Staff Spotlight: Jennifer Garcia - Therapeutic Pathways

November is a month of gratitude. With Thanksgiving and Veterans Day, it feels only right to publish our last Staff Spotlight this month.

We’re turning the spotlight on Jennifer Garcia, a Clinical Assistant at Therapeutic Pathways. Jennifer has been with us for 14 years, starting as an Instructional Assistant in 2009, then moving up to become a founding Program Assistant at the Modesto Center.

In 2018, Jennifer earned her BCaBA certification and became a Clinical Assistant at Therapeutic Pathways.

Dedicated, hardworking, and helpful, Jennifer has had a profound impact on countless children’s lives.

We got to ask Jennifer some questions about her position at Therapeutic Pathways as well as her career goals and personal motivations.

What’s your favorite thing about working at Therapeutic Pathways?

My clients! I love to see them grow, gain skills, and become independent in tasks. Also, working with their families to help them be the best advocate they can be for their child.

What motivates you to wake up and go to work?

Spending one-on-one time with my clients and hearing their laughter and sweet little voices.

How do you define success?

My definition of success is client-centered. For my clients to acquire new skills, no matter how small, makes me a successful clinician.

Is there anything you’d like to add about working at Therapeutic Pathways?

I love the time that my supervisors (including Jane Howard and Coleen Sparkman) have taken over the years to help me learn and grow. I love that what they’ve taught me helps me serve my clients with a better understanding and helps me strive to be the best clinician and supervisor I can be.

Thank you, Jennifer!

With gratitude and appreciation, we are proud to introduce Jennifer as one of our longest-working employees. Our organization wouldn’t be as strong as it is without Jennifer’s innumerable contributions and hard work.

Thank you, Jennifer, and we look forward to working with you for years to come!

Readiness

Your answers indicate that your child may be best treated in the Readiness program. This individualized, evidence-based program teaches young children skills they need to accelerate their learning and gain independence. Using imitation and naturalistic learning techniques, your child will develop useful skills in the areas of speech and language, cognition, and self-awareness. A program for children ages 0-3. *This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Foundations

Your answers indicate that your child may be best treated in the Foundations program. This program gives preschool and school-age children the structure to achieve important social, emotional, and intellectual milestones, helping them test within their peers’ range. With 25+ hours of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy per week, your child will develop social skills and better self-awareness for school and home. A program for children ages 4-7. *This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Breakthroughs

Your answers indicate that your child may be best treated in the Breakthroughs program. Specifically designed for children who have limited hours due to school schedules, this program removes life barriers by developing communication, social, and self-help skills. We teach your child to engage in appropriate behaviors, helping them interact with peers and develop relationships. A program for children ages 8-11.

Interactions

Your answers indicate that your child may be best treated in the Interactions program. Through guided social skills groups twice a week, this program helps improve social functioning in children ages 5 to 16. Parent or caregiver participation is crucial to this program; our certified staff provides training for successful participation.

Independence

Your answers indicate that your child may be best suited for the Independence program. Geared toward older children, this program includes more in-depth skills that will help your child function independently. Taught skills include functional communication, self-management, and financial literacy. A program for individuals ages 12-25. *This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Your Child My Be Suited to Multiple Programs

Independence

Strategies

Your answers indicate that your child may be best suited for the Strategies program. The most age-encompassing of our programs, the goal of Strategies is to reduce challenging behaviors and issues with aggression. These behaviors interfere with independence and community participation, so we work to mitigate those challenges and encourage safe, appropriate behavior for individuals of any age. *This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Strategies

Breakthroughs and/or Interactions

Your answers indicate that your child may be best suited to the Breakthroughs or Interactions programs. These programs treat similar symptoms, so Therapeutic Pathways will need to meet with you and your child before we can place them within the appropriate program.

Specifically designed for children who have limited hours due to school schedules, Breakthroughs removes life barriers by developing communication, social, and self-help skills. We teach your child to engage in appropriate behaviors, helping them interact with peers and develop relationships.

Through guided social skills groups twice a week, Interactions helps improve social functioning in children. Parent or caregiver participation is crucial to this program; our certified staff provides training for successful participation.

*This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.

Your Child My Be Suited to Multiple Programs

Breakthroughs and/or Interactions

*This is a suggestion based on the answers you submitted. Please contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280 to discuss which program would best suit your child.