Stephani Gallion
“I am the gatekeeper for Bright Beginnings,” said Stephani Gallion, Social Worker at Bright Beginnings in Butler County. “When our office receives a referral, I schedule time to visit the family at their home. I complete the intake paperwork and begin gathering information to help evaluate the child’s qualification for our program. If they still […]
A Day in the Life of
A career in early intervention has countless fringe benefits, including a front row seat to first steps and first words, sticky hugs, patty cake games and a working knowledge of Paw Patrol characters. LOL. To be part of the beginning of a family’s parenting journey is a singular privilege. When my coordinator asked me to […]
Janeen Hughes
As an expectant first-time mother, I carefully followed my doctor’s instructions, watched what I ate, switched to low-impact aerobic exercise and read a mountain of childbirth and parenting publications. I was determined to be well-prepared for the arrival of my baby. However, I was not at all prepared for the reality of the birth of […]
The Impact on Early Childhood Development
The technological boom of the 1990s has, in many ways, transformed media and its role in the average household. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are growing up in an environment saturated with many forms of digital technology. “Screen time” is a term loosely used to describe sedentary activities spent utilizing television, personal computers, gaming consoles, or […]
2018 Kansas Legislative Session
The 2018 Kansas Legislative Session is over and Rainbows was fortunate in helping secure an additional $2 million for the tiny-k Infant/Toddler statewide service system. It is the first real increase tiny-k providers have had since 2009. This only happened because of the strong leadership of Senator Carolyn McGinn who is Chair of Ways and […]
Teaching the Teacher
Written by Allison Bruntz, OTR/L. I’ve had the extreme fortune of practicing as an occupational therapist for the past sixteen years, with nearly the past five of those years with Infant-Toddler Services (Sedgwick County). One of the most important lessons I’ve learned along the way is to never stop learning. When I or another member […]
2018 Rainbows Run Sponsored Family
“My 2.5 year-old daughter, Trinity (Trin), receives Speech-Language therapy through Rainbows United. When we started with Rainbows, she struggled showing us and/or asking for what she wanted, and we as parents struggled to understand her needs. With Rainbows’ help, Trin’s ability to communicate simple needs has greatly improved. Trinity has been working with Rainbows since […]
The Blarney Impact
My son is 12-year-old Kolton Wyatt Wiening. Kolton is a bright, big-hearted, and kind young man. He is full of life and love and always has a smile on his face! Kolton is also diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF). Kolton’s NF diagnosis affects daily life because it causes him to deal with fine motor impairment on his […]
A day in the life of Amy Foster
-Written by Amy Foster, Rainbows’ Physical Therapist Early Intervention might be a somewhat confusing term. If a person doesn’t have a direct experience to relate it to, they may not know how to describe the term “Early Intervention.” When I, as a therapist, start working with a new family, I have no idea what they are […]
Butler County early intervention services
As a Speech Language Pathologist at Rainbows’ Bright Beginnings in Butler County, Joanna Wiebe works with each child in their natural setting. “Working with children and families in their homes is an amazing privilege that provides more information than a questionnaire could ever capture. It allows a therapist to provide realistic suggestions and connect on […]
