A MONTH OF DISCOVERY APRIL 2025
SHARE
| TCFD: A Month of Discovery
Dear Friends, April was a month to remember! From the incredible success of our Evening of Discovery Gala, to being featured in The Democrat’s limited edition School Scene publication, we’ve had so much to celebrate – and it’s all thanks to the unwavering support of our extended TCFD community. In this issue, you’ll find highlights from the month, exciting updates, and a look at what’s ahead. Thank you for being part of our journey! |
A Night to Remember: Celebrating The Center at the 2025 Evening of Discovery
| Gayle King, celebrated journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings, and beloved comedian Susie Essman took to the stage at this year’s Evening of Discovery – held in early May – helping raise critical support for The Center for Discovery. Their heartfelt words and humor made the night unforgettable, as they shared powerful stories of the life-changing impact of our work.
During the 25th Gala, The Center proudly honored TCFD family member and longtime Board Member, Nelly Bly Arougheti for her unwavering dedication. In her remarks, Nelly reflected on her personal connection to The Center – via her brother Billy – and spoke about the importance of innovation in care. She also shared her enthusiasm for The Center’s newest initiative to support aging adults with complex conditions, highlighting the need for specialized care throughout the lifespan. TCFD President and CEO, Dr. Terry Hamlin, praised Nelly as a visionary leader whose support has helped make so many beloved projects – from the Discovery Dreams Play Park to the Treehouse Project possible. With over 580 guests in attendance, this year’s Gala raised vital funds for our most transformative programs, including nutrition and organic farming, Animal Assisted Intervention, music and arts therapy, assistive technology, and more. It was our most successful in history! We are so grateful to everyone who helped make it an evening filled with meaningful moments while celebrating The Center’s impact. To read the full press release, click here!
Dr. Terry Hamlin on CBS Evening News In April, Dr. Terry Hamlin, was featured on CBS Evening News in a segment addressing the rise in autism diagnoses across the U.S. – now affecting 1 in 31 children by age 8. In a conversation with CBS News Medical Contributor Dr. Celine Gounder, Dr. Hamlin emphasized the growing number of new cases and the urgent need for deeper understanding and early intervention. The segment spotlighted the importance of advancing care and awareness in response to the continued increase in prevalence. Watch it here.
Sharing TCFD’s Groundbreaking Research at the Profound Autism Alliance Summit
At the Profound Autism Alliance Summit, Dr. Johanna Lantz, Ph.D., BCBA, Chief of Psychology and Research here at TCFD, and Dr. Yashar Kiarashi, Ph.D. of Emory University’s School of Medicine, presented groundbreaking research on predicting high-risk behaviors in individuals with profound autism using sleep and environmental data. This incredible work harnesses machine learning and edge computing to forecast behavioral challenges, unlocking the potential for early interventions and improved quality of life. We’re inspired by this innovative approach and the meaningful strides being made to support individuals with profound autism and their caregivers. Such incredible work!
Check out the latest edition of The Sullivan County Democrat’s School Scene! Hot off the press! The Sullivan County Democrat’s special School Scene edition on TCFD includes inspiring stories that highlight our groundbreaking education programs, the Children’s Specialty Hospital, innovative research, and more. It’s a look inside how we’re shaping brighter futures each and every day. Check it out here!
Spring Stroll on the Rail Trail in Hurleyville On Wednesday, May 21st at 10am, the public is invited to join a stroll on the Hurleyville Rail Trail with Lisa Lyons of Morgan Outdoors and Denise Sullivan of Sullivan First. Participants will enjoy the sights and sounds of spring as they head through the wetland to the rock cut.
Participants are encouraged to move at their own pace; adults with rolling walkers and children in strollers are welcome. Please RSVP to Lisa at Morgan Outdoors by Tuesday, May 20th via email to morganoutdoors@hancock.net or phone at 845-693-4181 to receive an updated forecast and meeting spot in Hurleyville.
Fresh, Local, and Affordable: CSA Sign-Ups Are Open! Don’t forget to sign up for your CSA share for the upcoming season at TCFD! Over 23 weeks, you’ll enjoy fresh, organic, and biodynamic produce harvested at peak ripeness – and the best part? Our prices don’t increase! In fact, you’ll save money compared to buying organic at the grocery store. Secure your share here.
The Adventure Team Challenge is (Almost) Back in Action: The 2025 Adventure Team Challenge is just weeks away! In early June, our TCFD athletes will participate in opening ceremonies, field events on our Clinic track, swimming, boating at Morningside Park, hiking, and more – expect a truly incredible, fun, teamwork-filled weekend. More to come! Celebrating our Planet, Together: Earth Week 2025 Highlights Here at The Center for Discovery we embrace the beauty of our Center’s community each and every day! In honor of our gorgeous settings, dynamic teams covering multiple departments worked across campuses during Earth Week to green up, clean up, and beautify our environment. And it wouldn’t be a Center friendly work party without active participation and engagement from the students and residents who worked alongside our remarkable staff! Participants could be seen litter plucking, raking, cleaning out flower beds, weeding and enhancing countless garden spaces, front entrances, and pathways – what a phenomenal team effort! Special thanks to our Environmental Services, Day Hab, Integrated Arts, Residential, Education, Maintenance, and Admissions Teams that joined together to keep our community sparkling. As Jim Cashen, Assisted Chief of Integrated Arts said, “I am feeling so grateful to work at such a caring and beautiful place!” |
Curtain Call Coming Soon!
Rehearsals are in full swing for our upcoming show – CATS – with 25 talented actors and actresses from both pediatric and adult programs practicing twice a week. This production features solo singers, dancers, and a mix of live stage and on-screen performances.
It’s our most ambitious show yet – set to the poetry of T.S. Eliot, the lyrics have challenged even our most seasoned performers, but everyone is stepping up beautifully. This continues to be an incredible collaboration, with many departments lending their creativity and support.
We can’t wait to share more!
Meet Kibu
We got in touch with Chief of Day Hab, Rachel Chaiet, for a brief Q&A on Kibu – a new platform here at TCFD.
What is Kibu?
Kibu is an online platform that offers hundreds of videos and live classes on various topics like dance, exercise, art activities, and even life skills. The videos are age-appropriate, but also fun, entertaining, and use clear and easy-to-follow directions. They also offer adaptations for individuals who use a wheelchair or have other mobility challenges.
How did you discover it?
We were contacted by the company, who asked to give us a demo during a Teams meeting. We were very impressed with the content during the presentation and we felt it could benefit both medical and active groups in our Day Hab program.
What will it be used for and who will use it?
We are hoping this can be another “tool in our toolbox” for helping The Center’s residents with self-regulation, self-expression, and developing additional independent living skills. We are going to start off with a 3 month trial for 3-4 of our Hurleyville Campus groups, including Day Hab residents from Barefoot, Slate, Railroad, and Granite. Once we see how the platform works and ensure our residents enjoy it, we hope to expand to groups from other campuses, such as the CSA, Life Center and the ICF campuses.
What benefits do you hope to see from using it?
We are thinking it would be a great addition to the morning routine – whether it be an exercise or dance class (live or recorded) to help with energy regulation. This would also be an alternate option for exercise when there is inclement weather and the groups are not able to exercise outside. The art activities could be fun leisure options for groups in between their regular programming. They also have Life Skills activities/lessons, many of which are related to going out into the community. These activities could be used in preparation for going on a community outing. We feel there could be many benefits to the use of this program!
Who will support the usage of it?
Our Day Hab Specialists and Day Hab Associates would be setting it up and helping residents to participate in the activities featured in the videos on a daily/weekly basis. These videos are a nice option for the Day Hab groups as an add-on to other programming, as they are easy to use and most require no supplies or very few supplies for participation.
When will it be implemented?
We are hoping to get it started within the next couple of months – we are excited to get going!
Grand Finale of the Seed to Belly Battles
Everyone was on the edge of their seats during the last ten seconds of the Seed to Belly Battles, as competitors added the finishing touches to their dishes. The aroma of pan seared beef rib roast, garlic, and ginger filled the air. It was an extremely close competition between the Whisk Takers and the Farmstead Foragers, but in the end the Whisk Takers took home the trophies by a half point margin.
Each team had to incorporate ginger, bone-in beef rib roast, and millet, which is a small mild grain originating in Asia and Africa. The twist? Minutes before the competition began, the teams learned they had to include spirulina to their already planned dishes. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is a popular dietary supplement, known for its nutritional value and a sweet, earthy taste.
The Whisk takers included Chef Coach Brett Burkle and competitors Gina Welch, Susan Kleiman, and Dawn Krenner. Our very own cheesemaker, Dawn, made homemade ricotta which topped a rosemary, parmesan shortbread cracker with pickled beets and cauliflower for the amuse-bouche. Sautéed spinach accompanied the scallion, garlic, millet polenta, which was the talk of the evening, created by Susan. Gina, pan seared the steak to perfection and paired it with a feta cream sauce. The team took it to the next level with a lime, apple cider vinegar, honey, and spirulina spritzer that they served with their meal.
Judge Cesare Casella, Chief of DNA – Food & Farming – described the dish as being homey, creative, and that he “just wanted to eat more.” With just a half point difference between the teams, both did an incredible job at encompassing the Seed to Belly® philosophy, bringing their creativity, skills, and teamwork to the event.
Here’s a fun peek inside the grand finale action!