Create healthy screen time habits
In the age of Cocomelon, Paw Patrol, and the ever popular Baby Shark, avoiding the use of screen time in parenting has become near impossible. Covid-19 has led to an increase in screen usage as children are spending more time at home due to school and daycare closures. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not going anywhere and […]
The True Meaning of Life
As the Volunteer Coordinator for Rainbows United, I have the privilege of working with some of the most amazing, positive, giving people in the community. In this role, my days are filled with questions such as “How can I help?” “What do the children need?” “How can I make a difference?” I have always held […]
Laura and Leo tell their story
It was 1988 and after 2 weeks in the NICU, Laura was sent home with her parents, Jane and Randy who were completely unprepared on how to help their daughter. Laura was born with cerebral palsy and visual impairment. When Laura was 5 months old, a friend told them they needed to call Rainbows. The […]
Is my child too sick to go to child care?
Rainbows is thrilled to have the expertise in-house that a Registered Nurse offers, as the children, families, and staff of Rainbows benefit. Kathleen “Kat” Sauber, RN, received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University. Before joining Rainbows, she was an RN at Wesley Medical Center on the Labor and Delivery Unit. In […]
Love for niece inspires Development Coordinator
“My niece Claire was born prematurely at 29 weeks and weighed only 2 lbs. and 6 oz.,” said Kelsi Hinshaw, Development Coordinator. “It was such a scary time for my brother and sister in-law. Rainbows came to the NICU to visit them and explained all of the services that would be available to them if […]
Navigating Motherhood and Work
There is no question that becoming a parent induces a complete lifestyle shift. Even after spending months preparing for baby’s arrival and impending changes, I personally did not feel prepared for the return to work and motherhood balance. New mothers are expected to navigate the hormonal changes, finding childcare, figuring out new schedules, and exhaustion […]
Speech Therapy and Hearing Correction Impact Behavior
Twelve years ago, 2-year-old Zane was referred to Rainbows in Butler County with developmental delays, including speech delay and hearing impairment. Zane’s day care provider had just taken a class for continued education for her day care license and had learned about children’s behaviors and the causes, and she thought by watching him and paying […]
Person-first Language = Dignity and Respect
Person-first Language is a form of speaking and writing that puts the person before their disability or diagnosis. It provides the understanding that they are multifaceted and that their diagnosis or disability is just one aspect of them that contributes to their identity. Person-first language, also referred to as people-first language, is about dignity and […]
Dreams expand as son with Autism grows
When a child is diagnosed with a special need, it affects not only the child, but the entire family. Rainbows’ Targeted Case Management Program (TCM) provides personal assistance to families in finding and securing programs, services and financial aid their child needs. The youngest of four children, 10-year-old Nhygel has Autism. His family began receiving […]
Connecting Families to Resources
Rainbows’ Blarney Breakfast proceeds go directly to Rainbows’ Targeted Case Management (TCM) Program, but what exactly happens with TCM? “Rainbows United Targeted Case Managers enjoy connecting families and their children to resources and advocating for funding for items, supplies, or supportive care,” said Lynlea Southards, Targeted Case Management and Autism Services Coordinator. “For example, when […]
