Progress Center Neuromuscular Clinic

And

Early Intervention Program

Meet the Progress Center Staff

Progress Center is a neuromuscular clinic and non-profit school for children birth to 3 years old with special or advanced developmental needs. “Progress Center is dedicated to providing quality individual family centered services in collaboration with our community. We are committed to providing the best services for young children who are medically fragile, have special developmental needs, or are at risk.”

WHAT WE DO

Irene Allen-Martinez - Early Intervention Teacher/Family Resource Coordinator/Intake Specialist

Irene earned her A.A. Degree in Early Childhood Education at Glendale Community College in Glendale, AZ. She has been with Progress Center since September 1992 and has developed her skills further by having an active involvement in the S.A.F.E. Kids Coalition and participating in the Interagency Coordination Council development screenings. Irene is bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English.

Jenna Andersen-Program Director

Jenna has her BS in Liberal Arts from Oregon State University and earned her teaching Certificate from Concordia University. She holds teaching endorsements in Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education K-12 and Elementary Education K-8. She has thirteen years of teaching experience at a variety of levels

Michael Bartlett, MD - Medical Director

Michael has been a member of Peace Health Medical Group since 1998 and is board certified in Family Medicine. He graduated from Albany Medical College in 1995 and completed his residency at California’s San Joaquin General Hospital in 1998. He practices full spectrum Family Medicine including Pediatrics and Obstetrics. He has both professional, as well as personal interest in caring for children with special needs.

Jayne Baughman - Early Intervention Teacher

Jayne has come to Progress Center from Columbia County Educational Service District, where she spent her time in Special Education lessons for preschool and elementary school age students. She has extensive experience in the carry-over of motor goals with children. Her love of infants and toddlers has brought her to Progress Center.

Lynda Bell – Family Resource Coordinator

Lynda has experience in early childhood development since 1980 as well as experience parenting a child with Down syndrome and she first encountered Progress Center as a parent. She then became involved as a volunteer, a teachers aide, and then finally as an Associate Teacher in 1984. Her love of children, providing early intervention for their special needs and behaviors, and helping families brought her back to Progress Center.

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Christine Brown - Occupational Therapist

Chris is a graduate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. She has therapy experience since 1986 with past experience including Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA and the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center in Portland, OR. She has served as an Early Intervention Occupational Therapist at Progress Center since October 1994. Her specialty is with feeding issues in young children.

Julie Coster – Physical Therapist

Julie graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1984. She spent 3 years as a Physical Therapist in the Air Force Pediatric Unit at Wilford Hall Medical Center and since then has spent most of her time as a Physical Therapist working with infants and children through schools and clinics. Most of her work has been with children in the home setting where she shows families how they can work with their children to promote developmental skills. Julie now works part time at Progress Center and enjoys the extra time she has to spend with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Gretchen Demko-Certified Supervising Teacher

Gretchen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with minors in History and Psychology from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 1997. She also earned her Master of Education, Special Education with an Oregon and Washington teaching credential from Grand Canyon University in Arizona in 2007 and is working to complete her Master of Education, K-8 program as well. She is looking forward to working with all the children, their families and the staff here at the Progress Center as well as helping children be the best they can be. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, being with her family and traveling.

Jennifer DeYoung - Early Intervention Teacher/Scheduling Coordinator

Jennifer earned her B.A. in Psychology and Bachelor of Elementary Education from the University of Ottawa, in her native Canada. Prior to moving to Oregon, she worked at a psychiatric hospital in the children\\\'s outpatient department, as a classroom teacher of 1st and 6th grade, and as an educational technology facilitator with students from K-8. She is excited to have joined the Progress Center team and looks forward to many years of early intervention collaborations.

Rachel Dille-Speech Language Pathologist

Rachel Dille graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, Pullman and her graduate degree from California State University, Northridge. Rachel worked with children ranging from birth-8^th grade in the San Francisco Bay area for 5 years and has worked for the Longview School District, with a focus on Autism and Augmentative/Alternative Communication for 7 years. She has also spent time working as a teacher for children with Autism with little or no verbal language. She strives to assist children discover their true potential and loves to tackle a “challenge.”

Marie Geisler – Early Intervention Teacher/Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant

Marie joined the Progress Center staff in March of 2006. She previously worked with three to five year old children through Longview School District for 15 years, spending 2 years at the Kindergarten level implementing a new reading program. Language development and programs are Marie’s specialty.

Kara Harris - Family Resource Coordinator

Kara is a former Hospital to Home volunteer and Progress Center Parent. She is an experienced foster and adoptive parent to children with special needs.

Jennifer Kruger - Supervising Teacher

After receiving her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education and her B.S. Degree in Child Development from the University of Idaho, Jennifer is a senior member of our staff, having been employed at Progress Center since 1980 as our Master Teacher. She has endorsements in Special Education and her special interests include parenting, visual impairments, and a passion for children with Down syndrome.

Kristine Langley - Health Educator/TLC Program Coordinator

Kristine was awarded her B.S. Degree in Community Health Education from Portland State University. Her past employment includes Maternity Case Manager at Family Health Center and she has vast knowledge of our community and parenting topics. She also brings a strong background in various cultures and issues involving diversity.

Teresa Lewis - Speech Language Pathologist

Teresa is an SLP who comes to Progress Center from Vancouver, WA with experience in Speech Language Pathology since 2003. She graduated from Eastern Washington University and Washington State University in Spokane, WA with a combined Masters Degree for Speech Language Pathology.

Lisa Nippert - Intake Coordinator

Lisa has earned her B.S. Degree in Psychology from Washington State University and previously worked as a Research Assistant for WSU. She has a special interest in research including health risk factors in children, health care resources, and community web page design.

Maija Nordstrom – Family Resource Coordinator

Maija graduated from Multnomah Bible College with a double major in Bible/Theology and Educational Ministries and a minor in Hebrew. She received her Oregon and Washington State Teaching licenses after completing her Masters of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Concordia University, Portland OR. Maija has deep family roots in the Longview/Kelso area and is excited about working with the children and families of our community.

Heidi Schafer – Program Director

After receiving her B.A. in Elementary Education from Concordia University in Portland, OR, Heidi continued her education at Lewis and Clark College where she then earned a M.Ed. in Special Education specializing in the education of multi-handicapped children. Prior to coming to Progress Center, she worked within self-contained, resource room, and regular educational settings.

Lori J. Schmidt - Physical Therapist

Lori is a graduate of the University of Washington with undergraduate work from Southern Oregon University. She has been a practicing Physical Therapist since 1984. Her experience has been in Acute Inpatient/Outpatient services at Providence Hospital in Everett, WA, as well as at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, WA. Lori also works for the Kelso School District serving 3-21 year olds. She has neurodevelopmental training in adult Hemiplegia and is a certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Exercise Instructor.

Stacie Smith – Intake Specialist

Graduating from Washington State University with her B.S. in Psychology and minor in Philosophy, Stacie has dedicated her resources and experience to children with Autism Spectrum disorders, as well as behavioral disorders that can result in personal-social issues if left untreated. She has an interest in Sensory Integration, she is a PACE Therapist, and serves on the Board of Cowlitz-Wahkiakum ARC. Stacie also offers her skills to Residential Resources, as a part time seasonal employee.

Charlene Sowers - Physical Therapist

Charlene is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Allied Medical Professions in Physical Therapy, with an Undergraduate Degree in Sciences from Southern Oregon University. She has been practicing Pediatric Therapy since 1977 and has been at Progress Center since 1984. She has also worked with the University of Oregon Medical School, as well as various school districts and home health agencies. Charlene is trained in Neurodevelopment and also has special training in the deaf and visually impaired, hippotherapy, and has knowledge to cast for AFO’s.

Ambra Williams– TLC Program Assistant/Teacher’s Aide

Ambra has experience working with children from many backgrounds in childcare, classroom and one-on-one settings. She enjoys facilitating the Tracking Learning Children Program, working from both Progress Center and Child & Adolescent Clinic. She continues to extend her education further with plans for studies in Early Childhood Education. Ambra looks forward to many years at the Progress Center and with the children who learn and grow here.

Kim Williams – Supervised Visitation Coordinator

Kim has experience as a Special Education Teaching Assistant and as an Associate Teacher in Early Intervention. She now coordinates supervised visitation for Child Protective Services here at Progress Center. She has attended Lower Columbia College and continues to pursue educational opportunities to expand her knowledge further. Kim has special interest in providing Early Intervention services that are family centered.

Leslie Wolff - Occupational Therapist

Leslie received her B.S. Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA with related experience since 1988. She has worked extensively in Neurological Rehabilitation in a variety of settings. Prior to returning to her hometown of Longview, WA, Leslie worked in the Burlington-Edison School District with children from Preschool through the eighth grade in Special Education. Working at Progress Center fulfills a long-time desire to work with children birth to age three.