May 9, 2023, LITTLE ROCK, AR
Easterseals Arkansas (ESA) shares news for the Little Rock community as it secures a generous grant of $45,000 from CareSource. This funding aims to bolster early intervention therapies and facilitate community-rooted educational services for children, enhancing their growth and development prospects across the state.
The grant forms a fraction of a massive $2.55 million donation that CareSource bestowed upon Easterseals affiliates nationwide in late 2022, stepping up to improve lives in Arkansas, where more than 3,000 individuals depend on CareSource PASSE for their complex medical and behavioral health needs.
ESA President and CEO, Ron Ekstrand, expressed immense gratitude, stating, “We are honored to be among Easterseals Affiliates benefiting from CareSource’s support. This gift will allow us to expand our reach and positively impact more children in the community who need our expert care.”
Revamping ESA’s Unique Feeding Clinic
The focal point of this fund utilization is to enhance ESA’s Feeding Clinic, a one-of-a-kind establishment staffed with licensed speech-language pathologists nearing certification in oral placement therapy. It caters to children encountering growth challenges due to underlying health conditions and developmental disabilities, ensuring their nutritional needs are met proficiently.
The clinic’s expansion is two-fold beneficial, as it not only offers improved services but also reincarnates the existing clinic space into a functional classroom at the Little Rock Developmental Preschool, thereby accommodating the school’s escalating needs.
Support and Collaboration with CareSource PASSE
David Donohue, the president of CareSource PASSE, acknowledged ESA’s substantial impact on their members, praising their dedicated services which foster greater community inclusion and independence.
He added, “Their services not only improve the health and well-being of our members but also promote greater independence and inclusion in the community. We are proud to have Easterseals Arkansas recognized on a national scale as we continue to collaborate in providing coordinated care to individuals with complex health care needs in Arkansas.”
CareSource PASSE, a partnership envisioning transformative healthcare delivery, caters to Arkansas Medicaid recipients harboring complex health and intellectual challenges. This joint endeavor focuses on constructing innovative community solutions grounded on a person-centered philosophy.
Looking Ahead
In the pursuit of nurturing kindergartners to reach their fullest potential, CareSource promises annual grants amounting to $725,000, supporting numerous initiatives, including the Easterseals’ Project on Education and Community Health Equity. The upcoming round of grants is eagerly awaited in late 2023, holding a promise for a brighter, inclusive future.
About Easterseals
With a rich legacy exceeding 75 years, Easterseals Arkansas strides towards 100% equity, inclusivity, and accessibility through transformative disability and community services.
Easterseals stands as a centenarian leader, tirelessly working to uplift the lives of over 1.5 million people annually. Their main goal is to ensure that every individual is esteemed and welcomed in society, with a vision focused on healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
For further details, reach out to Jillian Jacuzzi at jjacuzzi@eastersealsar.com.
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