July 2023
Contact: James Santana, jsantana@firstchildrenservices.com
First Children Services Announces Collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
CHERRY HILL, NJ. – First Children Services is excited to announce an agreement with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to offer diagnostic evaluations to families. Evaluations will begin on a once-a-month basis starting in June 2023 and will increase to twice per month in 2024.
The program will provide an additional resource to families seeking a diagnostic evaluation by bringing highly skilled developmental pediatricians and nurse practitioners from one of the best hospitals in the world to our STRIVE Center, an interdisciplinary continuum of care to diagnose, treat and achieve positive outcomes for children with autism and their families.
“Early diagnosis and treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is imperative to achieving positive outcomes,” says First Children Services CEO, Matt Hess. “Our program with CHOP allows us to further offer access to world-class clinicians, providing critical diagnostic services to children and their families throughout NJ and PA.”
First Children will continue to increase ABA Therapy services to meet the needs of families throughout our service area across New Jersey and neighboring counties. Early diagnosis in children with autism is crucial and can lead to families receiving appropriate services and support, as well as access to better treatment options and outcomes.
“Our goal is promoting growth and development for children with ASD,” said Kaitlin McHenry, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at CHOP. “Programs with community partners such as First Children Services enable us to develop the intervention plans that will make sure children receive early and accurate diagnoses.”
“Collaborating with one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals provides our clinicians with the opportunity to work with the best developmental pediatricians in the world,” says First Children Services Director of Mental Health Services, Caitlin Summers-Motta. “This collaboration between First Children Services and CHOP can help bridge the gap between diagnosis and starting intervention.”
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About First Children Services
At First Children Services, we provide therapeutic and behavioral support services, ABA therapy, counseling and more to touch the lives of children and families throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We have a dedicated workforce of teachers, therapists & clinicians, paraprofessionals, and support staff and work with 80+ school districts to provide the best quality of care for the exceptional children we serve. Learn more about First Children Services at firstchildrenservices.com.
