November 15, 2018
Imagine you have a child with special needs and the nearest facility to help care for your child is over 100 miles away. That’s the scenario many parents in the central Washington valley of Yakima faced.
Several years ago, four partners came together to create the Children’s Village in Yakima, a place where children with special needs receive supportive intervention and treatment. Virginia Mason Memorial, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, The Memorial Foundation, and Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health found a way to bring the community together to create this unique facility that provides over 30 specialized services.
In October, our Washington Provider Advisory Council had the opportunity to tour the Children’s Village in Yakima and saw firsthand the support and programs offered. A specially designed building creates a welcoming environment for families, and offers pediatric services, family counseling, and parent-to-parent support. We were impressed with the array of services, the child-sized treatment chairs, the staff, and the integration of services across an array of providers.
If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about the Children’s Village, visit their site.
The Premera Provider Advisory Council is made up of key provider partners in Washington. We meet three times a year in Spokane and Mountlake Terrace to focus on issues that impact our ability to make healthcare work better. Want to learn more about the Provider Advisory Council? Contact your provider client manager for more information.