Beyond Picasso! Art Therapy in an inclusive summer camp at the Early Childhood Education Center

Dearborn, MI - The Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and Beaumont’s Center for Exceptional Families (CEF) program hosted their second annual Inclusive Art Camp titled “Beyond Picasso!  Integrating Art Therapy into Summer Camp”. 

This camp was for children aged 4-6 who attended from July 11 through July 22, 2016.  The purpose of this inclusive camp program was to reach out to children with special needs who were not part of the regular school session and integrate them into a classroom with their typically developing peers.  Seong Hong, faculty director of Early Childhood Center mentioned that this camp is unique. "There are many summer camp programs around", said Dr. Hong, "however, the access to quality summer camp programs that are designed to address the inclusive experience for both children with and without special needs are rare".

Ten children enrolled in the camp this year, 6 with special needs and 4 were typically developing. The camp was staffed by early childhood educators, an art studio teacher, a speech language therapist and an occupational therapist.  The curriculum was designed by ECEC teachers with assistance from CEF staff to set goals for the children with special needs.  The teachers were able to integrate the goals for the children into the regular day at camp.

Catherine Stone, an Early Childhood Educator who has been a lead teacher at ECEC for 9 years and organizer of the camp for the second year, referred to how inspirational is this project. "I love participating in this camp because it's a great example of how children of all backgrounds and abilities can come together and work collaboratively without noticing or caring about each others differences", she said, "The children worked so hard together this year on a collaborative mural and each child, no matter their ability, played an important role in the creation of that mural.  It was inspiring to see the friendships between children form so quickly."

A culminating event was held the last day of camp at ECEC to showcase their efforts throughout the camp.  Parents, family members, therapists, ECEC faculty and the Dean of CEHHS, Janine Janosky, along with Dr. Susan Youngs and Michelle Teklinski from CEF celebrated the children’s camp success.  The children showcased art they had worked on individually as well as the collaborative mural that will be hung at the ECEC/CEF hallway.

"I really liked that they had a very diverse group of children involved" and "I really liked that my daughter was in an environment she loved and was excited to come in each and every day" were some of the comments that could be heard from parents who attended the event.

 

Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity (CDSE) partners with Samaritan Center

by The Reporter

As a part of its mission to eliminate disparities and promote equity in education and health, the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS), through its Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity (CDSE), recently partnered with Samaritan Center.

Located in East Detroit, Samaritan Center is a one-stop resource location that serves more than 1,500 southeastern Michigan residents daily and houses more than 80 community services.

Through the partnership, CDSE evaluated Samaritan Center services with hopes of expanding the service menu, improving their community outreach and highlighting the center as a model for other communities.

“Twenty percent of the people went to four or more partner organizations. That tells you they are meeting their mission of being a one-stop resource,” said Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity Program Manager Jennifer Teller, who conducted the work with CEHHS Dean Janine Janosky, Associate Dean Laura Reynolds and Public Ally Amanda Ford. “And visitors had thoughtful ideas of what else they’d like to see at the Center and were happy to share them. For example, one young man said the Samaritan Center is a safe place in a challenged neighborhood and suggested a park for children.”

Earlier this month, the team presented their findings to the Samaritan Center. Teller said the partnership was a success and the CDSE will continue to seek out and work with community organizations.

 

Jennifer Teller, program manager in CEHHS and
Br. Francis Boylan, CSC pose with children at the
Samaritan Center (Photo by Kathleen Malicke)

“It was satisfying to see that the Samaritan Center visitors and partners were all on the same page. They were appreciative of our work,” she said. “Research is an important endeavor as many people are out there helping others in need. We worked hard to assist them in fulfilling their mission by determining the impact of the Samaritan Center.”

Samaritan Center Executive Director Mark Owens said, “Samarian Center has been fortunate to find a partner with University of Michigan-Dearborn’s College of Education, Health, and Human Services to work with us to better serve the thousands of Detroit residents who visit Samaritan Center and 87 partner agencies. The professionalism, the attention to detail and responses to our questions have been excellent and we look forward to a long-term relationship.”

About the Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity

The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) formed the Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity in 2015 in order to continue CEHHS’ emphasis on scholarship, diverse health and human services experiences, and effective instructional and leadership practice. The Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity aims to reduce disparities for a movement to equity in education, health, and human services focused upon policies, systems, and environments. To learn more about the Center visit umdearborn.edu/cehhs/cehhs_cdse.

American Poets: An Exhibition by Joshua W. Johnson

 The Curriculum Knowledge Center (CKC) in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services is pleased to exhibit two portraits by Detroit artist, Joshua W. Johnson, from July 25 – December 20, 2016.  The portraits are part of Johnson’s series on African American poets and authors.

Gwendolyn Brooks
by Joshua Johnson
Pencil and charcoal on paper

A graduate of the Douglass Academy for Young Men, Johnson is currently studying visual arts education at Madonna University.  Specializing in pencil and charcoal drawings, his primary subject is the human figure.  Johnson’s work has been exhibited in the University of Michigan’s Detroit Center, the People Mover, and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Joshua W. Johnson
Portrait artist

“It is with honor and pride that the Curriculum Knowledge Center exhibits these portraits by talented artist, Joshua W. Johnson.  These prominent Black poets have left a mark on the literary world forever.  They helped capture the voice of a nation, and they have inspired generations,” said Paul Bielich, Instructional Learning Manager. 

The CKC would like to thank Dr. Julie Anne Taylor for helping coordinate this exhibition.  A professor in the Department of Education, Taylor is a volunteer at the Douglass Academy for Young Men.

Paul Bieliech, Instructional Learning Manager of
the CKC, with Johnson

UM-Dearborn partners with five Michigan universities to improve the health of children with disabilities

The University of Michigan-Dearborn is one of six Michigan universities partnered on a $2.2 million, five-year grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration for the project “Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) Maternal Child Health (MCH) Training Program,” or MI-LEND. The purpose of MI-LEND is to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities in Michigan by training individuals from diverse disciplines to assume leadership roles in their respective fields and work across disciplines.

MI-LEND is a consortium of six universities including University of Michigan-Dearborn, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University and Central Michigan University; all six universities will contribute faculty and trainees. The Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) at Wayne State leads the consortium with Sharon Milberger, Ph.D., director of DDI, serving as the MI-LEND program director. Jane Turner, M.D., pediatrician and professor at Michigan State University, is co-director.

 

Dean Janine Janosky

The lead at University of Michigan-Dearborn is Janine Janosky, PhD, Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. “We at the College of Education, Health, and Human Services  at UM-Deaborn are excited to collaborate with our 5 Michigan state universities in this consortium.”, said Dean Janosky. “Through the consortium, we are working together to expand graduate-level training for working in the fields of neurodevelopment disabilities and autism.  The graduates of our programs will positively impact the children they are serving as well as work to improve the systems of care for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and autism."

MI-LEND leaders will work in collaboration with members of Michigan’s Title V program, including Children’s Special Health Care Services, the governor’s Autism Council, the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and other key statewide disability/advocacy organizations.

MI-LEND will address the complex needs of those with autism and other disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, by increasing the number of graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students prepared to address their needs. In addition, it will increase the number of providers available to diagnose and treat infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities. An important component of MI-LEND is participation of family members and individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities in developing the curriculum and working with trainees to ensure a family-centered approach to care at all levels.

“Expanding the educational opportunities related to the treatment of autism and other developmental disabilities for over 181,800 medical and professional students and physicians will help improve the quality of care for these individuals and increase their ability to have self-determined independent lives,” said Lt. Gov. Brian Calley. “I am proud to see Michigan’s universities working together on advancements in this area.”

To learn more about the MI-LEND program, contact dean Janine Janosky at jjanosky@umich.edu

ACTS Kicks Off at UM-Dearborn CEHHS

DEARBORN, MI - The College of Education, Health, and Human Services is pleased to announce the inaugural talk of the Autism Communication and Training Series (ACTS), "Applied Behavior Analysis: First Steps for Caregivers and Practitioners".

This session will be held on July 13, 2016. Come and learn more about the basics of ABA and get information about the new Registered Behavior Technician training program.  There will also be on-site registrations for future training sections.

What: Inaugural talk of Autism Communication and Training Series

Who: UM-Dearborn, College of Education, Health, and Human Services

Where: Fairlane Center North, Quad E.  19000 Hubbard Drive, Dearborn, MI

When: July 13, 2016 / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The informational session is free, and refreshments will be provided.

REGISTER NOW

For more information, visit the Registered Behavior Technician page to learn more about the training program and future training dates.

Appointments of CEHHS Directors

Dean Janine Janosky and the College of Education, Health, and Human Services is pleased to announce the following administrative reappointments, effective as of 1 July 2016.

Martha Adler, Ph.D.
 

Dr. Adler has been reappointed for a second term of two years as the Director of Field Placement for the College of Education, Health, and Human Services.  This office handles all field placements for the college.

Bonnie Beyer, Ed.D. 

Dr. Beyer has been re-appointed for another year as Co-Director of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)  program. The program offers concentration areas in educational leadership, curriculum and practice, and metropolitan education. Dr. Beyer's specialties are in educational leadership and educational leadership certification.

Stein Brunvand, Ph.D.
 

Dr. Brunvand, has been reappointed for a second term of two years as the Director of Master’s Degree Programs for the College of Education, Health, and Human Services.  This position oversees admissions, advising, marketing and program development of all Master’s degrees for the college.

Christopher Burke, Ph.D.

Dr. Burke has been re-appointed for another year as Co-Director of the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)  program. The program offers concentration areas in educational leadership, curriculum and practice, and metropolitan education. In the next year the program is looking forward to developing a new concentration in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Susan Everett, Ph.D.
 

Dr. Everett, has been reappointed for a three year term as Chair of the Department of Education. In the next term, two areas of focus for the department will include strategic planning and national accreditation.




Through the leadership of Drs. Adler, Beyer, Brunvand, Burke, and Everett there has been much growth in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, success for our students, and metropolitan impact for our region. We congratulate and show appreciation to these dedicated faculty members for their contributions to the college.