Children deserve every opportunity to grow up feeling healthy, hopeful and supported—both in school and beyond. While learning environments play a big role in shaping young minds, they also represent a powerful opportunity to care for the whole child, especially when it comes to emotional and mental well-being. This is even more important for children living with disabilities, who often face unique challenges that require thoughtful, tailored support.
At the Children’s Services Fund (CSF), we’re proud to partner with organizations that meet these needs head-on. One of our newest funded partners is Ability KC, a trusted name in our community for more than 75 years. Their programs are a powerful example of what it looks like to support children in ways that are inclusive, compassionate and built for long-term impact.
Mental Health Matters for Children Living with Disabilities
Ability KC grew from the merger of two legacy organizations—Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center and the Rehabilitation Institute of KC—and today provides comprehensive outpatient medical rehabilitation and early childhood services. Their Therapeutic Preschool Program, supported by the Children’s Services Fund, is a multidisciplinary, family-centered program for children from birth through age 8 with developmental delays, disabilities or medical complexities.
“A key focus of the program is addressing social, emotional and behavioral challenges, which are often barriers to successful participation in early learning environments,” says Jewell Cockrum, Program Director of Early Childhood Development and Education at Ability KC. “By supporting the development of foundational skills in a nurturing, inclusive environment, the program helps children build confidence, independence and readiness for future educational and social success.”
Why Early Childhood Mental Health Services Matter
Children with disabilities often face challenges with emotional regulation, social interaction and behavior that traditional classrooms aren’t equipped to address. The Therapeutic Preschool Program tackles this by offering:
- Integrated therapies (occupational, physical, speech and psychological)
- Support for emotional regulation and behavioral skills
- Family-centered case management
- Transition planning for school readiness
“The Children’s Services Fund has been vital in enhancing the depth and quality of services we offer,” says Cockrum. “It’s allowed us to develop and implement new approaches to complex social, emotional and behavioral challenges, expand our interdisciplinary team and strengthen our family partnerships.”
Real Impact in Jackson County
The impact of this partnership is best understood through the stories of the children it helps. Take Liam, a young boy on the Autism spectrum who also entered the program with significant developmental delays related to a genetic condition.
“Through the support of the CSF, we were able to partner with Liam’s family and integrate outside ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services,” explains Cockrum. “This allowed Liam to participate more fully in the classroom, access services previously limited by scheduling and helped our team provide more targeted, effective interventions. His progress is a testament to the power of integrated, family-centered care.”
This story is just one of many showing how inclusive preschool programs in Jackson County can make a life-changing difference for both children and families.
Looking Ahead: Growing Support for Families and Kids
Looking to the future, Ability KC is focused on:
- Expanding transition services for children entering public school
- Deepening trauma-informed care practices in everyday routines
- Building more partnerships with local schools and pediatric providers
- Enhancing outcome tracking to improve impact measurement
“We want families to know that we are here for them,” says Jenni Miller, the Director of Marketing and Communications at Ability KC. “We’re continuing to adapt and grow to meet the evolving needs of children and caregivers throughout Jackson County.”
A Call to Action
The Children’s Services Fund is honored to support Ability KC’s work and invites the Jackson County community to do the same. If you’re looking to support services for disabled children in Jackson County or are seeking mental health support for children with disabilities, Ability KC is leading the way with compassion, clinical excellence and inclusion at its core.Learn more about their programs and how you can make a difference by visiting Ability KC’s website. Together, we’re building a stronger, more supportive community where every child—regardless of ability—can thrive.
