We Feel Extremely Lucky and Grateful
Landon, age 3, and his one-year-old sister Hollie both attend Rainbows’ Early Education and Child Care Center full time Monday through Friday. Their parents, Ben and Jamie, are very grateful that Landon and Hollie have been able to continue child care at Rainbows during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Ben and I both continued to work full […]
Specialized Foster Care
The Specialized Foster Care program at Rainbows is small, but it serves an important role in serving a special population of Kansas children. Historically, most states struggle when it comes to finding foster families who are willing to accept into their homes children with significant needs due to their IDD diagnosis. Rainbows has been committed […]
Children’s Mental Health
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) are potentially traumatic events experienced in childhood. Experiencing traumatic events in childhood is linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (“Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences”, 2019), about 61% of adults report experiencing at least one type of […]
If your child has a developmental delay, do not be embarrassed about it.
“The day Ryan took his first few steps (January 8, 2019) we cried the happiest, ugliest tears and thank goodness for technology because we could film it and practically sent it to everyone in our contacts list,” said Allison, Ryan’s mom. “We were so proud to send it to Jamee knowing how hard Ryan had […]
Harrison is proof.
On July 18, 2019, Harrison and I walked out of Rainbows United, Inc. hand in hand for the last time. He was an undeniably different child than he was when he first entered those colorful doors almost two years earlier. Harrison was two-and-a-half years-old when Travis and I started having serious concerns about his development. […]
In and Around Wichita or At Home
Life has gotten a little crazy during these unprecedented times, and families may not be able to attend activities within the community due to taking precautions to prevent COVID-19 exposure. Events and classes are canceled or might be difficult to manage with toddlers safely. Since communities have changed a bit here in 2020, families are […]
Volunteering in a Time of Social Distancing
As Rainbows’ Volunteer Coordinator, I am simply amazed at the generosity and commitment I have witnessed over the last several months from individuals and groups wanting to volunteer for Rainbows in any way possible. When we realized we needed masks to help keep our staff and children safe, people from all over the community […]
Children’s Mental Health
Children learn through a variety of methods. We know it is important to teach children not only at daycare, preschool, and school, but also at home. Often from a very young age we work with children on learning the ABCs and counting. We also teach our children social and emotional skills at home from a […]
Celebrate and Refocus
With a theme of looking forward and refocusing on our mission, the annual State of the Agency was delivered virtually to Rainbows’ employees during All-Staff Inservice. A series of 10 virtual meetings were held throughout Monday and Tuesday, August 3 and 4, with President Deb Voth addressing each group and answering questions. Board members […]
Essential Services Continue During COVID-19
All over the world, summer camps and other programs made a significant pivot due to COVID-19. Some programs canceled and some went virtual. For Rainbows’ children with special needs and their families, summer camp is not only a fun-filled time of activities and growth, it is a necessity that allows parents to work, attend classes […]