A Chance To Grow - Brain-Centered Therapy Services

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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Honorary Spaces
    • Annual Report
    • Contact
    • Bob's Legacy Fund
  • Programs & Services
    • Clinical Services >
      • Client Forms
      • Vision Services >
        • Vision Clinic
        • OptomEYES Vision Therapy
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Speech Therapy
      • Neuro Integrative Clinic >
        • Treatment Models
        • NI Clinic Pricing
      • Audiology Services >
        • Auditory Processing
        • Workshops
        • Auditory Interventions >
          • JIAS
          • CAPDOTS
          • Acoustic Pioneer
      • Insurance Payers
      • Teletherapy Services
    • Brain Training >
      • Neurofeedback >
        • Neurofeedback Rentals
        • Advanced-Brain Summer Intensives
        • Brain Spa
      • Audio-Visual Entrainment >
        • Advanced-Brain Wellness Program
        • AVE Store
      • Brain-Training Workshop Series
    • Home-Based / PCA's >
      • Get Started / Qualify
      • Waiver Services
      • Intake Form
      • Become a PCA
    • MLRC / S.M.A.R.T. >
      • S.M.A.R.T. Program >
        • How S.M.A.R.T. Works
        • S.M.A.R.T. at My School
        • S.M.A.R.T. Mentoring
        • S.M.A.R.T. Steps
        • Research & Resources
      • Workshops >
        • S.M.A.R.T. Elementary
        • S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K
        • Bridging The Gap
        • Auditory Processing Workshops
        • Hosting a Workshop
        • Registration Policy
      • S.M.A.R.T. Supplies >
        • Downloads
    • School Services >
      • Third-Party Billing
      • Vision & Hearing Screenings
    • Turnquist Childcare >
      • Curriculum & Assessment
      • Teen Parent Program
      • Enrollment Forms
    • Summer Programs >
      • Neuro Integrative Intensives
      • Advanced-Brain Summer Intensives
  • Parents
    • Helpful Resources
    • Testimonials
    • Share Your Story
  • Events
    • Workshops
    • Race for the Children
    • Partners & Sponsors
  • News & Media
    • Growing Times
    • S.M.A.R.T. Newsletter
    • Success Stories
    • Photo Release
  • Donate
    • Garden of Hope
  • Store
    • Shipping & Returns

Growing Times - July '23

7/17/2023

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Click here to download a PDF version of our Summer Newsletter

Our Extended Family

A 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.
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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!

A Chance To Grow is excited to announce the launch of its monthly givers club, The Garden of Hope! Many clients come to us because we offer solutions that others don’t have, and because we treat the whole person, not a collection of symptoms. Now YOU can make sure that everyone who needs our services can get them!
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Enroll Today!
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 Children

A Chance To Grow’s 32nd Running of The Race for the Children returns to Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN on Sunday, August 20! ​
We invite you and your family to join us for a fun day at the races as we share our message of hope and raise funds to support our programs and services! Event attendees will receive a complimentary racing form and buffet lunch in the Longshots Party Area. The event will also feature a silent auction, raffles, a Wall of Wine and more!
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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!
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Fall S.M.A.R.T. Workshops

S.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!
S.M.A.R.T. Workshops
  • October 24-26, 2023
  • February 27-29, 2024

​S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops
  • August 29-31, 2023 (Badger, MN)
  • November 7-9, 2023
  • March 5-7, 2024
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*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? 
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Register for our 1-day Bridging The Gap Workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2023. 

Summer Intensives

Take advantage of what's left of summer break and complete our 20-session Advanced-Brain Summer Intensive in 6-10 weeks! Combining in-clinic Neurofeedback with optional at-home Audio-Visual Entrainment, this intensive allows you to train up to 3 times per week with flexible scheduling to see positive results faster!
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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 Educator

We 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.
Jo began her illustrious academic career in 1958 as a physical education teacher in Mankato. She always believed that physical education was a key factor for children to reach their full potential. In 1974, Jo became involved with a landmark piece of legislation that guaranteed all children, including those with disabilities, receive a free and appropriate public education in every state. This propelled Jo into her next position as the Assistant Director of Special Education at the Minnesota Dept. of Education, where she focused on the implementation of these newly enacted federal laws. It was about this time that she began her involvement with A Chance To Grow. Over the next 20 years, Jo generously volunteered her time and talents to help improve ACTG’s financial stability, leadership structure, and outpatient procedures.
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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.”
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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 Closed

A 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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Growing Times - April '23

4/18/2023

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Click here to download a PDF version of the Spring Newsletter.

The Best Kept Secret

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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  
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Thank you OTs!

We are so grateful for all the amazing, life-changing work that our OTs do. Each and every day they help their clients gain independence to reach their full potential. Thank you to all the OTs for your dedicated service!
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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.
S.M.A.R.T. Workshops
  • June 27-29, 2023
  • July 18-20, 2023
  • October 24-26, 2023
  • February 27-29, 2024
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops
  • June 20-22, 2023
  • July 11-13, 2023
  • November 7-9, 2023
  • March 5-7, 2024
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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

Take advantage of summer break and complete our 20-session Advanced-Brain Summer Intensive in 6-10 weeks! 

Combining in-clinic Neurofeedback with optional at-home Audio-Visual Entrainment, this intensive allows you to train up to 3 times per week with flexible scheduling to see positive results faster!
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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!

Neuro Integrative Intensives available This summer!

The Neuro Integrative 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. Space is filling up, visit our Summer Programs page and complete a Program Inquiry to get started!
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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.
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. The cost for the course is $576.

To learn more or register for either course, visit www.masgutovamethod.com/events. For all other questions, please call (612) 706-5553.
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Minnesota Autism Conference: April 26-28

A Chance To Grow is excited to be sponsoring & exhibiting at the 28th Annual Minnesota Autism Conference at the Marriot Minneapolis Airport Hotel in Bloomington. The event runs April 26-28 and will have keynote speakers and breakout sessions featuring experts, educators, caregivers, parents and support professionals highlighting ways to connect, collaborate, educate and advocate for the Autism community. Registration is still open. For more information or to sign up for the conference, please visit the Autism Society of Minnesota’s website.
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2023 Race for the Children is Back!

The 32nd Running of the Race for the Children event will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. Event details, sponsorship, auction donation and registration information can now be found on our Race for the Children page. Proceeds from the event support the essential programs and services of A Chance To Grow. Contact us at (612) 789-1236 to learn more!
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Turnquist Awarded Revitalization Grant

The Turnquist Child Enrichment Center has been awarded a Facilities Revitalization Grant from First Children’s Finance and the Minnesota Department of Human Services! The $15,000 grant will help us make our child care space safer and more welcoming for our littlest clients and their families. Thank you to First Children’s Finance and Minnesota DHS. We are very grateful for your support!
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Garden of Hope Launches July 1

ACTG is launching a new fundraising initiative, called The Garden of Hope, for those who want to provide ongoing support. You can ensure we have the resources to sustain operations and continue our legacy of innovation by making small monthly donations. Enrollment opens on July 1, 2023, and members receive special perks! Details can be found on our website at our Garden of Hope page!
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Employment Openings

A Chance To Grow is hiring!
  • Clinical Services is seeking a FT Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Turnquist Child Enrichment Center is seeking a FT Infant Assistant Teacher/Aide
  • Development team is seeking a Summer Intern to help with events
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To learn more about each position, or to apply, please visit our Employment page.
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Growing Times - Jan. '23

1/17/2023

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Click here to download a PDF version of our Winter Newsletter!

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.
These parents, many of whom are still teenagers, are faced with countless obstacles that prevent them, and their children, from reaching their full potential. We understand their struggle and have implemented initiatives like our Teen Parent Transportation Program and free food pantry to help them establish a solid foundation on which to build their lives. But our services extend even further, beyond any other childcare program in the Twin Cities, by providing our integrated Clinical Services to each child in our Turnquist family. >> Continue Reading
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Vision Clinic Accepting New Clients!

Are you or a loved one struggling to see clearly? Do you need an annual checkup? Then come SEE us! We offer  screenings and therapies to meet the whole family’s eye care needs. Our friendly optometric team is dedicated to helping individuals of all ages obtain optimal vision through custom treatment plans. Whether it’s glasses, contacts, preventative eye care or disease management, our Clinic and OptomEYES Vision Therapy services are here to help you SEE your full potential!
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Scheduling Request

'23 S.M.A.R.T. Workshops Begin Next Month

The first S.M.A.R.T. Workshops of 2023 begin in February! 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!

Register today! 
  • S.M.A.R.T. Workshop
    ​February 21-23, 2023
  • ​S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshop
    February 28-March 2, 2023​
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​​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.
Special thanks to the Mardag Foundation, who recently awarded ACTG $25,000 to expand the program to the middle and northern regions of Minnesota. Additionally, we want to thank the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation for their steadfast support of this project, as well as the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, the Northland Foundation, and the Initiative Foundation for helping to cover participant costs for 100 new providers across the state.
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New Year, New Focus with Neurofeedback Brain Training

​Happy New Year! Do you have a lot of resolutions you hoping to achieve in 2023? Feeling overwhelmed or stressed by it all?
​We can help!


A Chance To Grow's Neurofeedback Brain Training is a great way to stay calm and focused all year long. Non-linear dynamical Neurofeedback is a holistic tool that trains the brain to become more resilient, helping clients feel more relaxed and focused while often improving sleep. It allows individuals to become more aware of their body's natural rhythms, helping mind and body to reach a state of optimal regulation. Learn more!
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Free Consultation Request

MNRI Courses Return to ACTG this Spring!

A Chance To Grow will be hosting two Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) courses this spring at its facility in Northeast Minneapolis. 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. Cost is $756.
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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.

Thank you, Edith!

Last month, we said goodbye to a long-time member of our ACTG family, Edith Lockhart. For more than 18 years, she served in our Home-Based Services department, helping hundreds of families receive the care and support they needed to achieve independence.
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“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!

A Chance To Grow is excited to announce we will be holding our 32nd Running of the Race for the Children event on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. Event details, sponsorship and registration information will be shared later this year. Proceeds from the event support the essential programs and services of A Chance To Grow. Contact us at (612) 789-1236 to learn more!
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Learn More!

28th Annual MN Autism Conference

A Chance To Grow will be a sponsor and exhibitor at the 28th Annual Minnesota Autism Conference on April 26-28, 2023 at the Marriott Minneapolis Airport Hotel. The conference will have keynote speakers and breakout sessions featuring experts, educators, caregivers, parents and direct support professionals in an effort to connect, collaborate, educate and advocate for the Austim community. More event details and registration information can be found at www.ausm.org/events/state-autism-conference. ​
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Sheet Metal Connectors, Inc. Helps Turnquist Families!

Over the years, our friends at Sheet Metal Connectors, Inc. have made many generous contributions in support of A Chance To Grow’s mission. Recently, they donated $2,000 worth of gift cards to the 40 families at our Turnquist Child Enrichment Center, with each family receiving $50 to help them through the holidays. Thank you Sheet Metal Connectors for your steadfast support of the families we serve, we are truly grateful!
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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.
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Growing Times - Oct. '22

10/10/2022

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Click here to download a PDF version of our Fall Newsletter!

The CranioSacral Connection

At 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.
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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

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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!
S.M.A.R.T. Workshops​
  • ​February 21-23, 2023​
​S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops
  • November 1-3, 2022
  • February 28 - March 2, 2023​

​All workshops will be held in Minneapolis, MN unless otherwise noted. Register two weeks in advance and save $25!
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New Audiology Equipment

PictureDr. 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

Train your brain from the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule with a Neurofeedback Rental Unit. Our personal neurofeedback systems are easy to use and an ideal fit for those seeking an intensive program, have multiple family members who want to train, or live outside of the metro area. Neurofeedback is a drug-free, holistic approach to improve emotional regulation and focus, along with many other concerns. Visit our Neurofeedback Rentals page or email neuro@actg.org to enroll!
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Support ACTG on Give to the MAx Day!

Minnesota’s annual Give to the Max Day is on Thursday, November 17, 2022! For 24 hours, donations made to Minnesota nonprofits will provide opportunities for those organizations to win bonus funding! A $5 donation could turn into thousands! 
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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!
We are so grateful for your continued support of our organization and mission. Your generosity helps us to 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 (despite the weather!) and we can’t wait to do it again next year! To learn more about A Chance To Grow’s events, including sponsorship and partner opportunities, please visit our Events page. ​

New Food Pantry for Turnquist Families

A 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! 
​"We are excited to be able to provide our families with a variety of food options as prices increase and availability of nutritional food keeps decreasing. We hope our small room will make a huge difference!" said Turnquist Director, Elizabeth Ruzek.

The pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 - 10 am and from 3 - 5 pm.

School-Based Services

Learn More!
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, contact us by calling (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 with a variety of physical, mental, behavioral and emotional needs. 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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Learn More!
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Growing Times - July '22

7/13/2022

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Click here to download a PDF version of the Spring Newsletter

Seeing The Invisible Problem

For 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.
This became a problem in school. He had no trouble learning to read, he could understand what he read, but the actual act of reading was exhausting. As he grew older, and school required more extensive reading of longer and more complicated texts, he would get so tired while working on assignments, he’d want to go to sleep. He tried to compensate by reading at his own pace, but that only worked some of the time, he’d still get tired. Reading for school became stressful and frustrating, so much so that he’d want to give up.

> Click here to continue reading
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Join us for a Day at the Races!

The 31st Running of the Race for the Children returns on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. ​
Register
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.
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Space is Available for 2022 S.M.A.R.T. Summer Workshops!

The 2022 Summer S.M.A.R.T. Workshops are in full swing! 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!
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S.M.A.R.T. Workshops
  • August 16-18, 2022 (Wausau, WI)
  • October 25-27, 2022
  • February 21-23, 2023
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops
  • 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!

MNRI NeuroTactile Integration Course: October 29-30

A 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. 
The course explores the role NeuroTactile Integration plays in establishing a foundation for motor, communication & cognitive development, and emotional & behavioral regulation. Professionals, parents and caregivers interested in learning more about MNRI are encouraged to attend. Cost is $495. For additional course information or to register, please visit www.masgutovamethod.com/events. Questions? Call (612) 706-5553.
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Turnquist Child Enrichment Center Awarded Multiple Grants

The 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!
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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.

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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

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, please visit 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 pricing and questions, please contact (612) 789-1236 or email neuro@actg.org​.
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Advanced-Brain Wellness Program:
​AVE Brain Training

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!
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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.
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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.
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Growing Times - April '22

4/12/2022

0 Comments

 
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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.”
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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

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.
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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
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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.
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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.

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!
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Growing Times - January '22

1/19/2022

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Meet our partner in
the somali community

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..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


AVe Brain Training for
improved relationships

​Thursday, February 10  |  10 am - 11:30 am

Register
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!
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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
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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!
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Need Help Caring for a
Loved One with Special Needs?

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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.
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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

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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!
  • 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!
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Growing Times - October '21

10/6/2021

0 Comments

 
Click here to download a PDF version of the ACTG Fall Newsletter

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
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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:
  • Quick appointments with minimal wait times
  • Exams and assessments for the whole family
  • Preventative eye care and developmental visual testing
  • Referrals and recommendations for continued treatment
  • Most insurance plans are accepted
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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!
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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.
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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!
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2021 HOLIDAY GIFT AUCTION
OPENS: NOVEMBER 26, 2021 AT 12:15 AM  |  CLOSES: DECEMBER 5, 2021 AT 11:45 PM

Register for auction
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.
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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!

featured items:

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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.
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GROWING TIMES - JULY '21

7/12/2021

0 Comments

 

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.
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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
Click here to download a PDF version of our 2021 Summer Newsletter

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!
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Current Jackpot Total: $2,035!

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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.
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Register
Seating is limited, ​so register ​today!

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
  • October 26-28, 2021
  • February 22-24, 2022
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops
  • ​​October 19-21, 2021
  • March 1-3, 2022
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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!

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
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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

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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

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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.

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Growing Times - April '21

4/27/2021

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Click here to download a PDF version of our Spring 2021 Newsletter

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.
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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

Vision Clinic:
Now Accepting Most Insurances

ACTG’s Vision Clinic now accepts most health insurance plans, including:
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Hennepin Health
  • HealthPartners
  • Medica, Medicare
  • PreferredOne
  • Tricare
  • Ucare
  • United Health Care
  • MN DHS Health Care Programs
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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!
S.M.A.R.T. Workshops
- June 22-24, 2021
- July 20-22, 2021
- October 26-28, 2021
- February 22-24, 2022
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshops
- June 15-17, 2021

- July 13-15, 2021
- October 19-21, 2021
- March 1-3, 2022
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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!

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.
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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!
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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. ​
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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.

Space Available in our child care
Schedule a Tour Today!

The Turnquist Child Enrichment Center currently has space in our infant and preschool rooms.
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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!
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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!
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    Authors

    Ean Koerner
    Marketing Specialist
    ean.koerner@actg.org

    Vicky Stein
    Director of Development
    ​victoria.stein@actg.org

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Our Mission is to promote the maximum development of the whole child and adult through innovative, individualized and comprehensive brain-centered programs and services.
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(612) 789-1236 / actg@actg.org

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