Northeast Arc’s Jessica Brudnick works with 8-month-old Noah Adams of Lynn. (Photo by Paula Muller)
By Paul Halloran
SWAMPSCOTT — When Swampscott resident Jessica Brudnick made the decision to pursue a career in social work, dedicating herself to children born with risk factors and disabilities, it was in many ways a decision that was shaped from the moment she entered this world, prematurely, nearly 27 years ago.
“I’ve always been passionate about working in and giving back to the world of Early Intervention, which gave me and my family so much,” said Brudnick.
Brudnick was born at 26 weeks, weighing a little more than two pounds, and spent her first two months in the neonatal intensive care unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She battled gastrointestinal issues, a double hernia requiring surgery and a bloodstream infection. She was later moved to the special care nursery at Salem Hospital and from there referred to Early Intervention services for her motor delays, as well as sensory and feeding difficulties.
“My mom has said the Early Intervention program was such a tremendous support during a difficult and unpredictable time,” said Brudnick. “My parents didn’t know what the future would hold, but having that professional guidance made all the difference. It gave them hope and courage.”
That is exactly what Brudnick wants to provide to the families she services through Northeast Arc’s Early Intervention program — an integrated developmental service available to families of children from birth to age 3 consisting of home visits, center-based visits, assessments, parent-child groups, parent support groups, service coordination, referral and transition assistance. Brudnick is a member of the non-profit organization’s North Shore team of professionals that serve Danvers, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, Saugus and Swampscott. She currently works with 15 families, visiting with each family on a weekly basis.
“I’ve already had a wonderful experience in such a short amount of time,” said Brudnick, who started work in May. “I’m truly excited about the future.”
Northeast Arc’s early intervention services are designed for children with identified disabilities such as cerebral palsy, down syndrome or autism; those with developmental delays, as in walking or speaking; or those at risk for delays in development due to risk factors related to birth and/or environmental circumstances. In addition to social workers such as Brudnick, services are provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists, a nurse, speech pathologists and developmental specialists.
“I’d heard nothing but amazing things about Northeast Arc and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity be part of this program and provide local families with strategies and support,” said Brudnick.
Following her own Early Intervention care — which she deems a success — Brudnick was on track developmentally and went on to thrive in Swampscott Public Schools, graduating from Swampscott High in 2008. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston and her master’s in social work at Salem State University. She is qualified as both a licensed certified social worker and school adjustment counselor.