December 2023

Summit CEO Stephen Anderson says farewell

Dear Friends,

For 28 years, it has been my honor to lead this exceptional organization so filled with heart, purpose, and talent. On January 1, I’ll turn over the reins to Chief Financial Officer Lisa Foti, who will become CEO, and Vice President Amy Jablonski, who will serve as President. Both of these dedicated women are true champions for the individuals we serve.

When I moved to Buffalo in 1995, the landscape of autism services looked very different. Students with obvious signs of autism weren’t being diagnosed and treatment options were extremely limited. Early in my career at the May Institute in Boston, I realized the importance of intensive therapy at a young age. It’s the key to helping children with autism achieve their immense potential. Fortunately, a handful of school administrators were willing to listen about the power of early intensive intervention. The Early Autism Program was born. Today, Summit has a range of educational, community integration, and behavioral health programs that allow people to live their best life.

Parents have often expressed how much Summit means to them and the hope it represents for their child’s future. Author Brene Brown said it best: “Hope is a function of struggle—we develop hope not during the easy or comfortable times, but through adversity and discomfort.”

Our families are all too familiar with adversity. But instead of collapsing under the weight of it, they rise to the occasion. Their strength is my motivation. It’s why I committed myself to providing the most effective treatment. When you take the time to understand someone’s unique needs and use proven methods, a brighter future can be a reality. I’ve seen it again and again. At Summit, even individuals with the most significant challenges can make life-changing progress.

Of course, no CEO accomplishes anything alone. I need to acknowledge the many people who’ve made my job so rewarding.

To our donors: You help people move mountains. Through your generosity, we provide the highly personalized support children and adults deserve. I can’t thank you enough.

To our board members: You ask the critical questions that must be asked, and you embrace new ways to make a difference in the community. Thank you for showcasing how much Summit means to you.  

To our employees: Your belief in the individuals we serve is beyond measure. Few people could do the work you do with such compassion, enthusiasm, and unparalleled devotion. I hope you are proud of the impact you have each and every day.

And finally, to our families: Your resilience is extraordinary. Thank you for being a fierce advocate for your child, and for trusting us to help them reach their greatest potential.

I’m incredibly proud of the work that takes place at The Summit Center. Thank you for 28 years of new milestones and breakthrough moments. Summit will continue to be a source of hope for generations to come.

Stephen R. Anderson, PhD., BCBA-D, LBA
Chief Executive Officer

Family in need of support after devastating house fire

On the morning of Nov. 24, a Summit family suffered a house fire and lost everything. They are currently without a home and have two children with autism to care for.

A collection on GoFundMe has been started to help support the family in their time of need. If you would like to make a donation, click here. All donations are greatly appreciated!

Summit partners with Buffalo State on integrated preschool classroom

On December 20, Lisa A. Foti, incoming CEO of Summit, announced a partnership with Buffalo State University to create an integrated, full-day preschool classroom for 16 students that will open on Buffalo State’s campus in January. The integrated classroom will serve 16 children with and without disabilities in the same space, addressing a shortage of inclusive preschool programs in Erie County and the city of Buffalo.

The classroom will be staffed by one general education teacher, one special education teacher, and two special education classroom assistants, who will be supervised by Mary Belile, Assistant Principal, who oversees Summit’s Early Autism Program and preschool classrooms, including three integrated classrooms with Discovery Kids Learning Center.

“We are very excited to have a presence in the city of Buffalo serving preschoolers with developmental disabilities,” said Amy L. Jablonski, Psy.D., president of The Summit Center. “Summit’s integrated program blends the best practices of early childhood education and special education so that all children can benefit.”

Buffalo State University students will play an important role in the inclusive preschool classroom, one-of-a-kind on a college campus in the region. Additionally, the education and services provided by the Child Care Center at Buffalo State are enhanced by contributions from the university's programs, including early childhood education, speech-language pathology, psychology, music education, and art education.

The benefits of integrated classrooms for both students with and without disabilities are significant and long-lasting. Students with disabilities have peer models for academic and behavior skills, as well as increased opportunities for social interactions. At a very young age, students without disabilities develop an awareness and acceptance of peers who may be pre-verbal, or who learn or behave differently.

The Child Care Center at Buffalo State, located in Buckham Hall, currently serves about 80 children. About half are children of Buffalo State faculty, staff, and students; others enrolled are from the surrounding community.

"We have an incredible center for families, with big, bright, open classrooms, and supportive staff that strive to work with each family individually, while creating an inclusive community here," said Shae Herron, executive director of the Child Care Center.

The center aims to provide quality, affordable child care in a safe, predictable environment for each child so they may develop their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical abilities. It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), an accreditation earned by only 2 percent of child-care programs in the region.

S.T.E.P.S. helps build socialization skills

Andy has been a participant at Summit's day habilitation program S.T.E.P.S. (Success Through Engagement and Positive Support) since its first location opened in 2014.

During his years with the program, Andy has grown tremendously. When he first started, Andy would self-isolate and not engage with his peers. He experienced some challenges adjusting to new protocols during the height of COVID and when the program changed locations.

Since then, Andy has worked hard with his staff to develop strategies to help him be more flexible to changes and expand his openness to his peers. Now, Andy is thriving and has developed friendships. He engages in group activities and high-fives his friends. We are so proud of you, Andy!

Bills player Dalton Kincaid supports Summit on and off the football field

On Dec. 10, Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid showed his support for the autism community by representing The Summit Center through My Cause My Cleats.

My Cause My Cleats launched in 2016 and aims to celebrate the positive impact NFL players can make in their communities by highlighting different causes. Players wear specially designed cleats supporting their cause of choice during Weeks 13 and 14 of the NFL season.

Previously, Dalton collaborated with 26 Shirts to run a t-shirt campaign at the end of November with some of the proceeds benefitting Summit. The campaign raised more than $1,700.

Summit receives $10,000 grant
from Rite Aid Healthy Futures

The Summit Center has received a $10,000 Neighborhood Grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to aid in helping children and adults reach new levels of growth and independence.

Summit joins 370 other organizations receiving a Neighborhood Grant. The grants are funded through Rite Aid’s KidCents customer round-up program.

Rite Aid Healthy Futures is a public charity that improves the lives and futures of kids in Rite Aid communities through partnerships that help build healthier, more equitable neighborhoods. Visit https://www.riteaidhealthyfutures.org/ for more information. 

Jolly Boys of Williamsville support
Summit's courtyard project

The Jolly Boys of Williamsville recently awarded Summit $5,000 for an outdoor learning space at 165 Creekside in Amherst. This space will be renovated into an accessible courtyard for our Summit Academy students to build upon motor, communication, and social skills. Once completed, the courtyard will enable students to practice important skills, nurture their physical and mental well-being, and have fun and be creative all while enjoying the outdoors.

Celebrating Summit employees
with Years of Service awards

The Summit Center recently held its Years of Service awards, celebrating milestones for employees across all departments of the organization. Years of service range from five years to 40 years. Below are a list of names and their milestones:

5 Years of Service

Laura Brann
Kevin Chapman
Amanda Culverwell
Angie Deoki
Cathy Evans
Joe Faber

Tabatha Favors
Amanda Foster

Celeste Gilliam

Maddy Jackson

Brian Karovski

Fox Munyon

Kameron Plotner

Jessica Shepherd
Kaitlin Stutz

Candace Werder

Jenn Wess

Rebekah White

10 Years of Service

Laurlen Coker

Neal DeMartin

Sue Keenan

deLacy Kennedy

Kaitlyn Kiszewski

Cornelia Mattioli

Kelsey Miller

Marlana Pernal

Katy Van Houtte

 15 Years of Service

Ashlee Bronson

Audrey Howard

John Martz

Marina Oldin

Sarah Schiske

Cheryl Singleton

Mary Zaccagnino

20 Years of Service

Dawn Cline

Traci Healy

Cindy Hulpiau

Lisa Priebe

Jennifer Reidy

Michelle Young

25 Years of Service

Michelle Garrison

Wendy Loverme

Kelly Siminski

Suzanne Tuberdyke

35 Years of Service

Betsy Tirado

40 Years of Service

Nancy Schaefer

Pictured above are award recipients from five, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 40 years of service.

Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr

Meet Becky Weber!

What is your role at Summit?
My role is occupational therapist at Summit Academy.

Describe what your day might look like.
I arrive to work early to read emails and organize myself for the day.  After team and staff meetings, I see 10 kids a day for 30-minute individual OT sessions. I work in the preschool unit, and every session looks a little different based on the student’s needs. I may be addressing sensory needs, fine motor skills, or helping the little ones learn their first classroom routines.  

What are you most proud of, personally and professionally?

Personally,  I am most proud of my family. I have been married for 25 years to my husband, Kevin. I have two children. Kiley, 23, is a teacher at Lancaster High School (she also worked at our Discovery Kids daycare location for several years). Luke, 19, is a sophomore at the University at Buffalo and works at Jada Blitz.

Professionally, I am most proud to say that I have worked as an OT at Summit for 28 years. I find working with preschoolers and establishing rapport with their parents as they begin their educational journey very rewarding. Watching each student reach a goal or milestone, no matter how big or small, is what motivates me to come to work every day. Equally as rewarding to me are the friendships I have made with my coworkers at Summit.

Where is your favorite place to eat in Western New York?

My favorite place to eat is Maizal Mexican Kitchen.

Name someplace on your bucket list.

A place on my bucket list is Switzerland.

Fact of the Month

More than 5.4 million adults in the U.S., or 2.2 percent of the U.S. population, are on the autism spectrum. Prevalence of autism in the United States is estimated at 1 in 36 births. (CDC, 2023)

Our Mission
Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social and behavioral challenges.

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