River City Therapy Center

11/06/2025

We just launched a new T-Shirt Design "I Teach Kids ... to talk back" to promote awareness on what we do, have a little giggle, and continue to raise funds during the DHS payment pause!

Check it out here and feel free to check out the rest of our merchandise store:

Functional Communication includes self advocation, no matter the form!. We are an ABA center that prioritizes functional communication, no matter the form! We serve individuals...

11/01/2025

https://campaigns.donately.com/t005/landing?account_subdomain=rivercitytherapycenter&campaign_id=cmp_d5826721e6db

Urgent Community Update: DHS Payment Pause Threatens Critical Services
Goodhue County, Red Wing, MN, 11/1/2025
Dear Community Members,
We are reaching out to share an urgent situation impacting our organization and many others across Minnesota.
On October 29, 2025, Governor Tim Walz announced a pause on payments for 14 Medicaid services for up to 90 days while a third-party audit reviews claims for potential fraud. This action, outlined in the Governor’s press release, aims to restore public trust after widespread fraud concerns:
“We cannot effectively deliver programs and services if they don’t have the backing of the public’s trust. In order to restore that trust we are pumping the brakes on 14 programs that were created to help the most disadvantaged among us, yet have become the target of criminal activity.” – Governor Tim Walz
While we support efforts to protect taxpayer dollars and to ensure the integrity of healthcare service delivery, this pause poses a serious threat to ethical providers like us. In fact, our organization was fully audited by DHS in October 2024, among all other EIDBI providers in the state, and found to be compliant. We have consistently demonstrated integrity in billing and service delivery.
Why This Matters
• Payments may be delayed up to 90 days, leaving providers without reimbursement for services already delivered.
• For us, this means risk of service termination, staff layoffs, and even closure if we cannot cover payroll and operating costs.
• In 2024, we paid $1.1 million in payroll, supporting over two dozen jobs and providing essential care to families.
Our Proven Impact
• MN Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Average Program Length: 3 years
• River City Therapy Center (RCTC) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program: 1.71 years (42% faster) with 80% success rate (graduated versus referred for higher levels of care)
• RCTC Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) Program: 0.49 years (600% faster) with 75% success rate (graduated versus referred for higher levels of care)
• Combined Programs: Average 1.21 years (321% faster) with 78% success rate
We are a community staple, delivering outcomes faster and more effectively than statewide averages, while maintaining high success rates.
How You Can Help
We are working to secure lines of credit to keep our doors open, but we need your help to bridge this gap. We are asking for donations to support payroll during this 90-day period so we can:
• Continue serving vulnerable families
• Preserve local jobs
• Ensure ethical providers remain strong
Please donate today: https://campaigns.donately.com/t005/landing?account_subdomain=rivercitytherapycenter&campaign_id=cmp_d5826721e6db

Your support ensures that our staff can keep working and our clients can keep receiving the care they need. Help us bridge the gap and continue the work that matters most.

Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time. Together, we can ensure that our community continues to thrive.
With Gratitude,

Kylie Balaun, M.S., LBA, BCBA
Executive Director
River City Therapy Center

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween, from our amazing team to you!

08/29/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/14HCCHLY2w6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Let’s get one thing straight, when we say “autistic people have a strong sense of justice,”
it means sticking to firm beliefs about what is right and wrong, no matter the situation. That’s it. That’s all it means.

The scene in the photo depicts what most of us would call “vindictive” behavior.
But from the perspective of the autistic character I’m playing…
intentionally dumping my classmate’s markers onto the floor is justice being served.

As the story goes, my “classmate” left his toys out, causing me to trip…which messed up the jumping jacks that I was actively attempting to demonstrate.
So naturally, since HE left out the toys,
(which messed me up)…I have to do something to mess him up in return.

In terms of autistic people having a “strong sense of justice”, for many, there’s almost no room for flexibility, nuance, or context — it’s about following the rule exactly as it is understood, even if it causes problems.

So here’s a general framework for how to help folks in these types of scenarios:

▪️Both/And Thinking
Example: “Yes, cleaning up is important and sometimes people make mistakes when they don’t mean to.”

▪️Perspective taking
Instead of “he left his toys out on purpose”…maybe, “he meant to clean up, but got distracted by something else and then forgot”

▪️Model Flexible Language
There are “must/always/never” rules
and there are also “sometimes/often/usually.” rules.
SOMETIMES, mistakes happen.

In conclusion, rules matter deeply to many autistic people.

For those in a support role, show how rules can bend, shift, or make room for compassion.

If we can build skills like perspective-taking, and flexible language,
we can learn to navigate rules in ways that work better for everyone.

08/22/2025

📢 Operational Update – Monday, August 25th

River City Therapy Center's facility will remain closed on Monday, August 25th as we continue working with authorities and specialists to complete additional testing. Our hope is to resume operations on Tuesday, August 26th, pending clearance and confirmation that it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, we are offering in-home services on Monday for clients who wish to receive them. Your Clinical Supervisor will be in touch to coordinate scheduling and support.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we prioritize the health and safety of our clients and staff.

Send a message to learn more

08/22/2025

**📢 Community Update – River City Therapy Center**

We remain **closed until further notice** as we continue working closely with authorities to identify the cause of the symptoms experienced at our facility on August 20th.

Our team is actively collaborating with various agencies to ensure a thorough investigation. At this time, the exact source has not been confirmed, and we are prioritizing the health and safety of our clients and staff.

We appreciate your patience and support as we navigate this situation with care and diligence. We will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.

Thank you for standing with us. 💙

Send a message to learn more

08/20/2025

**📢 Community Update from River City Therapy Center**

Earlier today, August 20th, our team responded swiftly to an unexpected environmental concern at our facility. After reports of an unusual odor and mild symptoms among staff, we evacuated the building and contacted emergency services. The Red Wing Fire Department, Police Department, and EMS arrived promptly, conducted a thorough investigation, and issued an “all clear” for reentry.

Out of an abundance of caution, we later evacuated a second time when symptoms reappeared. Emergency services returned to evaluate staff and ensure everyone's safety. We are working closely with professionals to determine the cause and are taking every precaution to protect our clients and team.

River City Therapy Center will be **closed on Thursday, August 21st** to allow for continued investigation and to give our staff time to rest and recover.

We are incredibly proud of our team’s quick response and grateful for the support from our local emergency services and community partners. Thank you for your concern and continued support. 💙

Send a message to learn more

06/30/2025

Excited to continue as a dual pipeline employer and provide training to employees while they participate in learning opportunities paid for by us!

Over $5 million in Dual Training Grant funding will connect 915 employees in high-demand industries with new training and career pathways

05/05/2025

𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐓𝐨𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞!☀️

We’re collecting toys that promote skill development and reward the amazing progress our kids make every day. These aren’t just any toys—they’re tools that support learning, encourage growth, and bring joy to every session.

🗓️𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: May 5–16, 2025
📍𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 4911 Learning Ln, Red Wing, MN 55066

Want to be part of something meaningful? Check out our wishlist at the link below. Every item you donate helps us build a more playful, purposeful environment for our clients.

Wishlist Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LF--i8FTXIdC-MwPk_rQ7oCuPDJNtux1/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=116929506003427001570&rtpof=true&sd=true

Thank you for helping us create moments that matter. Let’s make this drive our best one yet.

04/11/2025

It's merchandise time!
We're doing a Spring fundraiser to put towards outdoor activities!
Please email us if you see a design that does not have your child’s size! We may be able to add a separate option.
Note that size options vary by shirt style. Not all smalls or XLs are the same, please view the “Size & fabric info” blue link next to the size selections for further information.
Design links in the picture descriptions!
Shop all of our designs here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/river-city-therapy-center/

01/01/2025

Wishing all of our families and team members a very happy new year! We are so thankful for the joy, challenges, growth, and connections that were made over the last 366 days. We are looking forward to a year full of many more opportunities to build relationships, make positive changes in people's lives, and always pursue the lessons to be learned from the trials we face.