Kylie Moritz is combining her passion for helping others and her speech/language skills to serve children and families in her new position at Sunflower Diversified Services.
Moritz is the new speech/language pathologist (SLP) at Sunflower’s Early Education Center (EEC), 1312 Patton. The non-profit entity serves infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities and delays, age birth to 3; services are free.
“I am passionate about helping families and eager to support children as they learn to effectively express themselves to parents and others,” Moritz said. “When youngsters can communicate their thoughts, they will be able to more easily participate in school and home activities. Communication is key today and into adulthood.”
As an SLP, Moritz interacts one-on-one with children and parents in their homes or other natural environments, such as daycare centers.
“We can help with problems that have started to develop and prevent further communication disorders and delays,” she noted. “As we advocate for families, we can maximize a youngster’s ability to communicate effectively. Speech problems can at least be alleviated, if not overcome.
“When I learned about this position at Sunflower’s EEC, my interest was sparked immediately,” Moritz added. “I have a particular interest in working with young children and have heard only positive comments about Sunflower. I am privileged to have this opportunity.”
Moritz emphasized the importance of early intervention when a speech or other delay is suspected.
“This is so crucial to a child’s development because, in many cases, the sooner you act, the sooner good habits can begin,” she explained. “This means better outcomes for the whole family.
“Early intervention gives children the developmental boost they need,” she elaborated. “This is true for their speech and language, as well as their fine- and gross-motor skills.”
Moritz earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in SLP at Fort Hays State University; she graduated with the master’s in May. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.
Moritz is originally from Hays and now lives in St. John, near her grandparents, Dick and Marcia Smith, and other relatives.
Cathy Estes, Sunflower children’s services coordinator, said Moritz is using her speech skills, along with her knack for organization to handle a large caseload. Even when she is not the primary provider for a family, she is a consultant on the EEC team of interventionists.
“Kylie has joined our early intervention team with a long list of qualifications,” Estes said. “Most important, Kylie has the desire to work with infants and toddlers. She is eager to support families and is a natural in children’s home environments. She is a quick study and is becoming a key evaluator and EEC team member. We are so happy to have her here.”
The EEC is part of the tiny-k infant/toddler program in Kansas. The non-profit agency’s service area includes Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. Although it is funded in part by tax revenue, it relies on private donations. Services are free to families.