Letter from the President
I recently participated in a Community Engagement Session sponsored by The Children’s Cabinet, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health and Environment, and Department of Education. These four State agencies collaborated last year in applying for a federal Preschool Planning Grant for Birth through age Five. Kansas was one of 46 States/Territories who received […]
2019 Pre-K Graduation
By Michelle Croomes, Early Care and Education + CBETS Coordinator Pre-K Graduation is an event that always gives me an opportunity to reflect on our school year here at Kids’ Point. This year was no exception. Our program has continued to grow, and for the first time in addition to having the wonderful Annabel Bentley […]
Rainbows Run Family Story
Elza Henry is a Warrior Princess in every sense of the word. Elza’s mom Joice said, “Elza has been a light in our lives, and if sharing her story helps anyone else out there, let’s share it. Let’s shout it off the rooftops! She is amazing and we can’t imagine our lives any differently.” “Elza’s […]
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 […]
