CIAO
Through their commitment to taking care of fellow therapists, Career Improvement & Advancement Opportunities (CIAO) provides affordable quality continuing education courses that will enhance therapists’ marketability and skills, ultimately benefiting patients. CIAO’s courses and services provide a network that facilitates support - personally, clinically and professionally. CIAO is an Approved Provider for the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
CIAO was founded in 1999 by Lesley Mateer, M.A. CCC-SLP. As an SLP, Lesley left direct patient care to create a company dedicated to taking care of fellow therapists. In 1999, in the midst of the Payroll Personell System Initiative, she was asked to create a third list of lay-offs, due in one hour. Knowing the great therapists that survived the first two lay-offs, she called her husband and said she just couldn’t go through another round of layoffs. To her surprise, he said “put YOUR name on the list.” And so she did.. That evening, when Lesley returned home, her husband asked what she wanted to do with her life. She said she needed to be around therapists, but it had to be positive - helpful - happy. And so CIAO was created.
In addition to putting together a total package of the most up-to-date tools and resources for treatment teams in various populations, at some of the lowest rates in the country, CIAO partners with companies that share the same vision. Together with their partners, CIAO provides professional board recognized CEUs to those organizations that see the importance of integrity, quality education for healthcare professionals and most up-to-date treatment of patients. Being a health care professional takes a passionate creative person. CIAO understands that dedication and brings these courses to cities while giving therapists the attention deserved. CIAO, as well as our partners, truly enjoy taking care of people who dedicate their lives to taking care of others. “Save the Therapists!”
In April 2012, CIAO partnered with Oncology Rehab Partners to provide CEUs for healthcare professionals who successfully become STAR Certified™ Clincians. CEUs offered by CIAO through Oncology Rehab Partners will gain professional board recognition of the program as well as provide participants valuable credits for their successful completion of the course.
