[Noozhawk’s note: First in a series sponsored by the Hutton Parker Foundation.]
Thousands of local children are communicating more clearly, thanks to an organization that has been quietly, yet effectively, serving the greater Santa Barbara community for more than three decades.
Santa Barbara RiteCare Childhood Language Center (SB RiteCare) is a philanthropy of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry that offers free speech and language therapy, as well as reading and social skills support, to preschoolers through sixth-graders.
Thanks to support from the California Scottish Rite Foundation, SB RiteCare is able to offer all services, including individualized therapy with credentialed and experienced therapists, at no charge to families.
This is especially beneficial to some of Santa Barbara County’s underserved children, who often go undiagnosed or without resources for proper treatment.
It’s an audience that SB RiteCare would like to connect with even more.
“I absolutely could not afford this service for my child if I had to pay myself,” said Lindsay, who happened to go through the same program when she was younger.
Her 4-year-old son, Max, has now been enrolled in private sessions for about two months. Lindsay said it was clear he needed therapy because she had a hard time understanding him.
“We support children in the Santa Barbara communities, and beyond, by providing outstanding therapeutic services to ensure that they have the communication skills necessary for success in all areas of life — academic, social and vocational,” Julie DeAngelis, a speech pathologist and the center’s director, told Noozhawk.
More than 100 students per year reap the benefits of SB RiteCare’s four programs: private therapy, Brain Lab, Camp Chit Chat and Super Brains.
Private speech therapy is at the core of the organization’s services and is offered to preschool-aged children who experience delays with speech and/or language development.
Children meet weekly for 50-minute sessions with DeAngelis or Summer Calvert, program director and speech pathologist, who present engaging materials that help refine language skills.
Parents are encouraged to observe these sessions, enabling them to reinforce the work at home and assist with home assignments.
“The parent participation is really a differentiating factor for our organization,” DeAngelis said. “We believe that a team approach ensures carry-over skills and maintains a momentum of progress.”
Another program offered at the center is Brain Lab, a software-based curriculum for second- through sixth-graders who are not reading at grade level.
Camp Chit Chat provides a continuance of therapy during the summer, engaging preschool-aged children in small group settings that are socially interactive and fun.
“We have observed kids making friends for the first time through Camp Chit Chat,” Calvert explained. “Some of our students are on the spectrum and this outlet allows them to connect with peers in a safe and encouraging environment.”
Lindsay can attest to the value of the program.
“Max made his best friend at therapy,” she said. “Every day he asks if today is a speech day so he can see his new friend.”
Super Brains is another service, specializing in social skill development for kindergarten through first grade utilizing the Social Thinking curriculum, and targeting self-awareness skills in a group setting.
With four robust programs and just two full-time speech language pathologists, Calvert and DeAngelis are busy! In addition to working with children, both therapists also handle fundraising, assist with grant writing and oversee administrative duties.
The Christmas miracle they are hoping for this year is funding to hire another skilled, licensed and, preferably, bilingual speech pathologist to join their team. They agreed that even part-time help is welcome.
“An additional full-time therapist would allow us to see another 25 students,” said Calvert, who noted that the center’s wait list, which is capped at 50, is currently 25 students deep, a perfect match.
“There are not a lot of private speech language pathologists in town,” DeAngelis noted. “Or there are some but they don’t always accept insurance.”
While public schools do provide speech therapists, they have stricter eligibility requirements and a different delivery model, which means that not all students qualify or get the help they need.
“SB RiteCare is unique in its range of services, all offered in a private setting and with highly individualized attention,” DeAngelis said.
The setting, located on the fourth floor of the expansive Santa Barbara Masonic Center at 16 E. Carrillo St. downtown, is impressive. There are small spaces for individual therapy, a designated area for Brain Lab, and an inviting space large enough for kids to run through an obstacle course themed to their specific needs.
“We make the learning fun so the kids don’t even realize that they are working,” said Calvert, who incorporates books, toys and games into the lessons. “And they love their take-home packets of home assignments!”
“Max absolutely loves going there,” agreed Lindsay. “He adores playing with Julie, and the SB RiteCare team have been a tremendous support to me.
“Max can be a handful, and he has experienced stress and family turmoil,” she added. “While his speech is slowly improving, SB RiteCare helps with so much more beyond language proficiency. It’s been a blessing.”
The nonprofit SB RiteCare relies on private donations and grants from community foundations so that no child is ever turned away based on financial need. Click here for more information about SB RiteCare. Click here to make an online donation.
— Ann Pieramici is a Noozhawk contributing writer. She can be reached at news@noozhawk.com.