Health service provider for children with special needs seeking therapists in Southern California

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - It’s a busy morning for toddlers at the Rise and Shine Development Services in Camarillo.

Emilio Resurreccion brought his toddler Elijah who’s struggling with speech delays. 

“Hopefully like he can talk better like quicker," said Resurreccion.

Contracted by the Tri-Counties Regional Center, Rise & Shine supports children under three years old with physical, communicative, cognitive, and social emotional developmental needs. 

During the past two years, the demand for their services has risen.

{Kimberly Reinholdt

Rise and Shine

CEO}

"Yes our speech delay has gone over 200 percent … so speech concerns have been a major issue right now," said CEO Kimberly Reinholdt of Rise & Shine.

Directors of the service say the organization is completely full with over 400 clients.

“… so most vendors that work for tricounty regional center have a long waiting list now for speech therapy because of the high demands of it," said Reinholdt.

Right now Rise and Shine is looking to hire more speech and occupation therapists.

While the Rise and Shine team projects early intervention for toddlers with special needs will continue growing at a rapid rate, Resurreccion is grateful for the services Elijah is getting. 

“Now way better … our home he’s saying home and playing more," said Resurreccion.

Right now, directors say their main challenge is finding specialists in speech, occupational, and physical therapy.

"Some challenges is having enough therapists as there is limited therapist in speech, occupational and physical therapists ... especially with the cost of living here in California," said Reinholdt.

For more information on how you can help or receive services at Rise and Shine Developmental Services, visit: https://riseandshineteam.com.