Children’s Village Receives Autism Grant

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

November 21, 2011

November 21, 2011

On Thursday, November 17th we were thrilled to learn that we received a $204,000 grant from The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust!

This grant will fund autism, behavioral and mental health therapies at Children’s Village and it will allow further exploration of medical and educational models between Children’s Village and area school districts. Currently, 1 in every 110 children suffers from Autism Spectrum Disorder, and an astonishing 30-40% of young children have behavioral, mental health and learning problems. Autism causes a wide range of social, emotional, behavioral and communicative disruptions, and the early intervention services provided by Children’s Village are at the forefront of innovations having a significant impact on children’s long-term learning experiences.

It is with great enthusiasm and gratitude that we welcome The Murdock Trust as a recurring Memorial Foundation and Children’s Village partner. This is the fourth grant since Children’s Village began in 1997 that The Murdock Trust has provided funding for vital programs and expansion at the Village. Just two years ago in 2009, they granted $230,000 to the Children’s Village Capital Campaign.

We are always eager to share the innovative array of services that Children’s Village provides for children with special needs, and the fact that it truly is a one-of-a-kind, nationally recognized organization. It is thrilling when institutions outside of our community recognize the importance and benefit of participating in our collaborative efforts!

Leslie Whiteside, Grants Coordinator
The Memorial Foundation

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Let’s Raise $10,000

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

Can we raise $10,000 in an hour? I think it’s possible!

We have a donor who is willing to match up to $10,000 for every gift that comes in from 8am to 9am!

So, if we can raise $10,000 then it’s actually $20,000!

$20,000 for Hospice, Children’s Village, the NICU, Pediatric Therapy and so much more.

Will you give $20? Would you consider $100?

Make your gift this morning and watch as the impact of your donation spreads throughout our community.

Call into the Standard Paint and Flooring Phone Bank at (509) 965-2515 or go to www.biggiveday.com to donate online.

Every dollar counts!

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Promise Awards Honors Children’s Village History

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

On Thursday, November 3rd hundreds gathered at the 4th Street Theater to honor the families, service providers, philanthropists and partner organizations who made Children’s Village possible in the Yakima community.

The event included honoring people from seven categories including specialty medical clinic, visionary volunteer, leadership in children’s health, corporate community energizer, youth engagement, inspiring family and distinguished philanthropist.

Hundreds of nominations poured in from around the community, highlighting many of the dedicated and inspiring people who have impacted Children’s Village.

The following nominees were awarded at the Promise Awards:

Champion in Clinical Care: Children’s Village Medical Director Dr. Diane Liebe, Dr. Mark Koday, and JoAnne Jennings

Visionary Volunteer: Central Washington Cleft lip and Palate team including coordinator Linda Linneweh, Dr. Charles Gilmore, Dr. Chris Hauge, and Dr. Kerry Harthcock.

Leadership in Children’s Health: Dr. Don Gargas

Corporate Community Energizer: KIT-1280 radio/Townsquare Media

Youth Engagement: Eisenhower High School student body, accepting Mr. Jim Wright and Beryl Lennington

Inspiring Family: Bob Lynch family

Distinguished Philanthropist:  Pat Temple

“The magic was in the air!  What an event, the first Promise Awards were a huge success.  We can be proud of the work and dedication of many individuals who have a long history with the Village. The families were shining with pride – so many inspiring words and moments,” Children’s Village Director Jackie McPhee said.

For 16 years, Children’s Village has been a safe haven for children with special health care needs and their families to receive the specialized services they need in an inclusive, compassionate environment.

 

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Yakima Awards Ceremony: The Promise Awards

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

After months of planning and organizing, the Promise Awards are finally here. On Thursday, November 3, hundreds of community members, health professionals, families and donors will convene at the 4th Street Theatre to be honored and thanked for their years of service and dedication to Children’s Village.

What we sometimes take for granted or maybe just don’t know that much about is a resource in our community that is heralded and modeled after across the country. Sixteen years ago, community agencies and donors came together to build a state-of-the-art center to serve the varied and complicated needs of children with special health care needs.

Today, the building has been expanded, and services happen inside and outside the building providing specialty health care, dental, therapeutic services and many outlets for families to connect and receive support.

Until now, there just hadn’t been a time to say thank you.

Thank you for making a difference in our community.

Thank you for raising funds to provide services to these special kids.

Thank you for bringing your children here and in small simple ways, giving them a voice in our community.

We hope to see you on Thursday. There’s still time to RSVP and join us for this special night. Your $100 ticket will benefit programs at Children’s Village.

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A Reason To Celebrate!

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

A Reason to Celebrate

Children’s Village began as a dream and a vision among dedicated community members and organizations to meet the ever-growing needs of children with special health care needs and their families.

What grew out of that vision is now so much more than a bricks and mortar building. For 16 years, Children’s Village has been a philosophy of care, a safe haven, an advocate, a resource, an opportunity to bear witness and a pillar of strength for this community.

Children with special health care needs and their families receive the specialized services they need in an inclusive, compassionate environment. Whether treatment, therapies or exams take place in the home, at school, at the Village itself or through one of its partner organizations; everyone at children’s Village believes the same thing. Help kids be the very best kids they can be.

Join us to celebrate this remarkable journey at the Promise Awards on November 3, 2011 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the 4th Street Theatre in Yakima, Washington.

Celebrate the families who have watched their children blossom and grow through services at Children’s Village.

Celebrate the physicians, professionals, volunteers and staff who have made a difference in the lives of children.

Celebrate the visionary and generous donors from this community who made this promise possible.

And celebrate the youth who have given their time and talents to mentor, fundraise and volunteer at Children’s Village.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by Children’s Village, then consider joining us for this special evening. It is a night set aside simply to say thank you.

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NICU Follow-Up Clinic

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

NICU Follow-Up Clinic

We know that babies born early are prone to developmental delays and have higher risk factors depending on how early and what happened at birth. Premature babies require extra care in their first year to ensure they develop normally. This is a collaboration between the primary care physician and neurodevelopmental specialists.

At Children’s Village NICU Follow-Up clinic, babies are seen starting at 4-months adjusted age to track developmental milestones and help families get any resources they might need. Adjusted age is a term for tracking a babies’ development from when they should have been born.

If babies are developing normally, they are seen once more at 12-months adjusted age for a final assessment. If concerns or delays are detected at the initial assessment, babies are seen monthly to implement a treatment plan. For some babies all that’s needed from the Follow-Up clinic is a few simple exercises to do at home and for others its physical therapy or a referral to a specialist.

Jennie Olson, Children’s Village nurse practitioner, established the program to provide families with a resource that specializes specifically on the developmental milestones of their baby.

“I didn’t want to duplicate any services that these families already receive with their primary care provider,” Olson said. “I am looking through a lense of prematurity when I’m working with these babies, and my assessment is purely developmental.”

When parents meet with Jennie they get an entire hour to ask questions, talk through worries and celebrate as their children grow and thrive.

“It’s by far the most inspirational day of the month,” Olson said.

The NICU Follow-Up clinic is funded through Washington State under neurodevelopment screening. The State will convene for a special session in November to decide if they can continue to fund neurodevelopment and other vital programs for children with special needs. If funding goes away, so does the NICU Follow-Up Clinic starting January 1, 2012.

To learn more about this program and funding at risk join us for an informational meeting at Children’s Village on October 27th from 12pm-2pm.

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Forthcoming Events at Children’s Village

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

Children’s Village events coming up:

  • October 25th, Lunch and Learn, 12pm-1pm, Children’s Village
  • October 27th, Community meeting (proposed legislative cuts, open to the public), 12-2pm, Children’s Village
  • November 3rd, Promise Awards, 5:30-7:30pm, Black Box theatre

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Taylor Williams

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

Taylor Williams and her parents have been coming to Children’s Village since she was an infant. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Taylor’s parents have been extremely proactive in getting the services and therapies she needs.

Now 4-years-old, Taylor is starting the process of getting fitted for a wheelchair. The family comes to Children’s Village to get fittings for the chair and for Taylor to learn how to operate a wheelchair.

Sarah, Taylor’s mom, is a nurse at Memorial Hospital and Taylor attends the Memorial daycare several days a week. Last month, the Kids on the Block puppeteers visited Taylor’s classroom hosting a puppet show for the children.

Kids on the Block is a disability awareness training put on by specially-trained high school students from around the Valley. They go to preschools, church groups and elementary schools to do presentations.

“Taylor was so excited the day the puppets came to her school because one of the puppets was in a wheelchair,” Sarah said. “We happened to have a chair fitting appointment that same week and Taylor seemed relaxed and comfortable with the chair.”

The Kids on the Block presentation is a powerful tool to bring awareness to our community. In Taylor’s case, meeting the puppet helped her feel more comfortable with the wheelchair.

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The Gift of Pillow Pets

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

IMG 1918 The Gift of Pillow PetsOn the surface it is a simple moment of generosity, the gift of 20 pillow pets for kids at Children’s Village. But these small acts make a huge difference in the lives of children and families who come to Children’s Village.

An encouraging word from one parent to another, a pillow pet for a sick child, a kind practitioner willing to go the extra mile to do the research or try something new with a frightened or upset child, or the volunteer who gifts time and resources because they believe in the mission; what appears small in the moment has a ripple effect on so many.

The Youth Group from Open Heart Baptist church donated Pillow Pets to Children’s Village this summer to be donated to children going through a health crisis.

Last week, Tracie Hoppis, Parent to Parent Coordinator at Children’s Village, took a pink lady bug pillow to a CV patient currently hospitalized at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. The patient soon found out she would be transported to Seattle Children’s Hospital and her new ‘friend’ was the comfort she needed to make the journey.

Thank you to Open Heart Baptist Church and to all the other families, volunteers, donors and providers who go out of their way to make a difference.

 

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Yakima Kids on the Block

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Children's Village Admin

When Kids on the Block puppeteer’s visited the Memorial Hospital Early Learning Center this summer, they had no idea the impact they would have on one little girl.

Kids on the Block provide educational puppet programs that enlighten children on the issues of disability awareness, medical and educational differences, and social concerns. Volunteers are trained to become puppeteers and help present skits to groups of people at schools, community centers, parks, and other settings.

After performing several skits for the children, one in particular about a little boy who is in a wheel chair, a little girl in the audience gestured over and over to herself and the puppet in excitement. The little girl has cerebral palsy and doesn’t walk.

Her mother revealed that later that day they had gone for her daughter’s first wheelchair fitting and lesson and her daughter had done very well at the appointment. The mother was convinced it had to do with the puppet’s visit.

A seemingly small moment makes a big impact on a young girl. She understands that there are other special and unique people like her and the youth who embark into the community to talk about disability awareness are reminded that it’s not just community service; their efforts DO make a difference.

To get involved with Kids on the Block, click HERE.

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