<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4Ggqot_1H041gDr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Ggqot_1H041gDr00" width="1008" height="757" ><figcaption>Dr. Mikaila Pence and supporters celebrate the 2023 ribbon-cutting of the Children's Specialty Clinic of the San Luis Valley. Credit: LOR Foundation</figcaption></figure>For families raising children with specialized therapy needs, finding care close to home isn’t always easy—especially in rural communities like Monte Vista.Dr. Mikaila Pence and her team at the Children’s Specialty Clinic of the San Luis Valley are working to change that, bringing specialized care and learning opportunities closer to home and helping local children build skills, confidence, and independence.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=09szGn_1H041gDr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=09szGn_1H041gDr00" width="1024" height="768" ><figcaption>Reception area at the Children’s Specialty Clinic of the San Luis Valley in Monte Vista, where Dr. Mikaila Pence and her team provide specialized pediatric care and therapy services to local children and families. Credit: LOR Foundation</figcaption></figure>Since 2023, Dr. Pence and her team have brought several ideas to the LOR Foundation. With LOR’s funding, the clinic has created an outdoor therapy space, equipped an indoor sensory gym, and developed a hands-on learning area where children practice everyday skills like preparing meals. The clinic has also partnered with local educators and organizations to create a sensory garden that introduces children of all abilities to gardening, nutrition, and nature-based learning.Together, these projects reflect a shared goal: helping more children in Monte Vista and the surrounding San Luis Valley thrive.We caught up with Dr. Pence to learn what inspired this work, the difference it’s making, and what she’s learned about turning local ideas into action.<h2>Q&amp;A with Dr. Mikaila Pence</h2>Tell us about your connection to Monte Vista and the San Luis Valley. How long have you lived and worked here?I came to the San Luis Valley at the end of 2011, looking for a rural community where I could practice my pediatric specialty, raise my children, and help my husband fulfill his longtime dream of having a hobby ranch with Miniature Hereford cows!Nearly 15 years later, we’ve definitely made this our home. We have three kids involved in school, sports, 4-H, and church activities; a hobby herd of more than 30 Miniature Herefords; plus four businesses and a nonprofit clinic that we own and operate.What’s something you wish more people understood about raising a child with specialized needs in a rural community?My guess is that every rural community has its own blessings and challenges. In watching families raise children with complex medical and behavioral needs in the San Luis Valley, I’ve seen that our blessings are many, but our challenges are also great.Many folks in the Valley are fortunate to have a huge network of family, friends, and neighbors who want to help, along with more than 100 nonprofits working together to support children and families.But, we’re also 3 to 4 hours from the state’s major pediatric specialty care centers, and our region spans roughly 8,000 square miles. Some families live another hour or more from the specialty services available in Alamosa and Monte Vista.When children need medical or behavioral health services monthly, weekly, or even daily, distance becomes a tremendous barrier. I’ve worked with many children who have simply gone without the care they need because of it…<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0z2pAY_1H041gDr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0z2pAY_1H041gDr00" width="1024" height="663" ><figcaption>With support from LOR, the clinic expanded its indoor gross motor therapy space with specialized equipment that helps children build strength, coordination, balance, and confidence through play. Credit: LOR Foundation</figcaption></figure>From outdoor therapy spaces to sensory equipment and life-skills training, you’ve created some unique opportunities for local children. How do these projects build on one another?We’re on a mission to build on approaches known to support children’s development—and find creative ways to make them even better.We know that occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and behavioral therapies are effective, as are programs that bring these services into homes and schools.But two major challenges limit their effectiveness in the San Luis Valley. First, is the sheer size of the region, with 14 school districts and 49 school buildings. Secondly, we don’t have local educational programs to train the specialized providers our community needs. And as a result, there simply aren’t enough professionals to serve everyone.The spaces we’re creating and the interdisciplinary team we’re building at the Children’s Specialty Clinic are our way of responding to those challenges–by making better use of the expertise we have, to improve access and outcomes for local children.What has your experience working with LOR been like? What would you tell someone who sees a need in Monte Vista but isn’t sure how to get started?Working with LOR has been incredible! Their commitment to supporting homegrown solutions is brilliant and rare among funders.In an environment where nonprofits are constantly trying to “fit in” with funders’ priorities, it feels so validating to work with an organization that values the knowledge and experience we have from living and working in our own community.LOR recognizes that local people understand what their community needs and what it takes for a solution to succeed. That kind of trust and support makes such a difference!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Gxddu_1H041gDr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Gxddu_1H041gDr00" width="1024" height="663" ><figcaption>Before and after: With LOR funding and additional community contributions that more than doubled LOR’s investment, the clinic transformed an overgrown outdoor area into a welcoming outdoor therapy space. Support came from businesses, individuals, local Boy Scouts and the Centauri High School football team. Credit: LOR Foundation</figcaption></figure>Looking ahead, what would you love to see for children and families in Monte Vista and the San Luis Valley?Our vision is for San Luis Valley families to have access to a local community of care where their children can fully participate in society and realize their potential.We’re working to become a central resource for children with complex medical and behavioral needs—somewhere more accessible than Colorado Springs or Denver, and with the more personal feel of a small business, where you’re always greeted by a familiar voice on the phone.Right now, we’re working to eliminate waitlists by hiring new providers and seeking funding to bring back our hugely successful Independent Explorers Summer Camp, piloted in 2025. The camp was free for families and gave children access to all our therapy specialists, regardless of insurance restrictions.We’d also love to add a pediatric physical therapist and medical provider to our team. And hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, we can replicate our model in other parts of the San Luis Valley, bringing care closer to families throughout the region.How can people support your work?Gosh, there are so many ways!People can participate in events like our recent Halloween Trick or Trot 5K, which LOR sponsored and which we’re excited to make an annual event. They can also join the roughly 75 individuals, businesses, foundations, and government partners who support our clinic through donations of time, talent, or resources.We have about 30 engraved tiles remaining to recognize donors who contribute $1,000 or more, along with 25 annually renewable Therapy Room Sponsorships that help us build and maintain therapy spaces and keep them stocked with essential supplies.And, of course, we’d love for people to think of us during Colorado Gives Day and San Luis Valley Federal Bank’s Spirit of Giving fundraisers!But financial contributions are only one way to help. Referring families to our services, connecting us with potential therapists and counselors, and encouraging local people to pursue careers in these fields are all incredibly valuable.And sometimes, support starts with simply being aware of—and showing empathy toward—families raising children without adequate access to the services they need.Dr. Pence’s work shows what’s possible when local people have the resources to turn their ideas into action. And you don’t have to be a doctor or run a nonprofit to make a difference. If you have an idea to improve life in Monte Vista, the LOR Foundation wants to hear from you.LOR offers fast, simple funding for community projects, with no formal applications or deadlines. Most eligible projects are funded in under 30 days. Have an idea? Contact Monte Vista community officer Ivette Atencio at ivette@lorfoundation.org or visit lorfoundation.org to learn more about how LOR can help.</div></body>

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For families raising children with specialized therapy needs, finding care close to home isn’t always easy—especially in rural communities like Monte Vista. Dr. Mikaila Pence and her team at the Children’s Specialty Clinic of the San Luis Valley are working to change that, bringing specialized care and learning opportunities closer to home and helping local children build skills, confidence, and independence.

From long drives to local care

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For families raising children with specialized therapy needs, finding care close to home isn’t always easy—especially in rural communities like Monte Vista

From long drives to local care

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