The Children's Place

Due to the nature of our work, the lives of the children we serve can sometimes change at a moment's notice. We received a call earlier this month that the courts had weighed in on the custody arrangements of two of the little ones in our Counseling Center, and the children would be leaving the next day to move out of state. The children's two therapists got in touch with the kids' caregiver, and they were able to drop a Rudy Bear off for each child at their home. Through lots of hugs and tears, the kids were delighted to have their Rudy Bears and know that a piece of The Children's Place was going to be with them at their new home. We recognize that the journeys that kids have before and after they visit The Children's Place can be tumultuous, but the cuddly Rudy Bear will be there with them through every step.

We beat the heat with a fun water day last week thanks to our friends at BMO U.S.! The kiddos look forward to water day all week, and every Friday they come charging out ready to hop into the kiddie pools and splash anyone and everyone. Thanks to BMO for helping with this fun day last Friday and for their longtime support of The Children's Place!

Our friends with Kiewit Young Professionals hosted a fun STEM craft earlier this week making cloud dough. The kiddos loved getting their hands dirty making this dough out of corn starch, conditioner and food coloring. This generous team also brought donations of toys to stock our birthday closet so that we can give the children we serve gifts on their birthdays. Thank you to Kiewit for their generosity and longtime support of The Children's Place!

Thank you to our friends at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City for donating $5,280 to The Children’s Place as part of their #ShutOuttheStigma campaign with The Kansas City Royals Foundation!   Blue KC’s gift reflects a $30 donation for each shutout inning Royals pitchers recorded in the month of June. We're so grateful to Blue KC for their longtime support of The Children’s Place and for their work eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health. 

A developmental assessment can be a vital tool to understanding how the traumatic events a child has experienced has affected them developmentally. Assessments & Screenings is our largest program in terms of number of children served each year, and in the last year we began assessing all children before they begin therapy in our Counseling Center as well. In approximately a one-hour appointment with one of our diagnosticians, we evaluate the child’s developmental abilities. Depending on the child’s age, we might see whether they can stack blocks, state their first and last name, identify letters and numbers, etc. The assessment provides a key to help determine the child’s needs and whether they would benefit from services at The Children’s Place or through one of our community partners. 

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in the children's mental health field? Applications are now open for our Angel Board, an auxiliary board of passionate volunteers committed to supporting The Children's Place's mission through fundraising, advocacy and volunteer projects. From helping plan Party for The Place to spoiling our staff with monthly treats and lunches, the Angel Board is a vital part of The Children’s Place and does so much to make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. Are you interested in serving on this impactful auxiliary board? Learn more: https://bit.ly/40kXoPh

Thank you to our friends at Kompass Kapital Management, LLC for braving some uncertain weather and hosting a fabulous water day last week! The kiddos didn’t mind the occasional raindrops at all and loved soaring down the slip & slide, popping bubbles and splashing anyone within reach. Thank you Kompass Kapital for this fun day and for your generous support of The Children’s Place!

Meet Taylor, just one of the hundreds of children who walk through the doors of The Children's Place each year. In the first few years of her life, she experienced more than many do in a lifetime. Now five years old, Taylor is a graduate of our Day Treatment program and continues to receive mental health therapy through our Counseling Center. Learn more about Taylor and her experience at "The Place with the Rudy Bear" here: https://bit.ly/4cFvS5V

A few members of our team had the honor of attending a conference yesterday hosted by our friends at Mental Health KC. The workshop focused on supporting educators who are struggling with burnout personally while also coping with their students' mental health. Conferences like these are just one of the many ways The Children's Place supports the professional development of our staff and rises as a leader in the children's mental health field in Kansas City.

Join our team! The Children's Place is currently hiring for two positions: Child & Family Therapist Special Events Manager Do you know anyone who might be a good fit? Learn more about these positions and what it's like to work at The Children's Place here: https://lnkd.in/gwEMfdzs