FARGO, N.D. – Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation has awarded Beyond Boundaries Occupational Therapy, Inc. a grant to be able to continue to provide therapy services to children and families in rural communities. The first of its kind in the state, the Beyond Boundaries Mobile Therapy Unit, which is a fully renovated school bus, is the home of a state-of-the-art sensory motor gym. Last year on the mobile therapy sensory gym, therapists provided both occupational and physical therapy to Lisbon and Milnor communities. This year they were excited to add speech therapy as a service as well as expand their mobile unit stops to Tower City and Valley City.
Beyond Boundaries Therapy, President & CEO LaDonna Bannach states, “We are so honored to have been chosen for this BCBSND Caring Foundation grant. Based on the needs we have known for many years, the therapy on-the-go services are allowing us to remove significant barriers and circumstances in rural communities as we now travel to the clients. We found that there was a big need for physical, occupational and speech therapy in rural areas. Children were missing school and caregivers were unable to miss work on a continual basis to drive an hour each way weekly.”
Grant writer and physical therapist, Brittany Anderson exclaimed, “Our therapists have been so excited to work with the children in our mobile therapy unit. Partnering with schools, daycares and parents to ensure everyone in the community is aware of this service when we come to their area has been such a great collaboration and why this medically based model has been so successful.”
Pam Gulleson, BCBSND Caring Foundation Executive Director states, “BCBSND Caring Foundation is pleased to support the Beyond Boundaries Mobile Therapy Unit for a second year. This approach to providing therapy to children in rural communities is a creative approach and crucial to ensuring families are receiving the care and healthcare access and services they deserve. We are thrilled that they continue to expand their services across the state so more individuals can benefit.”
About the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation
Established in 1989, the BCBSND Caring Foundation (www.BCBSND.com/Caring-Foundation) is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Through giving and investing, the Caring Foundation focuses on key health issues that help improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans and their communities. Caring Foundation staff work with grantees to support nonprofit sustainability, collaborate on shared outcomes and create lasting change.
