACTG since its beginnings, and their journey with us – beginning with Boost-Up, the program that is the basis for most of our programming, to clinical services, to PCA services. Their story provides insight into the impact of everything we do.
| Michelle Schutt first brought her son Scott, who has serious developmental delays, to Boost-Up when he was 11 years old. Doctors had been unable to tell her what was causing his delays, and their prognosis for him was bleak. She heard about Boost-Up from a friend. “I’m the kind of parent who thinks ‘okay, he is what he is’ but if I can find something to help him that’s not intrusive, okay.” While Scott participated in the program, she availed herself of the resources in our Kretsch Library, named for a family whose son had serious head injuries and who devoted their lives to finding research that could help him. Her reading showed Michelle that there were alternatives to the Special Education teachers who she felt were “not helpful” for her son. “My understanding is that they don’t have much training in brain-based approaches.” After observing its benefits, she became a Boost-Up teacher. |  Michelle's son, Scott |
When ACTG began to explore the use of neurofeedback, a brain-training approach, Michelle was excited, and before long, she launched what became our Neurotechnology Program.
>> Continue Reading Michelle's Story
>> Continue Reading Michelle's Story
Vision Clinic:
Now Accepting Most Insurances
ACTG’s Vision Clinic now accepts most health insurance plans, including:
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We understand that health care billing can be confusing, but our experienced staff is here to help walk you through the process. We recommend you contact your provider to see if we are in your network, but for all other questions, please contact us at (612) 789-1236.
S.M.A.R.T. & S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshop Dates Registration Now Open!
The 2021 Summer 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! Register today!
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! Register today!
Additionally, we have scheduled a 1-day Bridging the Gap workshop for Wednesday, September 29, 2021. This is a great workshop for educators working with small groups, including reading specialists, intervention teachers, Title I, special education teachers and paraprofessionals.
All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis, MN. Register two weeks in advance and save $25! S.M.A.R.T. Workshops are following all the safety guidelines provided by the Minnesota Department of Health. Training room is set for social distancing so space is limited. Register today to ensure your spot!
All workshops will be held at A Chance To Grow in Minneapolis, MN. Register two weeks in advance and save $25! S.M.A.R.T. Workshops are following all the safety guidelines provided by the Minnesota Department of Health. Training room is set for social distancing so space is limited. Register today to ensure your spot!
SMART Steps for
Family Child Care Providers
| We are excited to introduce S.M.A.R.T. Steps - a pilot project designed to bring the S.M.A.R.T. program to Family Child Care providers. This new program will provide children ages 0-5 years with fun, play-like activities that promote natural, healthy brain development, making them ready to succeed in school. The activities are designed to be low-cost and easy to implement in any setting. |  |
Generous funding from Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation and the Otto Bremer Trust has allowed the necessary planning for this new program. We recently began training Family Child Care providers from Brown County, MN, and plan to offer additional opportunities in the coming months for new providers to experience the S.M.A.R.T. Steps program - stay tuned!
April is OT (And SLP)
Appreciation Month!
We would like to recognize our amazing team of Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists who have worked so hard throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to provide essential services to children, adults and families in need. We are very grateful for everything you bring to the organization. Thank you for your passion, professionalism, and commitment to our clients. You are truly the best and we are so lucky to have you all at A Chance To Grow!
Save the Date for ACTG's 30th Annual
Race for the Children!
A Chance To Grow is excited to announce that we will be holding our 30th Annual Race for the Children event on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN.
Event attendees will receive a complimentary racing form and buffet lunch in the Longshots Party Area. Additionally, the event will feature a silent auction, raffles with amazing prizes, a pick-six event, a wine pull, fun activities for the whole family and great live racing! Proceeds from the event support ACTG’s essential programs which serve children, adults and families struggling with learning difficulties, brain injuries, developmental delays and more.
Registration is now open!
To register, as well as read additional details on sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
*Notice: The date of this event is dependent on COVID restrictions at Canterbury Park, which are subject to change. ACTG will communicate instructions should the date or availability of the event change.
Registration is now open!
To register, as well as read additional details on sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
*Notice: The date of this event is dependent on COVID restrictions at Canterbury Park, which are subject to change. ACTG will communicate instructions should the date or availability of the event change.
Space Available in our child care
Schedule a Tour Today!
| The Turnquist Child Enrichment Center currently has space in our infant and preschool rooms. Turnquist is an NAEYC-accredited and 4-star Parent Aware certified daycare center for children ages 6-weeks-old to Kindergarten age. Our dedicated staff provides a nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional & cognitive development of each child. If you or someone you know is seeking child care, we invite you to call (612) 789-1236 to schedule a tour of our facility and see if Turnquist is a good fit for your family! |  |
SpringForwardMN
May 1-11 at GiveMN.org
GiveMN will be hosting a statewide giving campaign running from Saturday, May 1- Tuesday, May 11 to help Minnesota nonprofits power what comes next.
| Each gift you make during SpringForwardMN provides ACTG with a chance to have a bonus grant added to your gift! If they randomly select your donation, ACTG could receive additional funding from a $50,000 grant pool! Please visit GiveMN.org between May 1-11 to make a donation to A Chance To Grow and help us continue providing life-changing programs and services to children and families in need. Thank you! |  |
Authors
Ean Koerner
Marketing Specialist
ean.koerner@actg.org
Vicky Stein
Director of Development
victoria.stein@actg.org
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