Ms. Rebecca Austill-Clausen, founder of Austill’s Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Dr. Joseph J. O’Brien, CCIU executive director, Dr. Jacalyn Auris, CCIU director of student services and Mr. Robert DiSciullo, president of Austill’s Rehabilitation Services, Inc. accept the Award of Appreciation from Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA).
DOWNINGTOWN — The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) announced Wednesday that two of its executives are the recipients of the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) Award of Appreciation. Dr. Joseph J. O’Brien, CCIU executive director and Dr. Jacalyn Auris, CCIU director of student services, were honored for pioneering occupational therapy services to preschool and school-age students. Ms. Rebecca Austill-Clausen, founder of Austill’s Rehabilitation Services, Inc. and Mr. Robert DiSciullo, president of Austill’s Rehabilitation Services, Inc. nominated O’Brien and Auris to receive this prestigious award.
“The Chester County Intermediate Unit is being recognized for their incredibly innovative clinical and educational services that always have the child’s best interest at heart,” Austill-Clausen said. “CCIU is a leader in orchestrating unique, cost-effective and financially solvent therapeutic educational programs for children with special needs.”
For example, this year the CCIU, in partnership with Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit, launched Therapy Connect, a telepractice service that uses video conferencing platforms to deliver occupational, physical and speech therapy.
“The consistent support and unprecedented occupational therapy involvement in a huge variety of innovative home and community preschool and school-based services provided by the CCIU, under the excellent leadership of Dr. Joseph O’Brien and Dr. Jaclyn Auris, is remarkable and truly appreciated,” said Austill-Clausen.
The purpose of POTA’s Award of Appreciation is to recognize an individual or a group of individuals who have provided outstanding contributions to the advancement of occupational therapy.
“It is such an honor to be recognized for the types of services Dr. Auris and I feel to be an integral part of the CCIU’s mission,” O’Brien said. “Partnering with companies like Austill’s, educational leaders like Dr. Auris and organizations like POTA gives me great pride and motivation to continuously advocate for our students and the services they need and deserve.”
Auris echoed O’Brien’s sentiments, “Austill’s and POTA are true markers of the quality and achievement in occupational therapy practice and education and I am privileged to work alongside these amazing people.”
