EnCourage Institute - Specialized instruction for all learners

 Welcome to the EnCourage Institute website.

We are a resource and service center for students, parents, teachers, and administrators in the Western Michigan area.  We provide specialized learning support through diagnostics, educational therapy, professional development and consultation.

What's New?

2012 Summer Programs
June 18-August 24
Registration is now open!

Summer Clinics
Grandville and BRAINS locations
Session 1: June 18 - July 27 (6 weeks)
Session 2: July 30 - August 24 (4 weeks)
  • Based on diagnostic evaluation (scheduled during the week of June 11 for students new to EnCourage Institute)
  • 1:4 maximum teacher-student ratio
  • Students grouped according to age and skills/concepts to be learned

Reading Clinics

  • Appropriate for students with learning disabilities, processing difficulties or other reading/learning concerns
  • Focus is addressing specific needs in reading and language arts
Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays
Clinic #1 - 8:45am to 10:15am
Clinic #2 - 10:30am to 12:00noon

Writing Clinics
  • Appropriate for all students, including those with learning disabilities, processing difficulties or other learning concerns
  • Focus is on composition of different types of texts, spelling and grammar/mechanics
Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays
Clinic #1 - 8:45am to 10:15am
Clinic #2 - 10:30am to 12:00noon

Math Clinics
  • Focused on (re)building concepts and skills
  • Also appropriate for accelerated students who want to improve their skills
Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays
Clinic #1 - 8:45am to 10:15am
Clinic #2 - 10:30am to 12:00noon


Cogmed Working Memory Training

  • Cogmed Working Memory Training is an evidence-based program for helping children, adolescents, and adults sustainably improve attention by training their working memory.
  • The program is based on strong scientific research, is delivered under the supervision of a qualified Cogmed Coach, and can be done either in the client's home or at EnCourage.
For more information about Cogmed, click here or use the Cogmed tab at the top of the page.


Services for Children with Autism, Asperger's or Developmental Delays

EnCourage Institute provides DIR/Floortime interventions

Watch the CBC news story on the effects of DIR/Floortime therapy: Click Here

DIRect Connections 
at EnCourage Institute
  • Developmental Therapy based on DIR/Floortime model
  • DIR = Developmental, Individual-difference, Relationship-based
  • Combines social, emotional, behavioral and speech therapies and elements of occupational and physical therapy
  • Addresses the needs of children from birth to age 18 with a variety of delays and disorders

For more information about DIRect Connections, click here.


DIR - FRIENDS
Groups for ages 3-12

  • DIR = Developmental, Individual-difference, Relationship-based
  • FRIENDS = Friends Relating, Interacting, Engaging, Negotiating and Developing Social Skills
  • Students grouped by age, gender (for the 6-8 and 9-12 age groups) and developmental level
  • The 6-8 and 9-12 year old groups meet once per week for 90 minutes.  The 3-5 year old groups meets twice per week for 90 minutes each time.

Parents' Night Out
  • Respite care for children ages 3-12 with ASD or other special needs
  • 5:30-8:30pm
  • Second and Fourth Wednesday of each month

Year-Round Programs and Services

2011-2012 Session Schedule
Fall Session (14 weeks): September 12 - December 16
Winter Session (10 weeks): January 9 - March 16
Spring Session (10 weeks): March 19 - June 1
(does not include Spring Break)

Students starting in the middle of a session will be charged only
for the weeks remaining in the session.


Educational Therapy
  • One-on-one interventions to address learning and processing while developing reading, writing, mathematics or other academic skills
  • Individually designed based on neuropsychological evaluation  (completed prior to intervention)
  • Focused on using student strengths to address learning needs
  • 2 - 1 hour sessions per week recommended
  • For any age learner, PreK-adult
  • Dr. Rozendal is a Associate Professional Educational Therapist with the Association of Educational Therapy (www.aet.org)


Specialized Interventions
  • Individualized program developed based on a diagnostic evaluation
  • One-on-one interventions taught by Michigan certified and experienced teachers
  • Teaches skills and strategies students (for whatever reason) are not learning in school
  • Math, Reading, Writing, test-taking, study skills, ACT preparation
  • For any student with or without a diagnosed disability

Cogmed Working Memory Training
  • An evidence-based program for helping children, adolescents and adults sustainably improve attention by training their working memory
  • The program is based on strong scientific research, is delivered under the supervision of a qualified Cogmed Coach, and can be done either in the convenience of the client's home or at EnCourage.

For more information about the Cogmed program, click here


High School Credit Recovery or Homeschool Classes
  • Alternative to school-based programs
  • Taught by teacher certified in content area
  • Requires prior arrangement with high school to receive school credit (EnCourage will facilitate)
  • Ideal for students who have learning difficulties
  • Covers high school content with extra support in content reading, studying and test-taking
  • Math and English classes available for 7th/8th grade students
  • Honors and AP classes also available
For more information about High School Credit Recovery
or Homeschool Classes, click here


Tutoring
  • After school homework help and support
  • K-12 & College - any subject area
  • Provides additional support for learning skills and strategies
  • 1:1 teacher-student ratio
  • For any student with or without a diagnosed disability


The P.L.A.Y Project™
  • Early intervention for children with diagnosed or suspected Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Specifically for children under age 8
  • Home consultation program teaches parents to provide 15-25 hours/week of necessary intervention to help their child
  • Based on Greenspan's DIR/Floortime
  • Helps students develop foundations for relationships, functional skills and language
  • Can also help children with FEAS and RAD
EnCourage Institute is a licensed agency of the P.L.A.Y. Project for Western Michigan.  Click on the PLAY Project tab above for more information.




Location at B.R.A.I.N.S.
We offer our services at 2 locations! Our main office is in Grandville (corner of 28th St. and Wilson Ave).  Our second office is located at BRAINS: 3351 Eagle Run Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525 right off the East Beltline.
  
                                                                                                                         


Help for Learning Struggles
If your child seems to be struggling in school, or if his/her teachers have told you they have concerns, we can help.  We offer consultation, diagnostic evaluations, and tutoring interventions that are designed specifically for your child.  Dr. Rozendal is an expert in diagnosing and remediating learning difficulties and all tutors at EnCourage Institute are certified teachers.  Contact EnCourage Institute for a consultation appointment.

Services for Students

Services for Teachers
  • New teacher mentoring
  • Literacy coaching
  • In-services designed around school needs and initiatives
  • On-going Professional Development such as Teacher Study Groups or Book Clubs
  • Links to professional resources and opportunities

Services for School Administrators