For Immediate Release

CHATHAM-KENT, ONTARIO - The Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent unveiled its new name and logo today with a nod to its past and a focus on the future. The unveiling occurred at a reception involving local dignitaries, health and social service agency representatives, board directors and staff.

“In 2008 we celebrated our sixtieth anniversary and for a long time our name was the Kent County Children’s Treatment Centre before it was changed to the Prism Centre for Audiology and Children’s Rehabilitation,” said Guyanne Smoke, board chair. “We felt by returning the name to Children’s Treatment Centre, it more clearly highlights and communicates to the public the important work that we do.”

The Centre’s dedicated and caring therapists have assisted babies, toddlers and youth from birth through to age 18 with their physical, developmental and communication needs. These critical programs ensure that every child in the community realizes their full potential. Services are delivered both at the Lark Street location in Chatham as well as across Chatham-Kent through the Best Start hubs in Blenheim, Pain Court and Wallaceburg and at outreach sites in Ridgetown, Dresden, Thamesville and Tilbury.

Also announcing a name change at the reception was the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent (formerly the Prism Foundation). The Foundation, officially incorporated in November 2007, was established to raise community awareness and program funds for the Centre. Consistent identification will assist the Foundation in meeting its objectives.

Mike Grail, chair of the Foundation board, said, “While provincial dollars are a major source of the Centre’s core budget, they aren’t keeping pace with the increasing costs associated with delivering the Centre’s core services. Add to that the pressures of funding other programs and services valued by parents and children in our community and you can quickly see that a charitable foundation is necessary to generate revenue and create financial sustainability.”

The Foundation is one of the community agencies supported by funds raised during the Festival of Giving, scheduled for April 18, 2009 at the Kinsmen Auditorium.

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For more information about the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent, contact:

Donna Litwin-Makey, Executive Director
519-354-0520, ext. 228 dmakey@childrenstreatment-ck.com

For more information about the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation, contact:

Art Stirling, Director of Community Relations and Fund Development
519-354-0520, ext. 266 astirling@childrenstreatment-ck.com