Fall is in the Air
Room 5 brought a taste of fall into the classroom learning to make their own homemade applesauce! Wichita is filled with many family-friendly events to help your family enjoy the season. Homemade Applesauce Recipe 3 lbs. apples, cored and sliced (Granny Smith are excellent) ½ cup water 1 tablespoon lemon juice Simmer on high for […]
Amber Tra
Being a member of a family with a child with special needs means experiencing challenges and opportunities other families may not encounter. Thirteen year old Amber is the oldest of six children in the Tra family. Amber has Smith-Magenis Syndrome, with learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Amber’s mother, Katy, said “For our family, Rainbows fills a need that […]
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteering at Rainbows impacts not only the children with special needs and their families, but it also changes the life of the volunteer. “I enjoy every minute I spend volunteering and am always looking for the next event to sign up for because it brings me pure joy to see the smiles on all of those […]
Thank You United Way of the Plains
In August, Loaned Executives from United Way of the Plains spent time at Rainbows learning about our programs and services. Prior to the United Way Campaign, Loaned Executives spend time at United Way funded agencies to experience firsthand the important work agencies provide to our community. Rainbows receives funding from the United Way of the […]
11th Annual Hampel Luau Raises Over $46,600 net proceeds
When the Hampel family decided to turn an annual 4th of July celebration into a small fundraiser, they never imagined it would evolve into the event it is today. Eleven years ago, the third generation Hampels had a vision to improve their local community. Philanthropic in nature, they wanted to create their own project to […]
Community Based Education and Training Services
Lily was 3 years old when she got connected to the Rainbows’ Community Based Education and Training Services (CBETS) program. She suffered from muscular issues and weakness. She had problems with balance and walking and would drop to her knees to pick up things. She was unable to climb the ladder of the slide, and […]
All Staff 2018
Super Heroes were everywhere as Rainbows’ staff gathered for the 2018 All Staff Inservice event at Botanica Wichita Gardens. Not only are the children of Rainbows Super Heroes, but the staff at Rainbows are also Incredibles. Throughout the day, super powers were explored; super ideas were shared; and super achievements were recognized. Gavin Kriedler, Rainbows’ […]
Mental Health
Recognizing Sensory Issues in Early Childhood By: Nicole Morton, LMSW & Megan Peters, LPC – Mental Health Specialists The Child Mind Institute describes sensory issues as the inability or difficulty of “integrating information from the senses, which may overwhelm children and result in confusing behavior”. Children who are experiencing these problems may overreact or underreact to […]
Letter from the President
I was fortunate to have a scholarship to attend the Kansas Association for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health (KAIMH) annual conference in Kansas City at the end of May. KAIMH is an association of professionals who are concerned with the emotional development of infants and young children. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear […]
Rainbows changed the future for our baby girl
Non-verbal and with no social skills, 2 ½ year old Macayla Davis joined the Rainbows’ family within a month after being diagnosed with autism. Macayla is now almost 19 years old, a high school graduate, working part-time at Goodwill Industries, and considering enrolling in online college classes for the fall. Macayla entered a pilot program classroom […]