The Coffeyville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) Foundation is proud to announce award of a grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas for our pediatric patients facing developmental delays. This grant allows the CRMC Rehabilitation Team to assess patients and offer the oral motor tools they need and might otherwise not be able to afford. Currently, over 80% of the pediatric patients come from low-income families with limited financial resources.
CRMC serves children born with developmental delays and other unspecified disorders.
“I see children with limited abilities to chew and swallow,” said Speech-Language Pathologist, Gail Billman. “This may be caused by decreased motor movements or sensory issues in which they may tolerate only one texture. Using food and non-food therapy tools are basic-necessities in therapy. My goal in working with feeding problems is to help the child not only learn how to use their muscles for eating and speech, but also improve their nutritional intake. Children need a well-balanced diet and adequate caloric intake in order for their brains to develop.”
Improvements with research in the field of speech-language pathology and those that work as feeding specialists have developed a wide variety of successful tools to enhance oral motor skills necessary for feeding, swallowing, and further speech development.
The CRMC speech-language pathologist works closely with referring physicians to determine needed intervention. Following evaluation and during ongoing intervention with a speech-language pathologist, these tools are recommended to families.
“Many families cannot afford or gain quick access for therapy tools. This grant will allow us to have a stock supply of materials available and provide immediate intervention to our families,” says Billman.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas hosts individual charitable funds, created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from the funds assist people throughout Southeast Kansas and many charities beyond Kansas. Visit www.southeaskansas.org or call the foundation, 620 231 8897 with questions about the Community Foundation and its many services available for donors.
The Coffeyville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) Foundation operates as a 501©3 corporation. The mission of the foundation is to provide financial support and assistance to the hospital so that they may achieve and maintain excellence as a healthcare provider and leader for the communities that we serve.