NEWS & RESOURCES – OLD
A Collection of News Articles and Helpful Resources

Inside we have the roaring return of Rockin’ at Riverfest, our inaugural Juneteenth celebration, the newly minted Randal S. Bloch Family Visitation Center, the Heidt Center Minecraft Club and so much more!

Check out this article by one of our experts at Best Point Behavioral Health. She discusses a powerful tool how it benefits everyone, especially young, developing minds.

Vicarious trauma is something we don’t talk about enough in helping professions,” says Dani Green, vicepresident of counseling programs at Best Point Behavioral Health by The Children’s Home. “It’s very real and I thinkit’s important this week to recognize and bring awareness to the topic.


As our FY for 2021 nears its end, we detail some accomplishments and impacts from a year like no other. Click the link to check out our annual president’s report!

Amanda Tipkemper, education and autism services director at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health, testifies before the Budget and Finance Committee at the City Council budget hearings held on June 8, 2021. Amanda explains the importance of job readiness programming at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health, its impact on the community and asks the committee to continue funding this life-changing resource. Click the link to see her testimony on our YouTube Channel!

Our friends at PACES (Positive + Adverse Childhood Experiences) interviewed our own Carolyn Brinkmann, director to early childhood and school age services, about a tragic phenomenon in the United States. Did you know preschoolers are three times as likely to be expelled from school than elementary, middle and high school-aged students?

Caitlyn Lynch, autism intervention specialist at the Heidt Center, developed the lesson plans for her students participating in Minecraft Club. She said the immersive, detailed environment rewards skillsets and attributes like critical thinking and dynamic planning.

"It’s imperative and incumbent on all community service organizations as well as our civic, business, clergy, and scholarly communities to keep these topics at the forefront of the conversation. It is my hope our neighbors and friends will echo our call to action of pledging solidarity with the AAPI community."

Have you ever considered how a random roll of cosmic dice could have altered life circumstances for anyone? Check out this insightful op-ed by The Children’s Home’s Chief Administrative Officer Roderick Hinton published by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Check out some highlights from our latest art, history & science fair!

Check out the latest report to Best Point Education & Behavioral Health's Board of Trustees from President and CEO John Banchy.

"Saying I'm proud of Best Point Education & Behavioral Health's reaction to national-level issues such as COVID-19 and the topic of social justice is a vast understatement." - John Banchy, President and CEO

"I think Rain Man did a great job in calling attention to autism and humanizing the diagnosis," said Amanda Tipkemper, education and autism services director at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health. "It was a springboard for making it part of the national vernacular, but it also created a stereotype that all people with autism are savants, which is not the case at all."

Cheryl Johnson, Quinntez Johnson, and Shiniah Johnson are clients in Every Child Succeeds, a Children's Home partner program.

“Real mental health needs among vulnerable populations have the utmost attention of parents, educators and the medical community,” said John Banchy, president and CEO of The Children’s Home. “My deepest appreciation is extended to CareSource who is helping us continue to advance and modify our efforts in real-time to remain relevant and impactful. Community allies like these have supported us in staying open, available, and ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”

Parents can use the FVC (Family Visitation Center) when a judge or magistrate from the court orders supervised parenting time.

African American History Month was officially designated as an annual celebration and acknowledgement of the African American community's accomplishments and history in 1976.

Author Ken Blanchard once said, "The greatest leaders mobilize others by coalescing people around a shared vision."

Sidewinder Coffee and Best Point Education & Behavioral Health are collaborating to formulate a one-of-a-kind coffee blend to raise funds to support children and families in need during the holiday season.

Best Point Education & Behavioral Health was pleased to welcome Hope Squad founder Dr. Greg Hudnall to our campus today.

Best Point Education & Behavioral Health has assumed responsibility of the Cincinnati Arts and Technology Studios (CATS) to increase the capability of the agency's portfolio of programs design to provide hope, help and healing to at-risk children and families in the Tri-State.

An Upper School student at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is preparing for a successful transition to his home school district after the completion of his first semester at the agency's main campus in Madisonville.

"'I can't say enough about Kai,' says Elijahjuan Pennington, upper school educational aide at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health. 'He's one of my best students, best athletes, has great perspectives to share in class and holds other classmates accountable.'"

Behavioral Health Counseling Therapist incorporates virtual therapy environments to facilitate counseling services for young clients.

We're excited to bring you a new feature - Seasons of Transformation: The official newsletter of Best Point Education & Behavioral Health. Here you will find a great snapshot of the latest and greatest happenings at Cincinnati's premiere nonprofit agency that has supported children and families of Greater Cincinnati for 156 years!

"Behavioral health experts from Best Point Education & Behavioral Health offer advice, tips and tools for parents and caregivers to ease the anxiety many families are feeling."

"Parents and children at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health Family Visitation Center, at 5014 Madison Road, can maintain the life-essential bond between parent and child by using specialized services provided at the Family Visitation Center."

"Imagine being a first-time, expectant mother with no real support network to turn to."

A letter from President and CEO John Banchy to partner educators as well as some news and highlights from The Children’s Home.

“Your support continues to help us make positive impacts on our community. We've compiled some very illustrative data that shows how, with the help of our supporters, volunteers and partners we're able to continue to make a difference. The needs of the vulnerable children and families we support don't disappear because of a crisis. And neither do we.”

“An Every Child Succeeds (ECS) client served by Best Point Education & Behavioral Health recently shared the impact of the agency's services have had on her and her child.”

“In the past, people who had been diagnosed with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome shared similar characteristics; like the sensitivity when it came to textures and lights, the need to follow a routine or a certain schedule. Today, there is no longer a diagnosis for Asperger’s. Debbie Gingrich, vice president for Behavioral Health at Best Point by The Children’s Home describes why.”

“Compassion fatigue, also known as secondary stress reaction, describes a type of stress from helping or wanting to help those who are traumatized or under some type of emotional distress.”

“A recent natural survey of youths aged 13-19 has uncovered that seven of every 10 teenagers are struggling with mental health issues.”

“The parent support group is the brainchild of Karen Hargis, school-based day treatment therapist at Best Point Education & Behavioral Health. Hargis says the sole purpose of the group is to focus on supporting parents and guardians who have children enrolled in the agency's school-based day treatment services.”

“The long-term effects of dehumanizing Black Americans has recently been highlighted in the media and the hearts of many. The parameters of black identity are being redefined and people are finally ready to celebrate blackness.”

“The emerging 'new normal' for working parents has blurred the lines of what were formerly very clear distinctions between work and home life as millions of Americans are teleworking because of COVID-19.”

“We have been presented with a real chance to enact positive change, only limited by our resourcefulness and our will. While injustice among marginalized populations is now at the forefront of the national conversation, The Children’s Home encourages our neighbors and friends to join the conversation of justice in productive, thoughtful and meaningful ways.”

“The first ever 'drive-thru graduation' by Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is scheduled for Monday, May 18, 6 p.m. at the circule drive located on the agency's main campus in Madisonville where 17 graduating seniors will be recognized by the non-profit organization.”

“Best Point Education & Behavioral Health announced today that the nonprofit agency was awarded a $456,871 grant from the Federal Communications Commission.”

“Best Point Education & Behavioral Health's pandemic childcare program has received a timely grant from the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund in a collaborative effort made possible with the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and United Way.”

“A Cincinnati Reds outfielder has generously donated to The Children’s Home pandemic childcare program.”

“Our autism services students couldn't have their traditional door decorating contest in their classrooms for autism awareness month... so they decorated their doors at home instead!”

“Some moms don't have the option of working from home because their job involves saving lives at a time when our community needs them most.”

"Best Point Education & Behavioral Health has been selected as one of the 2020 Best Nonprofits to Work For by the NonProfit Times, a leading national business publication for non-profit organizations."

"'It is quite possible, and medically proven, that one can literally worry themselves sick,' said Dr. Joe Rieman, medical director of Best Point Education & Behavioral Health."

"Governor Mike DeWine on Thursday, March 12, directed all schools in Ohio to close at the end of the scheduled school day beginning Monday, March 16, as a precautionary measure. It's also important to note what Best Point Education & Behavioral Health has been doing prior to, and immediately after, the governor's decision."

"Each human being experiences the world in unique ways. This often translates into how we learn."

"An empty box is full of possibilities and provides kids with an opportunity for creativity and make-believe play."

"Students in the autism services program at the Heidt Center of Excellence recently spent the day at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio."

"Best Point Education & Behavioral Health Family Visitation Program recently marked it's 1-year anniversary of service to parents and children, which was initially launched in partnership with the Hamilton County Domestic Relations Court."

Join us in a look back through history to celebrate African-American History month this year!

"For centuries, parents and educators have known that children love to play with objects known as 'building blocks,' 'alphabet blocks,' or simply 'toy blocks.'"

"Students at the Heidt Center of Excellence recently began training at Got Special Kids to learn workplace skills any employer would find valuable."

"Social media applications can be a way for youth to express themselves, learn about other cultures and ideas, and find information. At the same time, social media exposes youth to risks such as cyber-bullying, catfishing, and other online predators."

"PTSD has become common language in today's world, but what actually is it?"

"There are literally millions of computer and phone apps in cyberspace. It can be challenging for parents to keep up with and what's out there and what their teens are exposed to. Best Point Education & Behavioral Health took a look at the top apps teens are using in 2020."

"Thanks to the generous community of Greater Cincinnati, passionate volunteers, partner organizations and individual donors, we have hundreds of HUGS stories to share. Here is one of them."

"According to a study called Map the Meal Gap 2019, nearly 140,000 people in Hamilton County alone have what the academic and professional communities call 'food insecurities.' In Clermont County, there are another 22,440.'"

"Vaping is a term commonly associated with using electronic or 'e-cigarettes.' Other names include 'e-cigs,' 'e-hookahs,' 'mods,' 'vape pens,' 'vapes,' and 'tank systems.'"

"Join us as our kids learn about homelessness in Greater Cincinnati."

"Best Point Education & Behavioral Health of Cincinnati will continue to provide prevention and early intervention services to youth and will remain vigilant about upcoming trends such as a rising use of e-cigarettes, commonly referred to as 'vaping.'"

"The benefits of school sanctioned sports are many and constructive," said Melissa Grondin, autism services associate principal and one of Heidt Center's coaches.

Budget Bootcamp is a unique exercise that equips students to make realistic financial and other related "real life" decisions while navigating a Game of Life experience.

Mike's Carwash stopped by our Red Bank Expressway campus Sept. 11, which houses Best Point Education & Behavioral Health Autism Services and preschool programs, and presented the students with a check for nearly $14,000.

Best Point Education & Behavioral Health of Cincinnati recently announced the official co-chairs for this year's Rockin' at Riverfest, scheduled for Sept. 1 at Smale Riverfront Park.

Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship, according to the American Art Therapy Association.

Fourteen students from Best Point Education & Behavioral Health of Cincinnati's Autism Services program graduated on May 20 with their high school diplomas at a ceremony in the gymnasium located on Best Point Education & Behavioral Health main campus.

Best Point Education & Behavioral Health of Cincinnati has been officially named one of the 2019 Best Workplaces in Ohio!

The science behind food nutrition illustrates that the nutrients found in these kinds of foods aid in brain function, better behavior and even academic test performance.

"Stay calm. Take a deep breath. Remember, your child is really just talking to you."

New studies are starting to question if the difference in prevalence can be accounted for the difficulty in identifying girls on the spectrum.

Learn about how allowing children on the spectrum to "reboot" when they get home can help.