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.

Irene Allen-Martinez - Intake Coordinator

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.

.

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.

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.

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.

Phil Olson, Executive Director

Phil was delighted to join the staff at the Progress Center in June, 2009 after 20 years as an administrator of animal protection agencies. He is a graduate of The Evergreen State College with a BA in Communications. He delights in the interactions of Progress Center staff with children and families, and in the frequent miracles we are privileged to witness.

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.

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.

Nancy Womack - Speech Language Pathologist/Teacher

Nancy earned her B.A Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology form Western Washington University. Nancy has worked with children ranging from Kindergarten-12^th grade for the Longview and Kelso school districts and joined the Progress Center in August of 2009. Nancy has a passion to see children reach their highest potential and looks forward to working with children in early childhood intervention.