Infant Toddler Feeding Program Benefits From Charitable Donations 

Since its inception in 2007, Easter Seals Southwest Human Development’s Infant Toddler Feeding Program has played a vital role in assisting Arizona children with something many people take for granted eating.

Thanks to continued support from CVS Caremark and the new Thunderbirds Charities funding, Easter Seals Southwest Human Development is able to expand this program.  What started as a pilot funded exclusively by CVS Caremark is now so successful, and in such demand, that increased funding was required to grow this comprehensive program. 

“The Infant Toddler Feeding Program is the only one of its kind in Arizona that helps families address complex feeding issues,” said Ginger Ward, CEO, Easter Seals Southwest Human Development. “The generosity of Thunderbirds Charities and the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust allows us to serve local children through individualized care plans and coordinated teams of child development experts.”

Research shows nearly one-third of all children with a developmental disability will experience significant feeding problems that interfere with nutrition, social integration and medical well-being. With services ranging from assessment, consultation, and ongoing intervention therapies to case coordination, the Infant Toddler Feeding Program helps children overcome issues like severe reflux, problems with chewing and swallowing, and dependence on tube-feeding for nourishment.

The Infant Toddler Feeding Program brings together developmental pediatricians, occupational and speech therapists, psychologists, and specialists in infant mental health and pediatric nutrition, depending on each child’s situation. All members of this multi-disciplinary team have special expertise in working with children who have feeding difficulties. 

A critical component of the program is the case coordination provided by this team. The case coordinator works to improve communication between professionals so there can be a shared understanding of the individual child and a unified intervention plan.

About Thunderbirds Charities

In 1986 Thunderbirds Charities, a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation was established for the purpose of distributing money to charitable causes. Funds are raised through the FBR Open and direct gifts to Thunderbirds Charities. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in the community. Their charitable giving is directed toward organizations based or with a significant presence in Arizona.

About CVS Caremark Charitable Trust

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, Inc. is a private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE:CVS). CVS Caremark is the nation’s premier integrated pharmacy services provider, combining one of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical services companies with the country’s largest pharmacy chain.  The Trust's mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in communities where CVS/pharmacy stores are located.

For more information about this program, please contact a feeding program coordinator at 602-468-3430 or by email at vhackett@swhd.org or sraymond@swhd.org.      

Commitments to Easter Seals

Look closely at what makes Easter Seals unique from other health and human services providers, and it becomes clear: Easter Seals' greatest strength comes from the people who are Easter Seals. Relationships between therapists and clients, between teachers and preschoolers, between staff and parents, and between volunteers and staff. Helping children and adults with disabilities gain greater independence involves whole individuals, whole families and support systems.

Corporate sponsors, volunteers, staff, and national representatives share their commitments to Easter Seals and creating solutions that change the lives of people with disabilities.