Agency update: TEAMability
TEAMability is in the business of hope. They work with children, and now a few adults, with complex multiple disabilities to help them get the most out of their lives.
A 2021 High Impact Grant from Impact San Antonio purchased ceiling-mounted tracking equipment that helps patients stand upright — and in the case of one little girl with a spinal injury, helps her roller skate. Her big smile tells you exactly how much she’s enjoying it.
This summer, the nonprofit agency moved to their new headquarters at the Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan’s Wonderland. The difference between the two facilities is like night and day. They moved from a dark, cramped office building of 3,500 square feet that had to be adapted to their needs to a new, 10,000-square-foot facility that was designed for their specific requirements at the MAC. It has large rooms with high ceilings, lots of big windows and plenty of room — and equipment — to grow.
They’re already growing their clientele, said agency CEO Barbara Goldman.
“When we moved to the MAC on July 26, we were serving 40 children,” she said. “In August, we served 60 non-duplicated children and adults with disabilities and delivered 738 hours of therapy services. We anticipate serving 170 non-duplicated clients by June 2023.”
TEAMability helps patients through an innovative approach that combines occupational, physical and speech therapy with the expertise of special educators who are learning specialists. Care plans are tailored to each patient.
“The therapists assess functional abilities — sensory, motor and communication — and the learning specialists assess how the client learns and what motivates the client,” Ms. Goldman said. Staff members “work together to create realistic, attainable goals that are based on current functional abilities.”
Parents participate in that assessment to ensure that family needs are considered in each plan of care, she said.
“TEAMability’s approach results in more active participation in meaningful life activities, increased functional abilities and an improved quality of life,” Ms. Goldman said.
The clinic is laid out so that patients in electric wheelchairs and on adapted bicycles can ride a circular course around the facility. There also is a feeding room to help in the development of oral motor skills and an assessment room for evaluating vision. Dedicated swing and soft-play rooms with cushions allow children to safely participate in creative activities.
TEAMability also is helping train the next generation of health professionals. The University of the Incarnate Word’s Pediatric Certified Specialist Residency Program for physical therapists launched at the agency on July 1.
“We are thrilled to be the outpatient clinical site for this program, the only one in Texas,” Ms. Goldman noted.
The agency transported usable equipment from their old site to the new one and added more equipment with grants from organizations, including Impact SA. The increased space in their new facility means that they are now licensed by Medicaid and Medicare to serve adults with disabilities as well as children.
Clients and their families are excited about the new space, Ms. Goldman said.
“Our families and children are in awe of the new clinic,” she said. “They are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for both TEAMability and the MAC.”
The staff is delighted, too, she said.
“After years of constraints due to limited physical and human resources, it’s TEAMability’s turn to reach our potential,” she said.
210-733-9050