March 2024

The Summit Center looks to a bright future with new CEO and President at the helm

During the last 50 years, The Summit Center has seen an outstanding amount of growth and has served thousands of children and adults across Western New York. New CEO Lisa A. Foti, CPA, and President Amy Jablonski, Psy.D., BCBA, will continue to advance Summit’s mission, ensuring a successful future for the individuals and families Summit supports.

Since stepping into their new roles, Lisa and Amy led the monumental expansion of Summit Academy’s census and opened two new school buildings.

“The past two months have been extremely busy with the closure of Autism Services and the expansion of our programs and services at Summit. We’ve welcomed more than 100 new staff and 100 new students into Summit,” Lisa said.

“I had never been a part of a such a large and comprehensive project, and it took a significant amount of time. However, I could not have been successful without Lisa and my Summit Academy senior leadership team, who all stepped up and willingly took on so many new responsibilities,” Amy said. “We accomplished a major organizational change within a period of a few months.”

Summit has grown in other areas in recent months, opening an integrated preschool classroom at Buffalo State University and adding another day habilitation location to its adult programming.

“We are excited about the growth of our agency and the opportunities that lie ahead,” Lisa shared. “Summit’s future is bright.”

On January 1, Lisa became just the third person to be appointed CEO of the agency in its 50-year history. She joined Summit in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer under Dr. Stephen Anderson, Summit’s previous CEO, and has made a lasting impact during her tenure. Lisa helped achieve critical funding for Summit’s core programs and services, assisted in the development of Summit’s intensive educational program, and has been responsible for the acquisition and development of Summit’s newest physical locations; this includes the two new schools in Amherst and Buffalo, expanding Summit’s services to seven locations throughout Western New York.

Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University at Buffalo and is a certified public accountant in New York State.

“I am honored to continue my journey with Summit as its CEO and support the agency as Amy and I usher in the next era of leadership all while building upon Steve’s impressive legacy,” Lisa said. “Steve truly embraces Summit’s mission of ‘lives made better’ and has established Summit as a leader in autism assessment and treatment in Western New York. I step into the role of CEO with an unshakable commitment to our mission and great admiration for Steve and look forward to his continued advice and counsel.

Although I grew up in the world of finance and I'm coming from the CFO role, I have developed a deep appreciation and understanding for the balance that needs to exist between program and finance. The economics now in New York State are very challenging. The state’s antiquated reimbursement model does not provide adequate resources to support quality programming. We must continue developing new revenue streams and work with our community partners to secure additional funding to continue providing these much-needed services in our area,” Lisa shared. 

At the same time, Lisa recognizes there’s a lot more than finances that go into running a successful not-for-profit agency. There are programmatic areas of the agency she still needs to wrap her arms around. However, she has a great leadership team in President Amy Jablonski and Vice President Diana Schmit. 

“We complement each other very well. Amy and Diana both bring years of program and clinical expertise and I bring the business side. Together we are ready to take Summit to new heights,” Lisa said.

On the clinical side, Amy is serving as Summit’s first-ever President. Amy is primarily responsible for the operations and management of Summit’s programs and services across four divisions: Early Intervention and Education, Adult, Community, and Behavioral Health. She brings a unique perspective to her new role, pairing her expertise in diagnosing and treating autism with her first-hand experiences as a service provider.

“My clinical background and tenure with the company allowed me to step into this role. However, the biggest benefit of having both a President and CEO is that Lisa and I can work closely together and support each other,” Amy said.

Amy joined Summit in 1999 as a post-doctoral intern after she graduated from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology with her doctorate in clinical psychology.

“I was so happy to finish graduate school to become a licensed clinical psychologist.  After working at Summit and receiving supervision I was able to also become a licensed behavior analyst. It has been amazing to find a place that valued my clinical training and allowed me to continually grow professionally,” Amy shared. “I realize that most people no longer stay at one company for an extended period of time, but I am proud to say that I have been at Summit for 24 years.”

When it comes to life away from Summit, Lisa enjoys traveling, exploring new places and spending time with her husband, Dr. Mike Malkowski, and their children, Elisabeth and Nate. Elisabeth is finishing her last year in pharmacy school at UB, and Nate is studying actuarial science at Niagara University. Most weekends you can find Lisa at the baseball diamond cheering her son on with the Niagara Purple Eagles. 

Amy enjoys spending time with her husband Ron, whom she began dating at age 15, and their three children who are currently in college. She has a strong connection to her extended family and hosts large family dinners at least once a week.  She also maintains a large plant collection and cares for two dogs and several reptiles.  Amy hopes to be able to travel to Europe in the future.

More ways to raise funds for the

2024 Autism Walk 

Donations to the Autism Walk, taking place on Saturday, May 11, are invested in the programs that make Summit so special. If you’ve already registered and started fundraising, you may be looking for additional ways to get the word out.

From April 1 through May 11, The Summit Center will sell autism acceptance pin ups for $1 each. Pin ups will be available for staff at Summit Central and our Creekside location. Businesses or organizations interested in selling pin ups can contact AutismWalk@TheSummitCenter.org or (716) 629-3423.

There are also several community-based fundraisers starting March 28 (see the upcoming events section below for more details):

• March 28 – Dine Out at Red Robin, all day, 4080 Maple Rd., Amherst
• March 30 - Team Tedzilla Raffle, 12 p.m., Momma Cow's Treat Emporium, 13119 Broadway, Alden
• April 13 – Théoden’s Fellowship Fundraiser, 2 p.m., Wheatfield Community Center, 2790 Church Rd., North Tonawanda
• April 16 – Chipotle Dining Out Night, 4 – 8 p.m., 1759 Sheridan Dr., Tonawanda
• April 30 – Rainbow Rink Skating Party, 5 -7 p.m., 101 Oliver St., North Tonawanda (costs $10 per person)

If you haven’t registered for the Autism Walk, visit SummitAutismWalk.org. Join parents, community advocates, and other supporters in celebrating autism acceptance and understanding.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Support Autism Acceptance Month
at Delta Sonic this April

Get a clean vehicle and support Autism Acceptance Month when you stop by any of Delta Sonic's 11 locations in the Buffalo area in April.

Customers will be asked if they’d like to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar both in the convenience store and in the car wash. All proceeds with benefit The Summit Center.

Thank you to Delta Sonic for the opportunity to raise critical funds and promote acceptance of autism spectrum disorder, which affects every 1 in 36 children.

Pro Tips: Dealing with change

Pro Tips provided by Claire Spangenthal, MA/SC, NCSP, BCBA, unit director at Summit Academy Enhanced.

Change is difficult and can be especially challenging for children and adults with autism who like consistency. Whether it’s plans that change last minute or life-altering changes like a big move, it can be difficult to prepare children to deal with that change.

Here are some tips for helping your child through expected and unexpected changes:

1. Introduce change early if you can.

The earlier children get used to change, the easier it will be when unexpected or big changes happen. If parents and caregivers avoid making changes to avoid problem behaviors, it will be more difficult to address changes as they get older.

Practice small changes throughout your child’s day. This could be something like changing the meal for dinner or a short-term activity like taking a walk instead of playing in the backyard.

2. Stick with your choice to make a change.

If you’re practicing making small changes in your child’s routine, stick to your changes as much as possible once you start. This will help your child learn to cope and work through change. Make it a positive experience by reassuring your child and acknowledging their feelings.

3. Plan ahead for expected changes.

If you know something major is going to change that will affect your child’s normal routine, you can be proactive. For example, you might get dinner at the same place every Wednesday. However, you have an event you need to attend on a Wednesday evening and won’t be able to get dinner from that restaurant that evening. Explain this to your child early on and offer alternatives such as going to dinner the following evening, ordering in and eating at home, or going earlier in the day.

When last minute changes do come up, acknowledge your child’s feelings by saying something like, “I know this is different and it feels strange, but we can do something else instead.” Offer alternatives, whether it’s an activity, food, a different toy, etc.

4. Handle big changes with support and reassurance.

When big life changes happen such as a family move, divorce, or the death of a loved one, it can cause difficult feelings for everyone involved. Children with autism may process this change in different ways. Acknowledge your child’s feelings and let them know you are there for them. Avoid phrases like, “It’s all right,” or, “Everything is fine,” because in that moment it’s not fine. Instead, say something like, “I see that you’re upset, I’m sad too,” or, “I know this must be really hard. It’s okay to be sad.”

Big changes can be positive too, like getting a new sibling or going to a new school. These changes might cause feelings of excitement or nervousness. Offer words of reassurance like, “I’m here to help,” or, “I’m here to support you.”

Some children may respond to distraction and want to do something else, while others may need to sit and process these big changes.

Recognizing the impact of our donors

On March 20, The Summit Center hosted an appreciation event to celebrate our donors and corporate partners. Without donations, many of our programs and services could not operate.

Attendees heard from Mark Brand, president of Summit’s Operating Board, and CEO Lisa A. Foti about Summit's growth in 2023 and the plans to continue its success into the future. Guests were able to take tours of Summit Academy – Stahl and learn more about the various programs and services Summit offers including respite, early intervention, community habilitation, and vocational programs. Special thanks to Chuckuterie for providing a delicious spread for our guests to enjoy.

We are so grateful to our wonderful donors, whose generosity truly makes a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve.

Make a difference by becoming a monthly donor

Join Summit’s monthly giving club, New Heights, and invest in what matters most – maximizing life success for children and adults with autism and other developmental challenges.

Your monthly gift will provide ongoing and reliable funding to help people achieve the highest level of personal independence. Through your generosity, they will have the specialized therapy and supportive environment they need to flourish in all areas of life.

Because your monthly donations are automatic through your credit or debit card, it saves you time and postage! We’ll send you a tax statement at the beginning of each calendar year. The program is flexible. You can change or even stop your monthly giving at any time.

For more information, contact Laura Brann, Development Manager, at (716) 629-3428 or  lbrann@thesummitcenter.org.

March 28 - Dine Out at Red Robin: Raise funds for The Summit Center 2024 Autism Walk and get a tasty meal! Stop by anytime on Thursday, March 28 at Red Robin, 4080 Maple Rd., Amherst or order online at order.redrobin.com  and 20% of proceeds will go back to Summit. Download the flyer for more information.

March 30 - Team Tedzilla Raffle: Team Tedzilla is helping raise funds for The Summit Center 2024 Autism Walk at a raffle event at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 at Momma Cow's Treat Emporium, 13119 Broadway, Alden. Winners will be announced on Saturday, May 11. Download the flyer for more information.

April 1 - 30 - Delta Sonic Round Up for Autism Acceptance Month: All 11 of Delta Sonic’s Buffalo locations will be asking customers to round up their change in the convenience store and car wash throughout April to support Autism Acceptance Month. All proceeds will benefit The Summit Center.

April 13 - Théoden’s Fellowship Fundraiser: Enjoy an artisan/craft market, local eats, basket raffles and more at Théoden’s Fellowship Fundraiser from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at Wheatfield Community Center, 2790 Church Rd., North Tonawanda. Proceeds will benefit The Summit Center 2024 Autism Walk! Download the flyer for more information.

April 16 - Chipotle Dining Out Night: Skip the dishes and enjoy an evening out at Chipotle while giving back to The Summit Center! Stop by between 4 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, at 1759 Sheridan Drive, or order online at chipotle.com. 25% of the proceeds will support The Summit Center 2024 Autism Walk. Download the flyer for more information.

April 30 - Rainbow Rink Skating Party: Hit the roller rink for a Skating Party taking place from 5 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at Rainbow Rink, 101 Oliver St., North Tonawanda.  Proceeds will benefit The Summit Center 2024 Autism Walk! Tickets costs $10 per person and can be purchased at the door or ahead of time here.

May 11 - The Summit Center 2024 Autism Walk : Join us for The Summit Center 2024 Autism Walk on Saturday, May 11, at 150 Stahl Rd., Getzville. The check in tent will open at 8:00 a.m. with opening ceremonies and the walk beginning at 9:30 a.m. Register or make a donation at www.SummitAutismWalk.org.

June 6 - Transition Fair:  The Summit Center will host Transition Fair 2024: Planning for the Future on Thursday, June 6. Additional details will be available soon.

Fact of the Month

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to increase public awareness of the needs and the potential of people with developmental disabilities. It also promotes inclusion and creating opportunities to help individuals with developmental disabilities reach their fullest potential. (National Disability Institute) 

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

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