About
Our Approach
What is different about KIDZ?
We like to think it starts with our philosophy of success and a team of dedicated members who know how to achieve it.
We are here for the KIDZ and their families. The challenge of a special needs child or teen impacts the entire family. It takes teamwork and special care. While it can seem overwhelming at first, there is a way to greatly improve the day to day challenges the KIDZ and their families face.
Our Philosophy
We start with our KIDZ Evaluation Session that assesses where the patients skills and abilities are on day one. To have a lifestyle challenges conversation with the parents. Then we develop a KIDZ Personalized Development Plan that lays out a program that will best impact the patient’s ability to independently function day-to-day in the family.
Our Process
We focus on the most basic mental and physical abilities that impact the broadest set of day to day skills. At first, what appears to be a series of baby steps, builds into real progress as they start to impact the day to day ability of the patient to perform daily tasks that have a true impact on the patients ability to function more independently.
Results
It is not just reaching the end of the path or program, but we celebrate one step at a time. We want our patients to feel like STARZ. We encourage success through celebrating accomplishments by showing our patients and families that putting in the effort and sticking to the routine will result in accomplishment. This builds HOPE, DREAMS and SUCCESS for our KIDZ and their Families.
Have more questions?
Feel free to contact us to talk about your needs or set up an appointment.
WHAT MAKES KIDZ GREAT?
Our team of professionals are second to none.
Our leadership team is dedicated to providing a high quality of caring, committed and a nurturing environment for each and everyone of our KIDZ, team members, and the families that we serve.
THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chris Panagopoulos
Chris's years of knowledge in healthcare management and finance provides KIDZ with a strong stable foundation that allows us to receive the highest quality of pediatric therapy.
Chris joined Kidz Therapy Networks in January 2008 as General Manager of Kidz Therapy Networks. Chris insures the smooth running of the clinic and is our in-house expert in dealing with insurance companies, obtaining payments, and collectibles. Chris attended Georgia Southern University and majored in business and finance.
Meghan Panagopoulos
My name is Meghan Panagaopoulos and I am the clinical director at Kidz Therapy Networks. I have been apart of the Kidz Therapy family for 10 years. I graduated from North Georgia College and State University in 2007 with a bachelors in Exercise Science. From there I went to Brenau University to pursue Occupational Therapy. I graduated from Brenau in 2010 with a masters in Occupational Therapy. I enjoy many settings of OT and have experience in acute care, inpatient rehab, home care and outpatient settings. I have additional training and certifications in Beckman oral motor, Handwriting without Tears program, home modifications, sensory integration, dyslexia, and have a modalities certification. I am also apart of Georgia's early intervention program called Babies Can't Wait. Along with my love for OT I have a wonderful husband and a little girl named Elise. We live in Cumming Georgia and enjoy visiting our friends and family on the weekends. Elise is our world and we enjoy being outside playing, visiting Disney World and going to the beach.
Caroline Williams
Caroline is in charge of the day-to-day operations at KIDZ. In a fast pace, chaotic world we live in she brings stability for our patients, parents, and staff. When it comes to making sure things operate professionally, efficiently, and with the KIDZ caring attitude, it's Caroline that makes that all happen.
She has 16 years experience in managing pediatric therapy clinics. We look to her to juggle schedules, patient appointments, work with our staff, and all with a smile.
Danielle Cole
Danielle is the billing manager making sure the finances and authorizations are in good order. Danielle has been with Kidz for many years, and plays a key role in making sure patients are permitted to receiving treatment. She prides her self in being organized and efficient when tackling some of the difficulties private insuarnces provide the clinic.
ALLIED HEALTH
Jessie Schares, M.Ed, CCC-SLP
Jessie Schares is a Speech-Language pathologist who has been practicing for 6 years. She holds her State License in Georgia as well as her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Jessie received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education in Communication Disorders from Valdosta State University. She also holds her Preschool Special Education Endorsement from Georgia State University. Her experience is comprised of a variety of settings including the public school system, private pediatric clinics, and home therapy. She has specialty training in P.R.O.M.P.T. (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), Beckman Oral Motor Techniques®, The Kaufman Program for Apraxia, and The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding.
West Green M.S., OTR/L
Jenna Wilson, M.S. CCC-SLP
My name is Jenna Wilson, M.S. CCC-SLP. I am a Speech-Language Pathologist. I graduated with my Bachelors degree from the University of West Georgia and my Masters degree from the University of Montevallo. I am from (& currently live) in Senoia, GA with my husband, Andy, and 2 dogs, Cali and Gunner. I love giving others the confidence and skills to increase their speech, language, and communication skills.
Liz Roberts, PT, MMSc, DPT
Working part time for KIDZ Therapy Networks is one of my favorite places to be as I feel welcomed and connected to the children we treat, their families and the staff family. I am a physical therapist with three different degrees from Emory University in Physical Therapy, the final being my Doctor of Physical Therapy. I am certified in pediatric Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT). I have a wonderful supportive husband that I get to work with at his company outside of healthcare. We have 7 children all married to wonderful spouses and have 23 grandchildren!!! (Yes, you read that right!) We do love kidz!!
Baillie Hunter, M.S., OTR/L
Baillie graduated with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina. After receiving a B.A. in Psychology from Queens University of Charlotte, she worked in the healthcare non-profit field for 4 years providing access to a variety of medical services. She has volunteered with Autism Charlotte, an OT and PT Hippotherapy program, and recently visited Ecuador to provide therapy services in both a pediatric clinic setting and an Assisted Living Facility. Her pediatric clinical education experiences included treatment of children ages 0-13 years old with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Spina Bifida, Epilepsy, TBI, ADHD, Developmental Delay, Sensory Processing Deficits, Feeding Difficulties, and Epidermolysis Bullosa. Baillie is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Georgia Occupational Therapy Association (GOTA). Baillie feels really connected to the Occupational Therapy profession and strives to provide children and families with a path to health, wellness, joy, and independence through everyday activities and play.
Stephanie Burns, M.S., OTR/L
Stephanie graduated from Brenau University with a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. Stephanie has over 10 years of experience working with children on the autism spectrum, ADHD, sensory processing, dyslexia, and other developmental disorders. Stephanie received her bachelors of science from Brenau University with an emphasis on psychology and family counseling. Stephanie is a trained and educated feeding therapist using the S.O.S approach to feeding. Stephanie has a deep rooted passion in neurological function and understanding how the nervous system affects children’s behaviors, sensory processing, and how it relates to development and functional participation in activities of daily living. Stephanie is excited to be a part of the Kidz Therapy Networks Team, helping children and their families toward independence, happiness, and function.
Cheryl Kent, M.S. CCC-SLP
Cheryl graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Communication Disorders and then completed her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Central Florida. She started her career working at All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fl specializing in the pediatric early intervention program which provided extensive parent training to families. She has worked with a variety of disorders: articulation/phonological processes, apraxia, fluency, autism spectrum disorders, PDD, central auditory processing disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders. Over the years she has worked in a private practice setting, pediatric therapy clinics and contracted out in the schools in Cherokee and Forsyth Counties. Her philosophy is all children learn differently and each child is his or her own individual person that has a voice whether it is verbal or nonverbal. Therapy is a team effort and open communication is of great importance so the parents are kept informed and for the parents to have trust and feel comfortable to ask questions and collaborate with the therapist. Cheryl lives at home with her husband and rescue dog, Mandy. She has a daughter and son that both graduated from UGA and they are both pursuing Master Degrees.
Katie Silakowski, M.S., OTR/L
Katie is a licensed occupational therapist who received both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from James Madison University in Virginia. While in Virginia, she began her career working with an array of ages in the out-patient and in-patient setting while also serving on best practice research teams. She has presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association national conference and had her work presented at several other national conferences. Katie has always had a passion for developmental disabilities and while in Virginia served as a lead author for clinical practice guidelines for the therapeutic treatment of adults with developmental disabilities. Following her move to Georgia, Katie acted on her passion for developmental disabilities by joining the Kidz Therapy Networks team. She continues to learn and expand her knowledge through continuing education courses. When not working, Katie enjoys spending time with her high school sweetheart, now husband, Steve and their two young children Nolan and Mattie. Additionally, she enjoys running and has completed two marathons with her sights set on another!
Tracy Farrington, M.Ed, CCC-SLP
My name is Tracy Farrington and I am one of the speech-language pathologists at Kidz Therapy Networks! I earned my Bachelor's degree from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and Master's degree from the University of Virginia. I've had the pleasure of working with both children and adults in a variety of settings including schools, skilled nursing facilities, home health, private practice, hospitals, and daycares. When I'm not working, I enjoy reading, volunteering, spending time with my friends and family, and trying out new recipes. I am very excited to be part of the Kidz family!
Laura Adams, PT, M.S
Laura earned her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from North Georgia College and University in the year 2000 and has been practicing in Pediatrics ever since. She has worked in a wide variety of settings including Aquatics, Home Health, Outpatient Clinics and School based therapies. She is also an early intervention therapist that provides physical therapy treatment through the Georgia Babies Can’t Wait program for children ages 0 to 3 years. She really enjoys working with children and their families to help them reach their functional goals so they can live a full and happy life together. Laura has one teenage son that she adores and a dog named Ginger. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family/friends and teaching yoga classes.
Megan Flaherty, M.S. OTR/L
Megan is a part time occupational therapist at Kidz Therapy Networks. She received her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at Towson University, though will always be a bulldog at heart as she received her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a major in child and family development from the University of Georgia. Megan has experience in a variety of settings, including inpatient rehabilitation where she worked with adults and pediatrics which included the services of neurology, thoracic surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, vascular, oncology, and intensive care units. Megan has also worked in early intervention, where she provided home and early childhood community program based OT to children ages birth through three years old. Megan has always had a love for working with children and especially having the joy of celebrating each small (or big!) achievement with their families. She also enjoys reading, country music, walks with her chocolate lab, and spending time with her family.
TESTIMONIALS
Family Feedback:
DJ started with Kidz Therapy Networks in August. His greatest challenge was bike riding, but with the help of his therapist, he is now riding his bike. This is a huge accomplishment we are all celebrating. Thanks a lot! - Mrs. W
My children, D and S, have been going to therapy at Kidz Therapy Networks since March, 2007. They both have Autism, and benefit greatly from the therapists who provide them with Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Because the clinic is relatively small, my kids have really progressed from the one on one therapy and attention... - Mrs. D
I am writing in reference to Kidz Therapy Networks. My son has been going to their therapy center since March 2007 right after they opened. I have seen major improvement in my son’s communication skills as well as fine motor skills. There has also been significant behavior issues resolved with the help of his therapists. This therapy center sees children as children and not as a number or dollar sign. My son is 6 years old and has been diagnosed with Autism. I am confident that with the proper tools and help of his therapists he can lead a successful life... - Mrs. S
To Jill and everyone at Kidz Therapy Networks, first of all, let me say a big "Thank YOU!" for all you have done for M. I, my husband, and everyone in our circle have noticed a difference in his attitude, behavior, and his ability to control his emotions. You've helped enable him to be a little boy again! We have implemented many of the therapy suggestions you gave us in order for M to continue to practice them here and at home, including making a "tent retreat" of blankets and sheets. I only wish we had/could afford to purchase some of the incredible tools you have in the gym. He constantly speaks of the swing, the weighted bags, and other items as in, "I could calm down if I only had a (fill in the blank.)"...Thank you again for working so hard. You are changing lives in the most incredible ways. - Mrs. M
Community Feedback:
My Name is Becky Carty and I am the Director of Ivy League Montessori School in Cumming, Georgia. We are a small private school with a student population of 75 students, ranging in age from 2 1/2 years to 12 years old. Because Montessori is known for providing an education very different from mainstream schools, physicians, and other educators often refer children to us that do not fit the "traditional mold." Often children that would have difficulty in another environment, thrive here. However, there have always been children in our classrooms that we have not been able to help. We are now fortunate to be able to partner with the wonderful OTs at Kidz Therapy Networks to help a much broader number of children. We are very grateful to Kidz Therapy Networks for providing (free of charge!) an excellent workshop for our staff. Their approach to child behavior is very compatible with Montessori philosophy. We are very excited that we now have a group of caring professionals that we can turn to for help and to provide OT to children who need it. Often OT enables us to keep a child that we would other wise have to dismiss. Kidz Therapy Networks are even able to provide OT for children on site, so busy parents will not have to disrupt their child's day for therapy. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Have more questions?
Feel free to contact us to talk about your needs or set up an appointment.