Credentials

These are a few of the professionals that serve COLLAGE/Occupational Therapy Programs

Beth Freney

         COLLAGE Group Coordinator since January, 1998
           Intake interviewer since 2001
           On-site Admissions Planner since 2001
Credentials: MS in Counseling and Human Relations, Villanova
                    University, PA
           BS in Occupational Therapy, Towson State Univ., MD
Experience: Occupational Therapy Coordinator, Vanguard School
                    since July 1998
           Occupational Therapist in Psychiatry Dept., achieving
                    position of Mental Health Team Leader and Clinical
                    Specialist II, Univ.of Penna.Medical Center, 1990-1998
                        Community Counseling Intern, incl. leading
                             outpatient aftercare group, at U of P MC, 1996-97
                       Support Group Facilitator, co-facilitating support
                            group for cancer pts., at U of P MC, 1995-96
Continuing Ed. related to Social Skills since January,1999:
                   15 full-days + 16 1/2 hrs., incl:
            How Does Your Engine Run course, August, 2000
            Non Verbal Learning Disabil. course by Mary Benbow, 4/00
            Sensory Integration theory course by Western
                   Psychological Services, Fall 1999
Lecturing related to social skills – 4 ½ hours
            “Transition Program” for OTP Connections Conference,
                    January, 1998
          “Observing & Reporting Social Skill Progress" co-
                    presentation for OTP Conn. Conf., January, 1999
            “How Does Your Engine Run workshop” (with others)
                     for Vanguard School faculty, Fall, 2000
            “Social Implications of Non-Verbal Learning Disability” for
                    OTP Conn. Conf. January, 2001

Renee Weintraub-Kalandar

            COLLAGE Group Coordinator since 1995
Credentials: BS in Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson
                    University, Philadelphia, PA
            Completed course work in Special Education, Psychology,
                    and Nursing at Trenton State College, Lawrenceville, NJ
            Completed Swedish Massage course of study, Massage Arts
                     and Sciences Center, Philadelphia, PA
Awards: D.Bruce Yoppi Award for Excellence in Service, nominated.
            Special Olympics Service Recognition Award
Experience: Independent Occupational Therapy Contractor since 1991
                    with 0-5 year olds and school aged children
            Occupational therapist (psychiatric patients), Wills Eye
                    Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 1991
            Occupational therapist (handicapped & MR children and
                    adults), Greenwich Services, 1990-1991
            Occupational Therapist (head injured adults), New Medico
                    Rehabilitation Center, Plymouth Meeting, PA 1988-1992
            Occupational Therapist (mentally/physically handic. adults),
                    Kencrest Services, Philadelphia, PA 1988-1992
            Occupational Therapist (devel. delayed adults and 0-5 y.o.
                    children), 1986-1989
            Volunteer, coordinated volunteer committee and 150 individuals
                    running annual event, Phila. Special Olympics. 1986-93
            Volunteer and inservice presenter, in and acute care hospital
                    for children and adults, Volunteers for Israel, N.Y.City, 1989
Publications, co-author:
            Detailed "Daily Log" -- COLLAGE OTP, 1998
            "Progress Interview Form" -- COLLAGE OTP, 1998
Continuing Ed. related to social skills since January, 1999 --
                    1 full day + 9 hours
Lectures related to social skills since 1/99 :
            "Conflict Resolution" for OTP Enhancing Social Skills
                    series, 12/99

Nancy Kauffman

           Founding Director, COLLAGE
          President, Occupational Therapy Programs
Credentials: MS in Special Education,Temple Univ., Phila., PA
            BS in Occupational Therapy, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Phila., PA
            Certified by SII to administer & interpret Sensory Integration
                     and Praxis Tests (SIPT), 1990
            Qualified by SII to help train clinicians learning SIPT, 1987-2000
            Certified by SII to administer & interpret Southern California
                     Sensory Integration Tests, 1978
Awards: Master Clinician Award from Pennsylvania Occupational
                     Therapy Association, 1991
Experience: Private occupational therapy practice since 1980
           Educational Consultant, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf,
                    1986-1992
           Staff occupational therapist Crozer Chester Medical Center,
                    1981-1983
           “Perceptual Motor Specialist” for severely LD students,
                    School District of Philadelpia,1973-1981
           Program Director, Melmark Home for Mentally Retarded,
                    1966-1969.    Volunteer, 1969-present
Publications: Co-author
           Toys for Early Childhood Development, Simon & Schuster,1990
           “Helping Kids Make it Socially” in Advance for Occupational
                    Therapists, 1990
           “COLLAGE Helps Children Get Along” in OT Week,1990
           “Disorders of Visual Perception” in Neurological Rehabilitation,
                    Mosby, 1982 and 1990
           “The Role of OT in the Education of LD Students,”
                    Philadelphia School Board, 1980
           “Guidelines for Motor Development” in Curriculum Guide for
                    LD Students, Project DELP, Philadelphia, 1978
          “Learning Disabilities Checklist” Kndgtn & First Grade, 1974; for
                    grades 3-6, 1978, published by School District. of Phila.
                    Coordinated its validity research, 1975
Publications: Author:
           School O.T.chapter in Willard and Spackman’s Occupational
                     Therapy, Lippincott, Editions in 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993
Research: Currently mentor/data assistant on student research
                     projects, Temple Univ. (1), College Misericordia (1)
            Normative data collector for standardization of:
                    Miller Assessment for Preschoolers - Screen, 1981
                   SIPT, 1984-85
                    Devereux Test of Extremity Coordination, 1971-72
          “Effects of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Balance”(co-
                     author) in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 1989.
                     Translated for a German publication, 1990
            “Vestibular Activities for LD Children” (research results, co-
                     author) in 2 issues Sensory Integration News, 1986
Continuing Ed. related to social skills since January, 1999 –
                      5 full-days + 20 hrs
Lecturing related to social skills since January, 1999 –
                      3 full-days + 15 ½ hours

Alexandra Snopkowski

          COLLAGE Group Coordinator since May, 1998
               Intake interviewer since May, 2000
               On-site Admissions Planner since 2007
Credentials: Candidate for MS in Occupational Therapy, Temple
                    Univ., Philadelphia, PA
             Certificate in Occupational Therapy, Temple Univ. Phila., PA
             BS in Sports Science, Exercise Physiology, Ohio Univ.
Awards: Pi Theta Epsilon National Occupational Therapy Honor
                    Society, Temple University
             Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Ohio Univer.
Experience: Occupational therapist, The Melmark Home, 1998-2000
             Fieldwork: geriatric psychiatry (mostly groups), Jefferson
                    Hospital, Cleveland Clinic
Research: Masters Thesis “What are the Social Skill Needs of
             Children with ADHD”
Continuing Ed. re: social skills since Jan.,1999:
                    100⁺research-related hrs + 1 full day+ 2 hrs
Lecturing related to social skills: 3 ¼ hours
             1997 “A Picture Today with a Vision of the Future”
                    at District V PA. O.T. Assoc.Conf.
             1/99 “Observing & Reporting Social Skill Progress”
                    co-presentat'n for OTP Conn.Conf.
             1/00 “Understanding Why: Rational for Social Skills
                    Programming” for OTP Conn.Conf.
             1/01 “When to Seek Help: Identifying Social Skill Difficulties
                    in Children with ADD” (co-presentation) for OTP Conn. Conf.

Mark PieninCk

         COLLAGE Group Coordinator since September, 1999
         Spring House Program Coordinator since August, 2000
Credentials: MS in Occupational Therapy, College Misericordia,
                    Dallas, PA
         BA in Business Administr. (with departmental honors),
                    Beaver College, Glenside, PA
         Certified by WPS to administer & interpret Sensory Integration
                    and Praxis Tests, 2000
Experience: The Occupational Therapist for Upper Merion School
                    District since Sept.,2000
           Staff occupational therapist (school based), Easter Seals of
                    Montgomery Co., Jan, 1998 - Sept., 2000
            Fieldwork at Easter Seals (Montgomery Co), Woods School
                    (Langhorne) & a psychiatric hosp.
            Instructional Assistant, multiple disabilities classroom, Bucks Co
                    Intermediate Unit, 1995-1997
            Rehabilitation Aide, Ridgecrest Nursing and Rehabilitation
                    Center, 1992-1996

Revised 1/7/2010