Infant Support Team Celebrates 10 Years!

July 01, 2026

Take a moment with us to celebrate and congratulate the Infant Support Team (IST) for reaching their 10-year anniversary! This incredible milestone is not only something to praise but the perfect opportunity to look back on the impact this small but mighty team has had since 2016.The IST is made up of 24 providers and 8 Foothills Gateway Service Coordinators. “We have a close-knit team of specialized providers who collaborate frequently and learn from each other” said one IST team member. Service providers include Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, an Early Childhood Special Educator, a Registered Dietician, and a Teacher of the Visually Impaired.

Service from the IST often begins with triage while the baby is still at the NICU, so the family has the best possible experience upon discharge. This makes it possible for services to be available right as families are discharged from the NICU with medically fragile babies. This is a crucial window for providing immediate support. Families often feel lost and overwhelmed with a baby who has high needs coming from 24-hour hospital care to their home. Support from the IST continues from birth to age 3, which can often be a bittersweet graduation. Many families who are supported by the IST feel like these providers become a part of their family over the years and are sad to say goodbye when the time comes.

Before the IST was formed, families were delayed in receiving prompt support for their little ones. This gap in care is what inspired the Infant Support Team to form. The journey they were beginning was not an easy task and required diligent effort to change not only how the hospital system and NICU team functioned but also navigating funding to create the flexibility to get in with families early after discharge. The team would like to acknowledge Caryn Stanwick, PT at Poudre Valley Hospital NICU, for bridging these connections and helping build the team.

This incredible group of providers and Service Coordinators have made a life-changing difference in the lives of over 1,000 babies and their families. “What makes this team special is the dedication that a consistent group of therapists have had over the last 10 years to support babies being discharged from the NICU.  Most of the initial members of the team are still practicing together and supporting each other” said Laura Sidener, Foothills Gateway, EI/Part C Coordinator. The heart that this team brings to their work is evidenced by the dedication, genuine care, and compassion they show for their clients.

Thank you to the Infant Support Team for your impact on our community and congratulations on 10 years of service!