Kids are No. 1 at Chileda
Reprinted with permission. May 2003
By Terry Rindfleisch Of the Tribune staff

Five years ago, Rob Suminski found a special place for his son, Alex, at Chileda in La Crosse.

Suminski's first impression of Chileda: Kids are No. 1.

Over the past five years, he and his former wife, Jaye Sperling, have seen Alex grow in many ways, including his ability to express choices despite not being able to talk.

Suminski calls Chileda and its staff "a dream come true."

Alex is one of many children and young adults with autism at Chileda. Suminski said his son doesn't understand some things and has no idea of danger but is aware of his environment and people.

He said his son is safe at Chileda, continues to grow as a person, learns life skills and maintains as normal a life as possible.

Today, Chileda is considered a national model of care and treatment for children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Chileda serves 43 children and young adults ages 6 to 18 with cognitive disabilities, autism, challenging behaviors and physical disabilities.

Chileda was a dream, too, for Don Heidel, a social worker who coordinated services for hard-to-place children for the Wisconsin Division of Family Services in the early 1970s.

Heidel wanted to build a place like Chileda because he found it difficult to place children with multiple disabilities in foster homes. He leased space from the local YMCA in Stevens Point, Wis., for a day program.

On June 16, 1973, Chileda started with four kids, three staff members, a telephone and lots of ideas, Heidel said. Rolf and Rayma Sommer founded Chileda with Heidel.

"When we started, we did what we had to do that week," Heidel said. "I never envisioned where we are at today. It was all about fulfillment of a need. These kids needed a place like Chileda."

Chileda later leased a University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point dormitory until the university needed the dorm for students. "We had purchased land in Stevens Point and planned on staying," Heidel said.

But Stewart Laird, then-president of St. Francis Medical Center in La Crosse, wanted Chileda in La Crosse. "We felt La Crosse was the right location because it was the hub of the tri-state area, had two strong medical facilities and good colleges," Heidel said. "I also liked the influence of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration."

In 1977, Chileda moved to Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse, and served 45 children and young adults. "We appreciated having a home here, but the seminary was the antithesis of normalization and had an institution look," Heidel said. "We knew we needed a new place."

Chileda moved into a new building at 1020 Mississippi St., next to Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, with 56 children in 1980.

In 1990, Chileda was chosen as one of President George Bush's 1,000 Points of Light for community service and an outstanding innovative program helping children and young adults with special needs.

Chileda marked its 20th birthday in 1993 when residents, employees and community leaders gathered for an event that included holding hands around the building to symbolize a giant hug for an ABC "Good Morning, America" segment.

Today, Chileda has 43 children and young adults from across the country with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. A staff of 217 employees provide 24-hour care and treatment. Chileda has a waiting list of 10 children.

Many of Chileda's staff members are invited to speak at local and national conferences about autism and developmental disabilities. Chileda has conducted research on autism and seizure disorders.

"Chileda is on the cutting edge of treatment when it comes to autism, but we still don't know enough," Heidel said.

The R.W. Beggs Sr. Outreach Program provides services to schools including consultation and classroom programming at Chileda for children with significant disabilities. Current enrollment is 13.

Chileda also has a structured summer school program for about 20 students to help them maintain skills and a vocational center that provides employment evaluation and training for about 16 residents.

In cooperation with UW-La Crosse, Chileda developed a continuing education training program for parents, teachers and professionals who work with autistic individuals.

Chileda's Swiss Resource Center has a growing collection of books, articles and other resources about autism and other disabilities for parents, physicians and other health professionals.

Heidel's goals and programs at Chileda are shaped by the needs of the children and young adult residents. He collectively refers to the residents as "Ralphie."

"If it's good for Ralphie, then we try to do it," he said. "We're advocates for Ralphies."

Heidel said at $304 a day, Chileda is the most expensive private center in the state for people with developmental disabilities.

"But it's 24 hours a day, and we're doing a lot to help these kids gain living and learning skills," he said. "When it comes to programs in the east and south, we're a bargain, and we're making a difference."

Chileda has two major annual fund-raisers - the Chileda Women's Board Shrimp Boil, which will serve as the 30th anniversary celebration on June 13, and the La Crosse Chileda Classic, a competitive run that will be held July 5. Chileda raises more than $200,000 a year.

Proceeds from this year's Shrimp Boil will help fund a new two-story building Chileda plans to construct three blocks north of its present building in about two years.

Heidel said he has dedicated and committed employees who like working with children and young adults with disabilities.

"Ten on the senior management team have been here for more than 20 years," he said. "The reason we're successful is the great staff we have."

Rozanne Linson, a parent of a Chileda resident, wrote to the staff: "Chileda's lessons of self-confidence, motivation and determination are an inspiration to all of us. It is because of your compassion and willingness to do your best that these kids can achieve their full potential."