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Our Directors
Founder
Carol Penchuk, former Executive Director, has retired from G.R.I.T. Calgary Society. She started this organization in her home in 1995 and since, it has grown to serve thousands of families over the years.
Executive Director
Paula Carby is the primary liaison with Alberta Education and our board of directors. She oversees daily operations of the organization and is responsible for staffing, intakes, community networking, staff in-services and also manages the financial aspects of the organization.
Program Administrator
Annette Eckel coordinates fundraising efforts and manages administration, assisting new families and supporting current ones.
Director of Education
Kim Suvanto is responsible for overseeing the educational programs of the children in collaboration with the education and therapy team.
Our Team
Each child is an individual with unique needs. Their program is based on their strengths and needs. Your child's program may include one or more of the following therapists:
Certificated Teachers
These teachers are responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the Individual Program Plan. They provide consultation to the child, family and Child Development Specialist in the areas of cognition, socialization and behavior. The Certificated Teachers facilitate contact with external organizations or individuals involved with the child as needed.
Speech Language Pathologist
Will provide direct therapy for the child as well as consultation to the family and child development specialists in areas of speech and augmentative alternative communication (AAC). They will provide equipment, strategies and modification to maximize the child's ability to communicate their wants, needs and ideas.
Child Development Specialists
The CDS will provide support for the child in the home, at preschool and in the community. They will work collaboratively with the child's family and the G.R.I.T. Education and Therapy Teams to implement the Individual Program Plan.
Occupational Therapist
Will provide direct therapy for the child as well as consultation to the family and the Child Development Specialist in the areas of self help skills, fine motor development and feeding. They will provide strategies, equipment and modifications of environment to support the child in the home and classroom settings.
Physical Therapist
Will provide direct therapy for the child as well as consultation to the family and the child development specialist in the areas of gross motor development. They will provide equipment, strategies and modification to maximize the child’s mobility, strength and balance.
Vision Facilitator/Braillist
Works collaboratively with the Certificated Teacher, therapists and CDS's to implement program goals and objectives. Helps provide modifications to environment, equipment and learning materials to support needs unique to vision loss. Experienced in cortical vision impairment and able to provide instruction in early braille literacy to the child, parent and child development specialist.