If it’s fall – it’s United Way time! Here at Rainbows United, we are in the midst of planning our internal employee campaign. Of course, that looks a little different this year. We are once again honored to stand with our transformational partners at the United Way of the Plains and want to thank everyone else who is doing the same across our community.
Over the past few months, Rainbows has worked hard to maintain critical services to our children and families. Thankfully, amidst the many curve balls of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been able to do so. This has been possible because of the support of the United Way of the Plains.
UWP funding sustains three critical programs at Rainbows United:
The first is Quality Specialized Child Care. Thanks to the United Way, our Direct Support Professionals were able to pivot to all in-home services and provide needed care for youth ages birth-21 identified as having intellectual or developmental delays, challenging behavior or a developmental disability. We called these vital Summer services Woodchuck Adventure. The need for in-home care has increased due to more children being at home due to remote learning. Rainbows’ Kids Point location remains open as an essential service to provide families with center-based child care for preschool-aged children.
Next, our Targeted Case Management services met critical, elevated needs during this time thanks to United Way of the Plains support. This program offers comprehensive and coordinated resources to help children who have a developmental disability and their families to access medical, social, educational and other needed services. As families continue to navigate this crisis, Rainbows is able to continue to offer these critical services.
Finally, United Way of the Plains supports the work of Developmental Assessments and Evaluations. Kids do not stop growing and developing during a pandemic. The need to evaluate children in an effective and timely matter remains. These evaluations determine a child’s level of functioning in multiple developmental stages, as well as the family’s eligibility for Early Intervention Services.
The United Way of the Plains made all this possible, while also responding to overwhelming community needs through their 211 line and other critical support services.
Rainbows’ employees see every day the difference these services make in the lives of the children and families we serve. We look forward to the opportunity to support United of the Plains through our internal Campaign.
Now, more than ever we are thankful for the generosity and incredible services of the United Way. Just as Rainbows brings potential to life for our amazing children, United Way of the Plains brings potential to life for Rainbows as an organization.
