Children’s Village: A Growing Success Story

A little over a decade ago leaders within the Yakima medical community came together to create a special place, Children’s Village. Since that time this special medical facility has served over 16,000 children and families. Children’s Village has become a huge success story and now serves as a focal point within the region for children with special needs.   

 

As the region’s needs for specialized care continue to grow, Children’s Village is keeping pace. Community leaders recently helped break ground for a two-story, 13,000-square-foot addition to Children’s Village, enlarging the facility for special-needs children to 37,600 square feet.

 

Children’s Village offers a variety of services, from specialty medical and dental attention to physical and occupational therapy. The most significant demand is among children who need to be screened for autism. Autism is a developmental disability that ranges from mild to severe. Health care providers technically refer to autism as a "spectrum disorder," meaning it covers a variety of neurological disorders often involving difficulties with communication and relationships, as well as obsessions and repetitive behaviors. To help meet the demand for diagnostic services, the expansion will house a Community Autism Center of Excellence.

 

The expansion, which includes remodeling of existing space at Children’s Village, will take place in three phases. The first phase, which includes the autism center of excellence as well as pediatric dental exam rooms, is scheduled for completion in February 2010.

 

Children’s Village is testament to how well our community works together. The Yakima Valley’s medical institutions came together to create a center for children with special needs, something they could not do by themselves. As a result of teamwork we are supporting children and families throughout the region. Children’s Village is a unique facility especially for a region of our size, and a solid reason why the Yakima Valley is such a special place to live, work, and do business.