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Pediatric Therapeutic Services, Inc.

 

2010 Stevie Award Winner

Company: Pediatric Therapeutic Services, Inc.
Company Description: Pediatric Therapeutic Services (PTS, Inc.) provides advanced therapy staffing solutions to school districts, charter schools and early intervention programs. We integrate comprehensive therapy management with related services and program supports to streamline operations, reduce costs and improve classroom performance. In 2007 PTS made the Inc. 5000 and "Philly's 100 Fasted Growing Companies."
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Overall Company of the Year – Service Businesses – up to 100 Employees

Nomination Title: Pediatric Therapeutic Services, Inc.

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated company during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):

PTS is transforming the lives of thousands of children with disabilities using
our innovative approach to education-based therapy services. Our organization
was founded in 1998 by pediatric Clinical Specialists who recognized the need
for clinical and administrative supports to insure the success of pediatric
therapists working in the classroom environment. In addition to providing
hands-on physical, occupational and speech therapy to children with
disabilities, PTS has expanded our role to therapy program management—empowering
teachers and special educators with creative new approaches to the challenges
they face in the classroom.

Today, special education programs are trapped between the rising demand for
services and limited financial resources to support the children they are
mandated to serve. PTS has created the Therapy Achievement Approach: a
five-step process designed to efficiently manage related services in schools.
Our approach combines clinical skills with top-level case management abilities,
innovative technology solutions and best practices honed from years in the
classroom and the boardroom. PTS created a breakthrough technology called
BudgetWatch™, an innovative program management software that enables special
educators to review key performance metrics through a convenient and secure web
portal. By empowering special education directors with information, we enable them to
manage their limited resources more effectively and focus on programming which
truly maximizes the potential of each individual child.

In addition to our technology solutions, PTS invests heavily in training
teachers to better support children with disabilities in the classroom. We
provide dozens of free teacher inservices each year so that the techniques and
strategies employed by therapists can be incorporated into the classroom. PTS
works extensively in inner city schools, where our creative approach toward
bringing therapeutic tools in the classroom enable students to succeed in the
most challenging of education environments.

Each year, PTS supports the Best Buddies organization by sponsoring their “Best
Buddies Ball”- a prom for special education students. Recently, we have
partnered with the Beautiful Gates School for children with disabilities in
Mysore, India. PTS therapists will be consulting on cases remotely—sharing our
expertise and resources with some of the world’s most needy students.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Pam Hackett, MPT visited the school last in
2008 and 2009 to provide on-site teacher training and direct treatment to
several dozen children. She and other PTS therapists have provided
long-distance consultation for more challenging students. She plans to return
to India to continue her work with the school, assisting them in expanding their
services to even more children.

PTS is currently expanding outside of the Delaware Valley into the NY metro area
and southern Connecticut. We are excited to bring our innovative process and
resources to help even more young people reach their potential.

List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:

http://pts-inc.net/press/articles/Phila.%20Business%20Journal%20Final.pdf
http://pts-inc.net/press/articles/Everybody%20Wins-%20Print%20Version.pdf
http://pts-inc.net/press/press%20-%20special-interest-kids.htm
http://pts-inc.net/press/press%20-%20woman-of-the-week.htm
http://pts-inc.net/press/articles/ParentsExpress_combined.pdf

Provide a brief biography of the person or persons who lead the nominated company (up to 100 words):

PTS is owned by co-founders Pamela Hackett and Diana Fongheiser. Diana is an
entrepreneur in the field of education management with a focus on the marketing
and recruitment arenas. PTS has enabled Pam to leverage her early experience
building and managing a therapy division for a national staffing company and her
professional training as a physical therapist. Pam had been a senior therapist
at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for six years when she met Diana through
a business relationship. They created PTS to bring real change to the way that
children with disabilities are supported in their school environment.

Choose one (even if both apply):

At least 50% of the shares in this company are owned by women.