We recently connected with Jenna Baratta and have shared our conversation below.

Jenna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

Words we hear so often such as dreams and visons, life goals, and aspirations seem so far away for us all. We often fail to realize that our accomplishments, big or small, have already been sorted into these fields and self-gratification becomes lost. Learning to acknowledge one’s self is certainly a skill that I continue to work on. It wasn’t until I began writing this piece that I realized I have so much to share and this small, yet very personal contribution explains my energy, passion and devotion to the special needs community here at home, on Staten Island.
My dreams had already come true. God blessed me with the most supportive husband and partner, and two beautiful children. Shortly after the birth of my daughter, my second child, I realized there was so much more I can still contribute toward my profession mainly because of my true passion for the disciplines of both Speech-Language Pathology and Special Education. It was time to build upon my vision and do whatever it took to foster a plan to support my goals. In 2019 my husband and I began this journey together in the apartment of our home. Where Little Minds Grow became a reality. I met the most amazing families who I often think about on those tougher days. I am humbly indebted to them. These parents and their children have taught me just as much as I have taught them and I have the pleasure of being a part of their lives.
Alongside dedicated certified therapists and staff comprised of only those pursuing special education, Where Little Minds Grow has evolved and grown into a successful establishment. I am proud to be able to offer a multitude of programs that are tailored to fit each child’s needs. We are an integrated learning center for children ages 2-12 offering speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, special instruction, integrated activity classes, “Little Essential’s” toddler program, and summer camp. We recently partnered with the Grace foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of the autistic population.
A little about my journey… I hold a Master’s degree from St. John’s University in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in Special Education. I was granted a position at the Eden ll Programs on Staten Island where I earned my Certificate of Clinical Competence and received a high level of training in Applied Behavioral Analysis with students ages 3-16. Once licensed with the Office of Professions, I embarked on another layer of the field while employed with United Cerebral Palsy, Pre-School Programs. Here, I worked with pediatric swallowing/feeding cases alongside severe receptive and expressive language diagnoses. I then received a Teacher of Speech and Language Disabilities Certificate from the NYS Education Department and was employed with the Department of Education where I had the opportunity to evaluate and treat an array of educational and speech-language disorders. Later, I received my certification in Reading with TLC and Lively Letters, an intrasensory phonological and reading fluency program. I was named a Certified Autism Specialist through IBCCES in 2022. I then obtained certification through continuing education alongside my team of Speech-language Pathologist’s and Occupational Therapists. I continue to pursue my professional goals as well by earning continuing education in the areas of Dyslexia, Phonemic/Phonological Disorders, and Pediatric Nutrition and Wellness. I am an advocate for overall health and wellness and have a passion for Pilates and yoga instruction. In addition, I encourage incorporating extracurricular activities, art, music and reading in my home.
I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to build upon my journey, be a leader, adapt skills from those who have led, and work alongside the Staten Island community. Where Little Minds Grow is proud to be considered a part of our families’ village, as we all know it most certainly “takes a village to raise a child. It takes a village to support that child’s parent.” – Ann Douglas
Jenna Restivo- Baratta, SLP/Clinical Director

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

While training and knowledge is the foundation for success, true professional growth is contingent upon continuing education and learning from other successful people within your business space. I am humbled by the level of advice and support I have received from other respected professionals.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Jason Baratta is my husband, and business partner. We embark on all of our journeys together; we are proud parents of two happy children, Jason and Jiavana. We began Where Little Minds Grow together in 2019 and have been culturing our sister company, Where Little Minds Shine since 2022.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wherelittlemindsgrow.com

Image Credits

wherelittlemindsgrow