Month: July 2023

For 100 years, Easterseals Central Illinois has been passionate about ensuring all children have access to vital pediatric therapy services early on in their lives. We proudly offer Early Intervention (EI) therapy services across Central Illinois. 

Early intervention is a statewide program that provides support and services for families to help their children under age 3 meet developmental milestones. We specialize in delivering Early Intervention therapy services, including; Feeding, Occupational, Physical, and Speech-Language Therapy. Easterseals Early Intervention caters to children with a minimum 30% delay in one or more areas of development, those with qualifying disabilities, or those who meet specific at-risk criteria. 

Nurturing Growth in Natural Settings 

Early Intervention services focus on helping children achieve developmental milestones. Eligible children receive support in natural environments, including their homes, daycares, community parks, or any setting where they would interact with their peers. Natural environments promote a nurturing and familiar setting for the child’s session. 

Along with natural environments, EI therapy services are provided alongside the child’s parent/caregiver. At Easterseals, the family is recognized as the child’s best therapist and play partner throughout their life. This approach emphasizes the significance of supporting the child and their families. 

Reaching Milestones 

Through the third quarter of 2023, 94% of children have made measurable progress. Families have also reported numerous benefits from the services, including reduced stress (75%), improved parent-child relationships (75%), a better understanding of their child’s challenges and progress (56%), enhanced quality of life (93%), and a sense of community (43%). 

Easterseals Early Intervention services have garnered recognition and acclaim through their accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Services (CARF). Their commitment to adhering to CARF’s standards and being recognized as a “best practice” model of delivery showcases Easterseals’ dedication to excellence in pediatric therapy services. 

The Future Of Easterseals & EI 

Easterseals has been a pioneer in the field of EI services, actively shaping standards and treatment recommendations in Illinois. While we remain dedicated to these services, there are increasing challenges to providing them. There is a growing cost to providing EI therapy services, and the reimbursement rates from the state of Illinois have remained flat for nearly two decades. 

However, Easterseals continues to adapt and find ways to serve the families who need us most. We utilize telehealth appointments, as well as in-home and natural environment sessions. Community support also helps fill the gap in providing these services.  

In a successful partnership with the Greater Peoria YMCA, Easterseals expanded its services through a satellite site, providing a child-friendly space with all necessary supplies and equipment. Recently, the Peoria Care and Treatment Board awarded a grant in the amount of $55,000 to help us ensure we could provide the best possible environment for the children we serve. These funds helped provide equipment, condition the space and further help create a child-friendly environment.  

 Almost one year ago, we opened our new location in Bloomington. We are proud to be housed in the Bloomington-Normal YMCA facility, which provides an inclusive, natural environment for children to receive EI services. 

We are dedicated to serving our community for generations to come, and with the help of our amazing partners- we know we will continue to reach even more milestones.  

There are very few things as infectious as the joy of a child. At Easterseals, we are fortunate to see pure, unbridled joy happen daily. The joy of a first pass down the zip line at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center. The joy of a school dance at Easterseals Learning Academy. The joy of riding a trike for the first time down the halls of the Bloomington-Normal YMCA. The joy of seeing Jarvis, the facility therapy dog, walking into a session in our Peoria center. Or, in Devyn’s case, the joy of operating a garbage truck for the very first time.

The joy of seeing the weekly visit of a garbage truck is almost universal among children. Our long-standing relationship with Peoria Disposal Company (PDC) and the Coulter family has blessed the children of Easterseals with many opportunities to get up close to these vital machines. In 2018, our ambassador Hayden took a ride as a part of the Easterseals Tribute honoring the Coulter family and PDC. In 2021, GFL Environmental Inc. acquired PDC and began serving the Central Illinois community. GFL also acquired a dedication to the mission of Easterseals.

Fast-forward to 2023, the Coulter Family unveiled the interactive garbage truck in our newly renovated lobby in Peoria. The interactive garbage truck in our lobby caught Devyn’s attention. “Oh, it had to be a garbage truck,” his mom chuckled when he laid eyes on it for the first time. Devyn is a brilliant 8-year-old with a knack for engineering and machine operation. When our friends at GFL heard of Devyn’s love for the truck in the lobby, they were eager to level up for him. 

On a sunny afternoon in June, Devyn and his parents arrived in the Easterseals parking lot and were greeted by a beautiful green garbage truck. Matt Coulter, Regional Vice President of GFL Environmental Inc., was on hand with GFL employees Geff and Shane, who were ready to give Devyn the experience of a lifetime. Devyn was quickly dressed in GFL safety gear and got to work. The drivers on-site showed him the cab and the levers in the back and even let him operate the trash collector.

“Let’s Do This!” Devyn yelled energetically every time he got to do a new task. He was delighted to bring the growing crowd along with him to each section of the truck. We borrowed a nearby garbage can, and Devyn got the chance to execute the garbage pickup process perfectly. His only barrier seemed to be his height, which will be no problem when he is old enough to get his CDL.

 After exploring every area of the truck, multiple times, Devyn took the GFL team inside to show off the PDC interactive truck wall in the Easterseals lobby. He was excited to take his turn showing the GFL drivers all the bells and whistles on this interactive truck and even made a repair of his own while he was there.

“We are so thankful for everything Easterseals provides Devyn, from his therapies to the extra events and opportunities they provide. He has learned so much during his therapies with Miss Erin over the last few years,” shared Devyn’s mom, Cheriz. “We are so lucky to have such an amazing resource for children so close by!”

And Central Illinois is lucky to have GFL Environmental close by as well. An international company with a heart for supporting the communities they serve and the dreams of children everywhere.

Devyn poses with his Occupational Therapist, Erin, who helped coordinate the visit.

Morton Industries is a long-time partner of Easterseals Central Illinois. That can probably be traced all the way back to their roots. Founded in 1946, Morton Industries says its strength is “An unwavering corporate philosophy of service and willingness to learn and grow as our partners’ needs change”.

Their commitment to service and flexibility mirrors that of Easterseals Central Illinois. Over the past 103 years, we have also grown and adapted as the needs of our families have changed.

Morton Industries has been at the forefront of technology and design for decades. And while we are not in the manufacturing business, we are at the forefront of child development services. A position we are able to maintain thanks to generous donors.

Recently the staff at Morton Industries worked together to raise money for the children and families of Easterseals Central Illinois. Their representatives got a chance to meet with our staff, tour the facility and meet one of our very own Easterseals Superheroes.

Thank you, Morton Industries, for your commitment to helping Easterseals ensure every child can reach their full potential.