ACHIEVA CONTACT:
Lisa Razza, Director of Communications
412-995-5000 x410
lrazza@achieva.info
For Immediate Release
Pittsburgh, PA (April 15, 2021) - Achieva Early Intervention is excited to announce a community-focused collaboration with Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Perinatal Hope Program to provide certified infant massage instruction and child development “Ask Anything” sessions to patients within the program.
Starting April 15, 2021, Annie Urso, Physical Therapist and certified infant massage instructor with Achieva Early Intervention, and Sharon Richards, Vice President of Early Intervention and certified infant massage instructor, will begin providing monthly sessions to mothers in the AHN Perinatal Hope program. April’s infant massage program will be led by Urso, followed by May’s child development “Ask Anything” session led by Richards. The collaboration is scheduled to last for a year with Urso and Richards alternating each month.
Infant massage can help calm and soothe fussy babies, ease digestive issues such as colic, gas, and indigestion, induce a more restful sleep, in addition to enhancing the bond between baby and their parent/caregiver. Instruction will be provided virtually, with the goal to eventually be to meet in person in small groups.
The Perinatal Hope program, launched by AHN in 2016, is an integrative initiative that mobilizes critical resources to surround pregnant women who are struggling with substance use disorders. The effort is designed to be a “one-stop-shop” that brings together different services, health care professionals, and educational materials so women can get maximum support from a visit. The infant massage and child Q&A sessions are the latest programmatic offerings for expectant and new mothers.
“We’re extremely pleased to partner with Achieva to offer virtual infant massage and informative sessions to give our patients more opportunities to learn and bond with their babies. The fundamental goal of the program is to support and care for mom, and community partnerships are a critical part of our approach,” said Krista Flaherty, LCSW, manager of Perinatal Hope Program.
Achieva Early Intervention is home to the area’s experts in child development and early intervention and has been providing early intervention services for over 50 years. Early Intervention is a service provided at no cost to families of children ages birth to three who have a child that shows signs of a delay in a core area of development. With over 125 licensed therapists, educators, and experts in eight core specialties (speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, hearing & vision, nutrition, and special instruction), Achieva Early Intervention is recognized as a leader in early intervention and child development. Individuals interested in the infant massage program, or any other early intervention and child development program that Achieva Early Intervention offers, can send an email to achievaei@achieva.info.
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Achieva is a non-profit organization located in southwestern Pennsylvania providing lifelong supports to people with disabilities and their families. Achieva envisions a community where all people with disabilities lead lives of personal significance. Our services range from early intervention therapies and employment supports to special needs trusts and supports in the home and community. Achieva advocates for, empowers, and supports people with disabilities and their families throughout their lives.
Allegheny Health Network (http://www.AHN.org), a Highmark Health company, is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. Among the network's 300 clinical locations are 13 hospitals and five Health + Wellness Pavilions. AHN also is home to a comprehensive research institute; home- and community-based health services; and a group purchasing organization. The network employs more than 20,000 people and has more than 2,400 doctors on its medical staff. Established in 2013, AHN's member hospitals share legacies of charitable care that date back more than 160 years.