Helping youth through change and transition
“Rainbows is a part of every aspect of our lives,” said Jeannie, Caleb’s mother. “They’ve been there for us since Caleb was a 3-year-old with an autism diagnosis and it’s such a relief they’re still there for us now.” Jeannie’s aunt, Susan Bliss, is a Direct Support Professional at Rainbows. When Jeannie needed help, Susan […]
Tiffany Sallee, Assistant Camp Director
A normal summer day for Tiffany Steinbacher Sallee, Assistant Camp Director at Camp Woodchuck, is filled with coordinating staff and camper scheduling, planning day-to-day activities for campers, creating schedules for activities, planning big events such as the fashion show, talent show, and art show, helping staff with ideas for working with campers, interacting with kids […]
Youth with Special Needs Form Bonds with Innovative Summer Staff
Camp Woodchuck’s theme this summer is “Ride the Wave” and we are excited to announce we have 46 Campers riding the wave into a fun summer experience! We are providing an In-home Camp experience where each Camper has a Camp Counselor that goes to the family’s home with a backpack full of supplies, activities, energy […]
Building Brain Power: Infants & Toddlers need connection
As a Mental Health Specialist at Rainbows United, I have the privilege of working with children ages birth to 3 and their families. I often stress the importance of building attachment or connection with children in order to decrease unwanted behaviors. While this is true, in this article I want to elaborate on the importance […]
Dottie is a baby, not a diagnosis
Dear Rainbows, Dottie was born November 8th, 2019 with a surprise diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Although my husband and I weren’t burdened by the diagnosis… the onslaught of potential heart, thyroid, feeding problems threw us both into temporary despair. Dottie had a major heart defect that was corrected in July 2020. Thank the Lord! And […]
Thank You Textron Aviation Interns
Thank you to Textron Aviation Interns who volunteered to stain the fence, prune the rose bushes and weed the Fisher Boy garden at Kids’ Cove. These Interns came from all over the United States and chose to help Rainbows! We appreciate you.
Michelle Eastman, Women Who Lead
Originally published by Wichita Business Journal, May 25, 2021 Women Who Lead: Marketing and Communications How did you become involved in marketing and communications? I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love color, fonts, and creating in 3D. From my Iowa high school yearbook to designing advertisements to experiencing other cultures and now championing children […]
Nurturing Grace
“I will always be indebted to all the Rainbows’ staff who have shared advice and assistance with me. They have encouraged Grace to meet her gross/fine motor skills, feeding abilities, attachment and bonding, social and cognitive developmental milestones, and helped me meet her needs for care such as getting her dressed and diaper changes,” said […]
The Correlation Between Social/Emotional Skills and Academic Success
Over the past several years, there has been mounting evidence that shows the correlation between social emotional skills, self-regulation skills and academic achievement. For many years, so much attention had been placed on cognitive development, academic performance, “No Child Left Behind” standards, without truly emphasizing the importance of teaching social, emotional and self-regulation skills first. […]
Lights, Camera, Graduation!
Lights, Camera, Graduation! The theme for Pre-K Graduation this year was a red carpet celebration of achievements. In a year that has been remarkably different than most of us have ever known, I wondered what the ceremony had in store for everyone. The answer is it had a little bit of everything, in all the […]
