Communication Matters

07/12/2021

A month ago, Communication Matters turned 24 and we are so pleased to have served this community for so long! Make sure to keep checking our website for exciting new updates and stay healthy!

04/02/2021

This Autism Awareness Day, instead of just trying to show the world how much you know, please consider asking some questions, too.

Since Autism is so very complex, it is best to look for answers in more than one place.

Don't forget to ask the people who HAVE Autism.

03/25/2021

Communication Matters (@CommMattersNP) | Twitter

Follow us on Twitter! We are branching out to expand our online presence twitter.com/commmattersnp 😀

The latest Tweets from Communication Matters (@CommMattersNP). Communication Matters is a Speech-Language Pathology Private Practice serving individuals and families of all ages in the Conejo Valley. Thousand Oaks, CA

03/25/2021

ASHA Statement on Racism and Violence Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

We stand with Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and continue to uphold our standards of openness and non-discrimination. https://www.asha.org/news/2021/asha-statement-on-racism-and-violence-against-asian-americans-and-pacific-islanders/

(Rockville, MD) The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) strongly condemns the escalating violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, most recently manifested by this week’s mass shooting in Atlanta. We mourn for the victims of that tragedy and their ...

03/17/2021

We have a new home! As you may have guessed, we are no longer located at 810 Lawrence Drive. If you would like to visit us, the address of our new office is 3205 Old Conejo Road Suite 202A, Newbury Park, CA 91320. This location is by appointment only, as we are still seeing clients virtually. If you would like to write to us, please send all correspondence to PO Box 19387, Newbury Park, CA 91319. Thank you for all your support!

We have a new home! As you may have guessed, we are no longer located at 810 Lawrence Drive. If you would like to visit us, the address of our new office is 3205 Old Conejo Road Suite 202A, Newbury Park, CA 91320. This location is by appointment only, as we are still seeing clients virtually. If you would like to write to us, please send all correspondence to PO Box 19387, Newbury Park, CA 91319. Thank you for all your support!

03/17/2021

Speech-Language Pathology A Professional Corporation

I’m pleased to announce that our new website is up and running! https://communicationmatters.us

"Enhancing Lives Through Communication"

03/15/2021

We have a new email address associated with our domain, [email protected]

Please direct all correspondences to this address. Our former emails will be merged with this new email account. Additionally, our website is currently down, but the new godaddy website will be up and running soon!

To clarify, we are not associated with the businesses at our former address on Lawrence Drive in Newbury Park. If you are interested in booking an appointment, please call the number listed. Thank you!

11/05/2020

Hello Facebook world !

Are you finding that your child(ren) are not strong readers? Well, we have a limited number of spots for 3 month cycles of the Fast ForWord family of programs. Completed at home, with professional support and guidance, FFW is designed to improve memory, attention, processing, and sequencing. These are foundational skills for learning, not only reading.

So, if you, or someone you know, is interested....contact Mindy at [email protected].

Special pricing packages makes this more affordable than ever...dont miss out, spots are limited.

Hello Facebook world !

Are you finding that your child(ren) are not strong readers? Well, we have a limited number of spots for 3 month cycles of the Fast ForWord family of programs. Completed at home, with professional support and guidance, FFW is designed to improve memory, attention, processing, and sequencing. These are foundational skills for learning, not only reading.

So, if you, or someone you know, is interested....contact Mindy at [email protected].

Special pricing packages makes this more affordable than ever...dont miss out, spots are limited.

06/12/2020

Hello friends!

Happy 23rd anniversary to us!

Communication Matters continues to be available for teletherapy. At this time, we have decided not to open the office for face to face, for the time being. We are thrilled that the majority of our clients are participating and thriving with sessions this way. We will keep everyone posted, as you know, things change daily!

We invite your questions, comments, and ideas !

Warm regards,
Lorraine Priceman and Mindy Newhouse

06/06/2020

Hello facebook friends. We hope that all of you are staying healthy.

We are pleased to offer speech therapy through video/teletherapy. It is going well! If you want to maximize progress this summer, our experienced speech pathologists have limited appointments available. Don't miss out!

In addition, we are excited to announce our kickoff of two programs.

For the 19th year, Mindy Newhouse offers the Scientific Learning family of Fast ForWord programs, including the Reading Series and Reading Assistant. Based on 40 years of scientific research, and more affordable than ever, less time intensive than before, and completed at your home. Individualized programs, including hybrid support available. Reach out to learn how your child can improve memory, attention, processing, and sequencing skills. These programs benefit reading, comprehension, and fluency. Limited spaces are available, message now to arrange a no obligation brief consultation

Mindy Newhouse will also be offering Zoom based "Mind Games with Mindy". Adult participants will be led through interesting tasks designed to stimulate memory, word finding, and social engagement. Laughing is mandatory! More info to follow...

Please know that Communication Matters, as we celebrate our 23rd Anniversary, has always had a policy of respect, compassion, equality, and non discrimination. We see you and we send our support.

Although we have made a decision to continue with teletherapy at this time, we continuously monitor our options and how best to support our clients, including when it is appropriate to resume in office services.

As always, we love to hear from you! And now, more than ever, we appreciate your consideration of posting Yelp and Google reviews. We thank you!

Mindy Newhouse and Lorraine Priceman

Co-director and speech language pathologists.

04/01/2020

Studio Channel Islands Art Center Provides Free Art Education Programs Online

Studio Channel Islands Art Center Provides Free Art Education Programs Online

CAMARILLO, CA –During the challenge of COVID-19 and the recent Stay-at-Home order by the governor’s office, young and old alike are seeking ways to stave of

03/20/2020

State of California Placed on "Stay at Home" Order Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020 — Conejo Valley Guide | Conejo Valley Events

State of California Placed on "Stay at Home" Order Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020 — Conejo Valley Guide | Conejo Valley Events

The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health is ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to follow the federal critical infrastructure sectors. How long will we s

03/19/2020

All of the Ventura County Office of Education districts are closed at least, until May 1, 2020.

03/18/2020

Hello CommMatters friends. We have limited services available and we are great at helping brainstorm ideas. Contact us!

03/14/2020

Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings

Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings

03/14/2020

Charter Communications offers free internet for student households, opens Wi-Fi hotspots

Charter Communications offers free internet for student households, opens Wi-Fi hotspots

As schools across Southern California and nationwide shut their doors and transition to remote instruction amid worries over the COVID-19 pandemic, a national internet provider is offering free onl…

03/14/2020

Adolfo Camarillo PTSA

03/14/2020

Conejo Valley Guide

Excerpts from CVUSD regarding school closures and free meals available for children during the closure period. More details at http://conejousd.org/Coronavirus-Health-Safety-Tips-and-Information

Note that CVUSD strongly recommends that "students stay home during the closure as much as possible and not gather in public places." A post earlier today from CRPD noted that local parks will be open during the closure. Gathering at parks could obviously cause challenges in maintaining a 6 foot "social distancing" protocol. Use your judgment but best arrangement of course is to stay home.

03/14/2020

Conejo Unified school district closure info. 3/13/2020

Dear CVUSD Community:

The public’s health and well-being is paramount to Conejo Valley Unified School District. Available at: conejousd.org/coronavirus is a copy of the recently declared public health emergency from Ventura County Public Health.

As a result of this declaration and in the interest of the health of our community, effective Monday, March 16, 2020 all CVUSD schools will be closed through Friday, March 20, 2020. This includes all CVUSD Preschool Programs, CVUSD Child Care, and Conejo Valley Adult Education. This decision was made in coordination with Ventura County Public Health, Ventura County Office of Education, and neighboring school districts. The decision regarding the potential extension of school closures will be made and communicated in advance of Friday, March 20, 2020.

CVUSD has received clearance from the California Department of Education to provide meals to students during this closure. The District will provide these meals at up to eight different school sites. Information regarding where and when families will be able to acquire meals for students will be directly communicated to families, as well as publicly posted on the District's website, and social media accounts.

Students are encouraged to remove needed materials from lockers, and classrooms when they depart school tomorrow, Friday, March 13th.

We understand that school closures have significant impacts on our students and families and we hope to resume normal operations as soon as possible. We thank you for your understanding during this challenging time.

More information will be communicated to you by tomorrow, Friday, March 13th at 2pm.

Sincerely,
Dr. Mark McLaughlin
Superintendent of CVUSD Schools

**************

Estimada Comunidad de CVUSD:

La salud y el bienestar del público son primordiales para el Distrito Escolar Unificado Conejo Valley. La emergencia de salud pública recientemente declarada del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Ventura es a: conejousd.org/coronavirus.

Como resultado de esta declaración y en el interés de la salud de nuestra comunidad, a partir del lunes 16 de marzo de 2020, todas las escuelas de CVUSD, incluidas las actividades co-curriculares, estarán cerradas hasta el viernes 20 de marzo de 2020. Esto incluye todos los programas preescolares de CVUSD , Cuidado de niños de CVUSD Child Care y la Escuela del Valley Conejo de Educación para Adultos también estarán cerrados. Esta decisión se tomó en coordinación con la Salud Pública del Condado de Ventura, la Oficina de Educación del Condado de Ventura y los distritos escolares vecinos. La decisión sobre la posible extensión de los cierres de escuelas se tomará y se comunicará antes del viernes 20 de marzo de 2020.

CVUSD recibió autorización del Departamento de Educación de California para proporcionar comidas a los estudiantes durante este cierre. El Distrito proporcionará estas comidas en ocho sitios escolares diferentes. La información sobre dónde y cuándo las familias podrán adquirir comidas para los estudiantes se comunicará directamente a las familias, y se publicará públicamente en el sitio web del Distrito y en las cuentas de las redes sociales.

Se alienta a los estudiantes a que retiren los materiales necesarios de los casilleros y salones de clase cuando salgan de la escuela mañana viernes 13 de marzo.

Entendemos que el cierre de escuelas tiene un impacto significativo en nuestros estudiantes y familias y esperamos reanudar las operaciones normales lo antes posible. Le agradecemos su comprensión durante este momento difícil.

Le enviaremos más información mañana, viernes 13 de marzo a las 2pm.

Sinceramente
Dr. Mark McLaughlin
Superintendente de las Escuelas de CVUSD

03/13/2020

Hello friends,

Communication Matters plans to stay open for those clients who choose to use universal precautions, with no illness or exposure, or travel outside the country. We will be staggering appointment times to reduce overlapping in the lobby. Since schools have closed, we believe we have more flexibility with some families and we will be in contact with you. We have removed books, magazines and toys from the lobby; please bring items to keep busy while awaiting your loved one. We are always cautious about sanitation and will be continuing and even increasing our policies for cleaning. We are considering teletherapy for those who are appropriate and who are interested. We are also able to schedule additional sessions for those who would like to intensify their program during this time. Please don't hesitate to contact us by phone (you will likely reach voicemail, but it is being checked frequently) 805-273-3870 or email [email protected].

Thank you for your understanding,

Mindy Newhouse, MS CCC SLP
Lorraine Priceman, MA CCC SLP
Owners and Directors
together with our Communication Matters team

03/13/2020

Simi Valley Unified School District

Simi Valley District's closure plan as of 3/12/2020.

Hello again Simi friends. Please see my latest SVUSD post regarding our schools and the Coronavirus.

March 12, 2020

Dear Simi Valley Community,

Like you, we are all concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus and the uncertainty it is creating in our daily lives.

Today, the Ventura County Public Health department declared a local health emergency, which will provide additional resources for coronavirus response. Because of this declaration and in the interest of the health of our community, Simi Valley Unified has decided to close all of our schools beginning Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 27th. We hope to reopen on Monday, March 30th after Spring Break, but that decision will depend on the circumstances at the time. We will update families about our plans no later than Friday, March 27th.

This closure is in support of the recommendations from public health officials to encourage “social distancing” to slow the spread of the virus. It is strongly recommended that students stay home during the closure as much as possible and do not gather in public places.

We understand that school closures have significant impacts on our students and families and we hope to resume normal operations as soon as possible. We will have more information to come regarding lunch distribution for families in need by Friday afternoon, March 13th. This Friday update will also include any other pertinent information. We do not make these decisions without enormous thought and input from county and state officials. Although at the time of this email, we have no active cases of the virus in Simi Valley, we feel this is the best decision we can make. We thank you for your understanding during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jason Peplinski
Superintendent, Simi Valley Unified School District

03/13/2020

Moorpark Unified School District

Moorpark School District's closure plan as of 3/12/2020.

Dear Moorpark families,
Like you, we are all concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus and the uncertainty it is creating in our daily lives. Today, the Ventura County Public Health department declared a local health emergency, which will provide additional resources for coronavirus response. Because of this declaration and in the interest of the health of our community, Moorpark Unified has decided to close all of our schools beginning Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 27th. This includes all sports, extra-curricular and after school activities. This closure is in support of the recommendations from public health officials to encourage "social distancing" to slow the spread of the virus. It is strongly recommended that students stay home during the closure as much as possible and do not gather in public places.

We hope to reopen on Monday, March 30th after Spring Break, but that decision will depend on the circumstances at the time. We will update families about our plans no later than Friday, March 27th.

We understand that school closures have significant impacts on our students and families and we hope to resume normal operations as soon as possible. We will provide more detailed information regarding lunch distribution for families in need and other pertinent information tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. We do not make these decisions without enormous thought and input from county and state officials. Although at the time of this email, we have no known active cases of the virus in Moorpark, we feel this is the best course of action. We thank you for your understanding during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelli Hays
District Superintendent