First Step program at Rotary Club of Scenic 7

First Step’s development director Nancy Baxter talked about the Ann and Nick Tillman Project with members of the Rotary Club of Scenic 7 on Thursday at noon.
Baxter and her husband, Lynn, moved to Hot Springs 11 years ago when Lynn became the senior pastor at Center Fork Baptist Church. She has been with First Step for five years.
The Tillmans were killed in an airplane crash in 2008. One of their surviving children, a daughter suffered from autism and was a client at First Step. To honor the Tillmans the Walk for Children, had its kick off on May 3 and continues through September 2.
Walkers get pledges and attempt to walk 100 miles between May 3 and September 2 to benefit children with sensory needs, like the Tillmans’ daughter.
Registration is available at the First Step Development Office, 1801 Central Ave., Ste. B, Hot Springs, AR 71901.
Baxter said First Step offers children and adults with developmental delays educational and therapeutic services at seven locations throughout the state, serving 27 counties, and in homes for those unable to travel. The outreach centers are in Hot Springs, Malvern, Fordyce, Glenwood, Sparkman, Mt. Ida and Hamburg.
The clients have developmental delays ranging from minor setbacks to severe problems. First Step helps each person develop the skills and behavior necessary to function in society. It prepares children to be mainstreamed in schools. It prepares adults to be as self-sufficient as possible.
Once a client moves on in society, First Step services are no longer needed.
To enroll in First Step a physician must recommend the program. Next the First Step staff evaluates the person and advises a course of action for the best results. A road map for success.
Services are offered for in home therapy for the first two years. Pre-school on campus is provides for children three and over. First Step also teaches school age children on campus that are unable to be mainstreamed.
Some of the therapies offered by First Step include physical, occupational and speech-language. Supported living services are provided for children and adults that qualify including personal care, integrated support and case management.
Specific to adults there is a day program, a group home program and supported employment enabling adults to find work with job skills learned at First Step.
Programs like First Step have come so far to help the challenged members of our society. My cousin’s daughter is now 25. She was born in suburban New Orleans. It was discovered she was deaf by the time she was nine months old. Unlike here in Arkansas there were no programs at all for children under three. We had to learn how to communicate with Sarah through a mail order program teaching all of us the basics in non-verbal communication. First Step has therapists available to teach those skills and so much more.
If you like to walk, what a wonderful dull purpose to walk for your health and to assist others at First Step. Call 501-624-6468 for more information on the Tillman Project or on First Step.
The Rotary Club of Scenic 7 meets every Thursday at noon at the Boys and Girls Club. Bring a brown bag lunch at 11:30 for lunch fellowship before the meeting.