Kaleidoscope gives quality care to disabled youth Kaleidoscope gives quality care to disabled youth (December 17, 2004)

Funding helps resuscitate ailing organization
by Jeb Bing

Kaleidoscope, an after-school care program for students with learning or other disabilities, is thriving again after a funding drop that threatened its survival.

The program, located on Larkdale Avenue in Dublin next to the Dublin school district headquarters, faced serious cutbacks two years ago due both to an economic downturn that saw outside contributions diminish and to state cutbacks in assistance to these kinds of organizations. Community response to Kaleidoscope's problems saved the day through fundraisers, community dinners and then increased funding from both the state and the Easter Seals organization that manages it.

"We have heard loud and clear from people in the community how important the Kaleidoscope after school services are that we provide to individuals with disabilities and their families," said Michael Pelfini, president and chief executive of Easter Seals Bay Area. "That's why we are thankful that the Pleasanton Weekly has made us one of the designated organizations this year. It will help us increase our Tri-Valley services significantly."

Kaleidoscope now serves 45 students each day after school, young people from 5 to 22 years old with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and other forms of debilitating conditions that keep them out of mainstream activities for children their age. Open from 2 to 6 p.m. each school day, with all-day care on school holidays and vacations, Kaleidoscope is as much a respite service for parents as it is a productive after-school program for those in its care.

"With volunteers and staff providing a 5 to 1 care ratio, we help these students learn skills that can make life for them more meaningful, from learning computer skills for games and other activities to helping with the shopping and being better communicators," explained Ron Halog, Kaleidoscope Program Manager.

Ricky, 12, for example, had trouble expressing himself and communicating his feelings. Kaleidoscope aides found that he is a fan of Sponge Bob Square Pants, so they used cutouts of Sponge Bob to show different facial expressions and worked to explain those to Ricky. Soon he was able to make the same facial expressions to show that he was happy, surprised, mad or more to let others know how he was feeling.

Another student, Carl, was hyperactive and at times a pest, if not a perceived threat, to others. Learning that he liked "cool people," the staff kept telling him how cool he was when he behaved. In time, he became more socially acceptable.

Four years ago, Halog discovered that half of those attending Kaleidoscope did not know what snow is. He arranged for a trip to the snow country where everyone saw, held and walked in snow, an event students talked about for months afterward and anticipate each winter. The same hands-on care also has helped them learn about golfing and other sports.

Because of the funding crisis, Kaleidoscope directors scrubbed a much-publicized, ambitious plan to build new facilities before any money was appropriated. Operating now on a carefully audited financial plan since becoming part of Easter Seals, the organization is expanding at its Dublin and Livermore sites, with projections for another 45-60 students in the near future.

"Most after-school programs can't accommodate children with the disabilities Kaleidoscope handles," Pelfini said. "Without us, they would go home after school and play video games or stare at the TV. We're helping them learn to handle important skills."

For more information on Kaleidoscope, contact Halog at the Kaleidoscope Activity Center; telephone 828-8857 or e-mail rhalog@rsba.com.

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