February 9,2010
Dear Friends:
As some of you may have already heard - we are celebrating!
The past few weeks had not only brought a new year and a new decade to our Clinic, but had also started its 30th year of services to unique learners, their families and agencies working with them in Wisconsin, the Midwest, around the U.S.A and around the world!!!
During the past 30 years, we have been blessed and fortunate to serve over 5,000 children, adolescents and adults with wonderful gifts, talents and abilities, assist them to remove barriers to their pursuit of education, employment and independence and lessen the impact of those upon major life functions.
As we leaf over the many heart-felt stories told by stored files dating back to 1980, realizing that we have undoubtedly gotten older, we remain committed to broaden and strengthen the community of individuals, families, educators and clinicians who share our goals!
Founded in 1980 by Nira Scherz-Busch, M.S. and Diana L. Sauter, Ph.D., Child & Family Psychological Services Clinic staff has included a number of clinicians and has worked with numerous agencies advocating for and serving unique learners. For the past 15 years, our clinical staff has consisted of Nira Scherz-Busch, M.S. and Dennis Christoffersen, Psy.D. We continue to have the invaluable assistance of Karen O’Connell, our transcriptionist, Kim Schutt-Chardon, our exceptional Billing Consultant/ Information Processing specialist and, last but definitely not least, William J. Busch (also known as “Bill” and as Nira’s husband, who had retired from his Social Work, AODA and Probation/Parole work with Wisconsin Department of Corrections only to assist his wife and the Clinic).
The Clinic’s specialties continue to include working with unique learners: Gifted/Talented learners as well as children, adolescents and adults who have abilities, talents and gifts often masked by Developmental Learning Disorders (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, Nonverbal Learning Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome/ High Functioning Autism, Traumatic Brian Injury etc.).
As you know, our Clinic staff continues to provide high quality assessment, diagnosis, disability documentation, out-patient mental health therapy and counseling, advocacy, referral and information services.
Child & Family Psychological Services continues to be a privately-owned, WI State Certified Mental Health facility. While our assessment and advocacy have been commended for their high quality and thorough nature, and have helped numerous members of our community to soar and achieve life goals, we also recognize the difficulties the economy had placed upon the entire country and our prospective clients. Thus, during the past few economically difficult years, we have offered substantial discounts, free services, bartering and other opportunities to clients in need (approximately $20,000.00 annually during the past 3-4 years). We also started offering modified, shorter assessments and treatment, and accept third-party payments, including governmental programs such as Medical Assistance, Badger Care, etc. We continue to tailor our hours of service to our clients’ needs, including Saturdays (and sometimes Sundays), as necessary.
As we have “aged”, we are again “networking” , acquainting ourselves with new providers (physicians. mental health, educational and other professionals), re-visiting with clients and professionals who are familiar with our services and renewing our ties with our community of friends. We are also looking for feedback, thoughts and ideas to help us grow and continue to weave stories of success and pride. For that purpose, and with the invaluable help of our gifted friends, we have created a new web site this year (please visit us at www.childandfamilypsychological.com) and the attached new brochure. We are also looking for any help, and welcome your stories, comments and thoughts.
Please feel free to contact us, by phone, e-mail, “snail mail” and/or by visiting. We wish you and yours a prosperous, healthy and peaceful new year and hope to hear from you.
With Best Wishes,
Nira Scherz-Busch, M.S.
Dennis Christoffersen, Psy.D.