We recently connected with Jennifer Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I pursued a career in Speech-Language Pathology and worked at a local hospital, providing services to both children and adults in various settings. When the hospital discontinued home visits for children as part of early intervention, I recognized the importance of such services and decided to establish my own practice after a decade of hospital service. My focus was on pediatric therapy, witnessing children’s progress and successful discharges.

In 2006, challenges arose when Medicaid significantly reduced therapy visits for children. Concerned about the impact, I initiated a nonprofit to fund therapy for children, successfully supporting them for a decade. However, a pivotal moment led me to envision a school that offered a holistic therapeutic education. With the support of my board, donors, and parents in the community, we reshaped the nonprofit’s mission to address this need.

Following God’s calling, I closed my private practice in 2019 to establish Apparo Academy in response to the community’s overwhelming support. Even amidst the COVID pandemic, we launched a $5 million capital campaign, quickly reaching a majority of the goal within five months. Construction of a 16,000 square foot building was completed, allowing us to increase our capacity to 68 children in September 2022 and further to 103 children this year.

The journey underscored the synergy of faith and hard work. I encourage those feeling a calling to make a positive impact on their community to follow their convictions. Trusting in God’s guidance and putting in the effort can lead to transformative outcomes, with the community rallying behind a mission they believe in.

Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I initially pursued a music major in college but later switched to deaf education, fueled by my passion for working with children. Following graduation, I found myself at a hospital catering to the deaf community. Encouraged to further my education, I pursued a master’s degree to become a speech-language pathologist, exploring the vast and intriguing field.

Working in the hospital, I served both children and adults in diverse settings, eventually specializing in adult and pediatric dysphagia—addressing swallowing and feeding disorders. In 2007, I married my husband and embarked on an immediate journey of adopting five children within six years, each with varying emotional or physical disabilities. This unique perspective as a mother immersed me in the realm of special needs.

Observing the shortcomings of schools in providing integrated therapy services for children with special needs, I recognized the need for change. Public schools were merely checking boxes, and my own children, along with those attending my private practice after school hours, were not progressing as they should. Motivated by this realization, I felt compelled to make a difference.

Despite my enjoyment of global travel, where I taught therapists how to work with individuals facing feeding and swallowing disorders, nothing surpasses the joy derived from establishing an accredited early care and learning center. This center offers a truly inclusive therapeutic education, accommodating children from 6 weeks of age through kindergarten.

Bringing hope to families and altering the course of a child’s life is a source of boundless joy for all those engaged. When you possess the ability to influence a child’s life positively, it sets off a ripple effect that resonates through their future generations.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Ensuring the well-being of the families we support goes beyond just offering a service for their children. It involves instilling hope for the future. Offering compassion to families in challenging situations and actively listening to their needs is crucial in caring for the child. The key to a fulfilling life lies in delivering high-quality services with a generous heart. When your motivation is love for people, any minor shortcomings in skills are easily overlooked. However, combining genuine care with exceptional services attracts people seeking your assistance.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Certainly! Reaching this stage in life brings immense joy as I reflect on how God orchestrated various paths to lead me to my current position. Serving people, especially witnessing children achieve remarkable progress leading to their independence, brings me profound satisfaction. I feel thankful for a profession that has brought significant success, measured not in personal accolades, but in the numerous children and families I’ve had the privilege to accompany on their life journeys.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.apparoacademy.org
• Instagram: apparo_academy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jones-872206a/