10/24/11 - Bi-Lo Charities gift funds developmental behavioral pediatric services

Bi-Lo Charities recently made a $15,000 donation to the Institute to help fund psychological assessment, diagnostic and treatment tools used with children visiting the Siskin Children’s Institute-T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital Center for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. This gift represents a portion of the $321,000 worth of funds that Bi-Lo Charities handed out recently to a number of Chattanooga-area organizations. This is the 33^rd year that Bi-Lo Charities has made a donation to the Institute.

The pediatric center offers assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support for children with or at risk for developmental behavioral delays and disorders. Led by a full-time, triple board certified developmental behavioral pediatrician, the center specializes in early identification of delays and disorders in children ages 6 weeks to18 years. Families also receive comprehensive support services through a variety of therapy and outreach services.

The pediatric center opened in July 2009 and has filled a significant need in the region. During the 2010-11 fiscal year, the pediatric center served 922 patients from 149 communities in 11 states and Russia. The 2010-11 figures represent a 50 percent increase in the number of patients and a 22 percent increase in the number of communities served as compared to the 2009-10 fiscal year when the pediatric center served 614 patients from 122 communities.

“Bi-Lo Charities recognizes the great need for the specialized services that our pediatric center offers in our region,” said Jerry Jensen, president and CEO of the Institute. “We appreciate their generous gift that will help hundreds of children and their families get the help they need.”