We were lucky to catch up with Nicholette Driggs recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nicholette, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?
One of the most important lessons I have learned from prior jobs is to move on from places where you have outstayed your welcome. You know the feeling, you’re left out of meetings, they don’t CC you on emails, whispers when you enter the room, You can never do anything right. Or maybe you have outgrown them. You no longer feel challenged in your work. The passion you felt is gone. You dread going in to work.
It can be scary to leave a job or a career you have outgrown or have outgrown you. But it gives you an opportunity to see what other door will open for you. I worked in early childhood for a public school for 16 years. I loved my job. I would have worked there indefinitely. One day the Assistant Superintendant and the Head of Special Education called me in for a meeting. They told me what an awesome job I had done, however, the district had decided that my position was no longer necessary and they were not renewing my contract for the following school year. I was in my early 30s and lost. I didn’t see at the time what opportunities lay ahead of me. Had I not parted ways with the school district, I wouldn’t worked in healthcare, I wouldn’t have started public speaking, I wouldn’t have gone for my Master’s, and I wouldn’t have built the network of amazing people I have in my life!
Nicholette, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have been working at Comprehensive Therapy Center for almost a year now and I can’t express how much I love being a part of an organization that is innovative, active in the community, dedicated to the populations we serve, and socially minded.
In 1982, Speech-Pathologist, Jean Silbar, noticed that her students would often fall behind over the summer, causing them to be unprepared for the school year ahead. This is often referred to as “summer setback.” Studies have indicated that students lose about 25-30% of what they learned during the school year. This gap is wider for children from lower-income families and those with learning/developmental disabilities. To mitigate this, Jean started the summer program, Therapy & Fun. From this first program, Comprehensive Therapy Center has grown to serve over 700 families a month through our work in schools, our award-winning programming, and in our clinic. Our services include speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, dance/movement therapy, social work, educational psychology, community-based programs, and more.
Over the past two years, we have launched programs focusing on the needs of our community, including The Diversity in Healthcare Youth Project (DiHC). This program aims to prepare, guide, and support marginalized youth pursuing a career in healthcare. The program is open to high school students and consists of seven 90-minute workshops led by guest speakers from diverse backgrounds. These speakers share their experiences in the healthcare industry and provide advice on overcoming barriers (social, financial, etc). By talking to these professionals, especially those who represent their identities and backgrounds, the students can get a better understanding of what to expect and build confidence to get a head start on their future. After attending DiHC, students have the opportunity to volunteer at our flagship program, Therapy & Fun. Throughout the program, volunteers assist clients with transferring between therapies, providing extra support during activities, and being a buddy throughout the program that clients can rely on. Since the creation of Therapy & Fun, we’ve worked with over 700 volunteers total and the individuality, energy, and positivity they bring to the program is irreplaceable. The children develop a bond with the volunteers and are eager to show off their ongoing accomplishments to their new friends. Volunteers are trained by our therapists on childhood development, therapy techniques, and given career advice. By providing these opportunities, we are empowering our youth to advocate, lead, and spread awareness and support for neurodiverse children; shaping future generations and ensuring the growth and development of the healthcare industry as a whole.
Therapy & Fun is a seven-week program where children ages 3-14 with a range of disabilities attend three days a week and participate in activities facilitated by our therapists (speech, occupational, and dance-movement) and peer-to-peer volunteers. Activities include games, crafts, music, and more. Over the summer, clients are able to build their speech, motor, and social skills so they can be prepared for the school year ahead. Clients learn new everyday skills that will improve their quality of life. These skills are learned in an environment that promotes patience and encouragement. By allowing children to do things that interest them and making things fun, they get the therapy they need without even realizing it!
We don’t stop there! We also have two programs specifically for preschoolers. Therapeutic Play & Learn Groups are for families of children ages 0-5 with developmental differences. At these sessions, children will take part in activities, games, and crafts facilitated by our trained, pediatric speech, occupational and dance-movement therapists. While the children learn and play, their adults get the opportunity to connect with therapists and learn about early childhood development and how they can ensure healthy growth of their child at home. This program is funded by the generosity of Kent County taxpayers and the voter-approved Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage. This fall we are launching a new program to introduce preschoolers to the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. At Full STEAM Ahead, children investigate, collaborate, communicate, problem solve, and use creativity as they explore these subjects with our therapists. Full STEAM Ahead is open to children 2-5 years old and is designed to introduce concepts of STEAM to enrich communication, motor and cognitive skills. This program is specifically tailored towards children with developmental disabilities (diagnosed or otherwise), but all are welcome to join!
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I have a strong passion for helping people. I know firsthand how hard and cruel the world can be, but also how beautiful and compassionate it can be. Growing up, we struggled. Many times we were the recipients of help. Because of this, I want to be able to give that help back out to my community. Working in the non-profit world feeds my soul. I know at the end of the day, what I do has a positive impact on the world. If I could go back in time, I would work all the same jobs all over again! Every one of them taught me valuable lessons, opened different doors, taught me valuable skills, showed me where my boundaries were, and introduced me to amazing people.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
One thing that will make you successful in any field is networking. Networking gives you opportunities that may not have on your own. Getting out and networking gives you visibility. The more people you get in front of, the more people you can share your business, cause, or organization with. Not only will this help you gain confidence, but a larger audience who can support you. Your network may also provide opportunities. Pathways for new revenue, job opportunities, invitations to cool events… You also build credibility around your brand with visibility.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.therapycenter.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ctc_gr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapycenter
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholettedriggs/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/ctc_gr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Mad0zUdJSpxq_MQG-6OWg
Image Credits
CTC Marketing & Development Team