Revitalizing 60 Years of Excellence: Help Reimagine Hammitt School on Willow

For six decades, Central Illinois has relied on the expert special education provided by The Baby Fold’s Hammitt School on Willow Street. This historic campus is a cherished place of refuge for countless children in need of therapeutic academic services.

Students across Central Illinois with severe emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs are referred to Hammitt School when their needs exceed what their public school can provide. Teacher-therapists surround students with healing-centered care, individualized curriculums, and therapeutic interventions that help them achieve social, emotional, and academic success.

At Hammitt School, nonverbal children learn to communicate their needs for the first time. Children who struggle to make healthy connections learn to feel and accept love. And others learn new, safer ways to express themselves.

However, after 60 years of serving special education students, Hammitt School needs a comprehensive refresh. The Reimagine Hammitt project signifies The Baby Fold’s ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional special education experience for our community’s children and includes updating classrooms, therapeutic and sensory spaces, exterior and recreational areas, and more.

Our children need your support to maintain a safe and comfortable school life.

Will you make a special gift today?

In 1952, The Baby Fold's nursery opened on the Willow Street campus, the current location of Hammitt School.

State of Illinois Honors Hammitt School Educator for Exceptional Service in Special Education

Carrie Green, Autism Program Coordinator at Hammitt School on Willow, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Those Who Excel Award in the Meritorious Service category by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Carrie's 13-year tenure at Hammitt School exemplifies her unwavering commitment and innovative leadership in special education. Her efforts have not only enhanced Hammitt's autism program but have also profoundly impacted the students, families, and staff she serves.

Carrie shared, "My greatest accomplishment as an autism coordinator has been to build an ever-growing, incredible, dedicated team of staff who continually look for ways to grow and enhance their instructional practices."

The annual Those Who Excel Awards recognize outstanding educators who have made lasting contributions to their school communities. Recipients of the Award of Meritorious Service have significantly shaped their school environment, utilizing their talents and passions to make positive changes.

"My teaching heart is one of service to others," continued Carrie. "It has taken time, perseverance, a willingness to lead by example, creativity, and personal growth to build an amazing team of staff dedicated to serving students with severe autism."

Carrie's journey embodies the spirit of service and innovation that defines Hammitt School, inspiring colleagues and students alike to reach their full potential. Her recognition by the Illinois State Board of Education serves as a testament to excellence in special education.

If you are interested in joining a dynamic team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children, explore current job openings at Hammitt Schools and be part of a diverse and inclusive community driven by passion, innovation, and a shared commitment to student success.

Expanding Mental Health Support: The Baby Fold Introduces Maternal Child Health Specialist

Perinatal or postpartum mental health disorders impact 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men. Despite a multitude of community efforts, families impacted by these concerns often continue to struggle to find help. 

The Baby Fold’s Healthy Start Program in McLean County is filling that need by expanding to add a Maternal Child Health Specialist position. 

Dani Simpson, a nine-year veteran of The Baby Fold, has seamlessly transitioned into this pivotal role. Formerly a Family Support Specialist for Healthy Start, Dani brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new position.

In her new role, Dani will work alongside Healthy Start's Home Visiting Doulas and Family Support Specialists, providing prenatal education, identifying strategies for improved health and well-being, screening for perinatal mood disorders, and offering individualized and group support as needed.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the opportunity, Dani remarked, “I’m excited to fill this gap in services! Perinatal mental health disorders are the number one complication of childbirth, yet access to needed services is hard to find. I’m excited to help new moms and dads feel better and more confident on their journey into parenthood.”

Dani emphasized the importance of support for parents during what can be a challenging transition. “Parents don’t have the support or the village like they used to. I, alongside the mother’s doula and the family’s home visitor, can be a part of their village. We can support them through one of the hardest transitions of their life. And we know that when a parent's mental health is supported, their child benefits.”

This vital expansion is made possible by a one-year grant from the McLean County Health Department Board of Health.

Healthy Start Families are Feeling Loved

Healthy Start families in McLean County recently gathered at the Children's Discovery Museum in Normal to celebrate Valentine's Day. The families spent time connecting as new parents, enjoying a meal together, and spending time exploring the museum with their children.

New Training Equips Foster Parents for Success

Driven by the ongoing pursuit of excellence in child welfare, The Baby Fold recently launched a new training series aimed at better equipping foster families with the tools and knowledge needed to create nurturing environments for the children in their care.

Cindy Musick, Family Development Specialist at The Baby Fold, explained the unique challenges faced by foster families, “Many of our foster families have children of their own. However, the experiences that foster children have had and the trauma they have endured means that foster families often have to develop different types of parenting techniques.”

To address these needs, Keith Brotheridge, Training Coordinator for The Baby Fold, is spearheading the new monthly training sessions. Drawing from his extensive 15 years of experience in child services, Keith is committed to providing foster parents with trauma-informed parenting techniques essential for fostering a supportive environment.

Expressing his dedication to education, Keith remarked, “Spending eight years in residential treatment really opened my eyes to the impact of childhood trauma. As a result, I felt called upon to share the knowledge on childhood trauma that I had gained over the years with parents, adoptive parents, and foster parents.”

The program, which launched last month, has already scheduled three monthly training sessions, with additional opportunities slated for the coming year that will complement the initial training received by foster families.

If you're interested in providing a safe and loving temporary home for a child in need, visit The Baby Fold’s website for more information on becoming a foster parent.

Mark Your Calendar for The Baby Fold's Spring Auction

With over 40 stunning creations to bid on, The Baby Fold’s fourth annual Spring Auction is your chance to win beautiful spring décor for your home or office while directly supporting local children and families served by The Baby Fold. 

The online auction will feature a delightful collection of handcrafted spring and Easter-themed wreaths and centerpieces as well as an assortment of gift cards, certificates, and gift baskets generously donated by local businesses.

Mark your calendars! Bidding for the Spring Auction begins at noon on Monday, March 18, and ends at noon on Thursday, March 21. 

New this year, bidders will have the opportunity to view the beautiful collection of spring items in person at The Baby Fold’s Bloomington campus, located at 1701 W Market Street. Items will be on display for viewing on Wednesday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, just before bidding ends. Winning bidders can pick up their items on Thursday, March 21, from noon to 6 p.m. at 1701 W. Market Street in Bloomington.

For those interested in contributing to the Spring Auction by donating gift cards or gift baskets, please contact Emily Nafziger at enafziger@thebabyfold.org or (309) 451-7235.

Don't miss this opportunity to support The Baby Fold and bring home a piece of springtime cheer!

Celebrating 100 Days of School in Unit 5

Last month marked the 100th Day of School in McLean County Unit 5!

Lead Community Schools Coordinator, Rebecca Kinsey, dressed up as "Granny Kinsey" to celebrate the mid-year accomplishments of Unit 5 students. Students loved her new look!

Rebecca is a Baby Fold social worker who is embedded in Fairview Elementary School. She works to create partnerships between students, families, the school, and the community. These partnerships work to identify student needs and the resources necessary to meet those needs so students succeed at school and beyond!