All Staff 2023: Lights, Camera, Action!
What do you get when you combine milestone awards, inspirational speakers, and prize giveaways? The Rainbows Annual All Staff event of course. The annual gathering and celebration of Rainbows’ staff and board members took place this year on Monday, August 7 at Botanica Lotus Hall. Board members Pat Gearhart, Vera Bothner and Gail Johnson were […]
Impacts of Trauma and Toxic Stress on Young Children
As a Mental Health Specialist who works with children ages birth to five years, I often hear parents who are struggling with BIG FEELINGS from their little ones. Big feelings are common and developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers. However, when big feelings are caused by trauma and ongoing toxic stress, it is important for […]
Rainbows: We Are Family
Remember your summer job? Is there a lesson you learned or an experience that helped shape your future? Summer experiences are often full of learning about the world, other people and yourself. Often these experiences are influenced through a personal connection. Kaitlynn Rothwell’s twin brother, Christian has received services through Rainbows all of their 21 […]
Volunteers Add Magic to Camp
Camp Woodchuck is magical, but it doesn’t just magically happen without the time, talents and dedication of many Rainbows’ staff and volunteers. This is the story of the volunteers. After three years of in-home summer services (due to the pandemic), extra preparation was needed in order to welcome Rainbows’ youth back to Camp at Kids’ […]
Personal Experience Inspires DSP
Kara Collier, Direct Support Professional (DSP), was inspired to support youth with special needs because of her own experience with diagnoses of Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia in the 4th grade. “The hardships of school, social life, and home life were debilitating at times,” said Kara. “But the people who were there […]
3 Reasons to Call Rainbows
As someone who has worked at Rainbows for 30 years, I can say the number 1 reason parents call Rainbows is because their child is not developing like other children their age or like other siblings in the family. 2. Maybe the parent is a first-time parent and is not aware of what developmental milestones […]
Camp Experience Leads to Career
Crystal Arrington, Family Support Service Program Assistant Coordinator, has always had a passion for working with kids, and when she lost her dad unexpectedly in March of 2017, she mentioned to Rainbows’ Family Support Service Program Coordinator Tiffany Graf that she needed to find a summer job to keep her busy. Tiffany told her about […]
Shake, Rattle and Roll!
Camp Woodchuck, Rainbows’ summer camp for school-aged children with special needs, is in full swing! After three summers of in-home Camp due to Covid-19, we are excited to be back at Kids’ Cove! Camp is important to Rainbows’ youth and their families. “It means a lot to me that Carlos has a regular kid plan,” […]
Growing Up At Camp Woodchuck
When her newborn son Carlos was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Ana cried for 4 months. Her husband, Othon had been in an accident and was unable to work and she was completely overwhelmed. “I cried every day,” she said. “I kept asking, Why Me? Then I said to myself, Carlos is here, and I have […]
Is this just a stage?
Raising a child can be challenging. Even under the best circumstances, their behaviors and emotions can change frequently and rapidly. All children are sad, anxious, irritable, or aggressive at times, or they can occasionally find it challenging to sit still, pay attention, or interact with others. In most cases, they are just typical developmental phases. […]
