Weighted Blankets, Pressure Vests Project Funded by Women’s Community Foundation
November 9, 2018
Newton, Kan. (November 9, 2018) – Prairie View is pleased to announce that it has received a $750 grant from the Women’s Community Foundation affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation. The organization will use the funds for the purchasing of weighted blankets and pressure vests for children, adolescents and individuals receiving crisis and inpatient services.
“Prairie View is grateful for the work of the Women’s Community Foundation and the ways they are enhancing our work at Prairie View and the work of many of our community non-profits,” says Eric Schrag, director of advancement at Prairie View.
In 2017, 2,684 children 17 years and younger received services at Prairie View. Of those, 57 received services from Turning Point, a psychiatric residential treatment facility for adolescents ages 10 to 17, located on Prairie View’s Newton campus.
“Prairie View is striving to make the transition easier for those children, by helping to reduce distress from sensory overload,” says Schrag. “Weighted blankets and pressure vests can provide the help needed for every day struggles.”
While the science of Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) has been around for a few years in examples of stuffed animals and lap pads, weighted blankets and pressure vets are relatively new therapy tools.
“Sensory overload, such as loud noises, bright lights and touch, and transition periods, including fidgetiness and restlessness, have been a challenge among children for years,” says Schrag. “Weighted blankets and pressure vests are a creative solution to their challenge as it offers a gentle, calming way to promote relaxation.”
DTP from the blankets and vests is known to improve children’s performance, reduce self-stimulatory behaviors, reduces distress-improving disruptive behaviors and improves on-task behavior.
Research has also shown a significant improvement of disturbed behaviors of individuals in an inpatient psychiatric unit with the use of weighted blankets and pressured vests.
An award ceremony will take place Thursday, Nov. 15, at 5:30 p.m. at Norm’s Coffee Bar, 613 N. Main, Newton.
About Women’s Community Foundation
The Women’s Community Foundation (formerly Women’s Community Fund) was founded in 2000 and has since granted nearly $275,000 to 27 non-profit agencies serving Newton and Harvey County. Women’s Community Foundation is an affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation, a IRC § 501(c)(3) charitable corporation organized under the nonprofit corporation laws of the state of Kansas, with its principal office located at 301 North Main, Newton, Kansas, 67114. If you have questions or need further information, please contact Angie Tatro, CKCF Executive Director, at 316.283.5474 or angie@centralkansascf.org. Additional information posted at www.centralkansascf.org.
About Central Kansas Community Foundation
Central Kansas Community Foundation’s mission is “Building Stronger Communities Through Charitable Giving.” Founded in 1995, Central Kansas Community Foundation, based in Newton, Kansas, is an intermediary between donors and charities. The community foundation helps donors establish funds that financially support meaningful, charitable programs and services in their community. Central Kansas Community Foundation also hosts numerous affiliate community foundations throughout Central Kansas. www.centralkansascf.org