Want to learn more about programs at the Olean Center? Check out "Live with Olean" every Thursday on our Facebook page with Kim Mastrofino.  Here's July 2nd's interview with Meghan Fabinski and Fatima Martins Abbott, LICSW, Clinicial Supervisor from Children's Services!

Thanks to generous grants from Dime Bank Foundation and the Nick Vuono Charity Fund, the Olean Center will continue providing music therapy in collaboration with Hands in Harmony for local participants in our Children's Service Program!  Because of Covid-19 the therapy is right now virtual--giving children the opportunity to benefit from the safety of their homes.  

Fatima Abbott, Clinical Supervisor, LICSW, who has worked with children for over 25 years found therapy extraordinarily helpful for children. She describes the benefits like this:

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       "Through the years I have seen how music has helped children in a variety of capacities. For example,
        through the use of repetitive sounds in songs, I have seen children more engaged and working 
        harder on their communication objectives.  With children who struggle with memory, I have seen how
        putting academic information into a song format has helped them recall the information. I have seen
        gains in children's fine motor skills with the use of adaptive percussive instruments such as maracas.

        Music therapy groups also help children. I have used songs to help children identify feelings and how   
        to cope with feelings of frustration and anger.  I have also incorporated music in "safe/calm down zone"

        as part of self-regulation strategies. I have used musical activities to assist children with social skills
       building such as practicing greeting, tum taking, eye contact, and working cooperatively with others. 

       "There is no doubt that music affects our mood, and I love using it to get the outcomes I am looking
        for in the children we service.  Also, what is truly amazing about music therapy is that it is fun for
        children. Therefore, they are working on the goals and objectives without realizing they are working on            them. With this kind of buy-in from children, success is inevitable."

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Even the Coronavirus can't take away our smiles.  We followed the Governor's directives and closed the Center in late March for everyone's safety, but we have been staying in touch with participants and families and ensuring they have what they need.  Many participants and their families have welcomed home visits, some have been communicating through Telehealth, and some are getting together to take a hike, getting take-out and having a picnic in the park...we are all getting so creative!  And, some Napatree participants deemed "essential workers" have been on the job--supported by our staff to ensure they are safe and doing well.  Check out these recent pictures! We'll be adding more soon!