Play stimulates brain development

 

Colleen stands by the touchable, washable mural on a wall in the hall of Joya Child and Family Development Center. The mural was created by Ben Joyce, whose daughter received services at the Guild's School and is now a student at Gonzaga Prep.

Colors and curves, tot-sized sinks, touchable-washable wall art and a therapist happily greeting a two-year-old coming through the doors to play are among the ways Joya Child and Family Development expresses joy and welcome to children.

"For children with developmental delays and disabilities from birth to age three, play is more than fun. Play is how they learn and grow, stimulating brain development and building age-level skills," said Colleen Fuchs, executive director.

"Our approach is play-based," she explained. "Children learn best when we capitalize on their enthusiasm and interest. Play is their work. For staff, play is intentional."

Joya served more than 59 years as the Spokane Guilds' School and Neuromuscular Center. The early-intervention provider was outgrowing the school building on West Garland they had leased from Spokane Public Schools (SPS) since 1982.

"Wanting to double the number of families we serve, we envisioned having our own building," Colleen said.

Knowing its lease with SPS was ending, Joya purchased the property and five buildings that previously housed the St. Joseph Orphanage and then St. Joseph Family Center at 1016 N. Superior beside the Spokane River.

In designing the new facility, staff and board consulted with therapists, teachers, parents, medical professionals and community leaders.

"We wanted the space to make people feel they belonged when they walked in the door," Colleen said.

Joya moved into the 42,000-square-foot building in May 2022. The facility was 75 percent completed at that time. In June 2025, after receiving $3 million in congressionally directed funds for training and research, the remainder of the building was completed. That new space enables them to host community events like a recent presentation by a neonatal intensive care specialist.

In addition, Joya is expanding research by partnering with Washington State University College of Medicine.

"We serve children with unique needs and diagnoses. As we provide resources for them and their families, it can open areas for research by physical and occupational therapists in doctoral programs," said Colleen. "Our families have a wealth of information to help shape the future for professionals.

"For example, while Joya is seeing more infants with prenatal substance exposure, staff individualize their response for each child and family. Research now allows them to examine patterns in how children with similar needs can best be supported," she said.

During April, Joya served about 440 families with children from birth to three years old. Its new Joya Jump Start program serves children from the ages of three to five.

"We focus on the early years, but we know older children have nowhere to go, so we offer bridge services, such as continued feeding support," Colleen said.

During the July 2025 to June 2026 fiscal year, Jump Start is serving 80 children, while the birth-to-three program serves between 1,000 to 1,500 annually. Children cycle in and out of the program as their needs change.

Joya's staff of 74, which has doubled in size since moving into the new facility, includes physical, occupational and speech therapists, special education teachers, developmental specialists, a dietitian, a nurse, a medical director and family resource coordinators who connect families to additional supports.

Colleen's connection to the organization began in 1990 as a student teacher at the Guilds' School. A decade later, she returned as a parent and later served on the board. She began working with Joya about 10 years ago and has been executive director for seven years.

The youngest of her four sons had a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after birth and was not expected to survive. When he did, doctors said he was unlikely to walk or talk. Colleen said that today, he is 25, works at a bank and is getting married at the end of May.

"He is social, capable and independent," she said. "I believe that is because of early intervention. At three, he still had struggles, but the work we did to support his brain development in those first three years allowed him to keep growing and progressing.

"It's why I'm here," she said. "We are fortunate in Spokane to have this center that can change the trajectory of the lives of children and their families."

Colleen attended St. Aloysius (St. Al's) Gonzaga and Gonzaga Preparatory School before earning a bachelor's degree in early childhood special education in 1991. She later worked as a nurse's aide with medically fragile children at St. Anne's Children's Home, a Catholic Charities program. She taught for 14 years at St. Al's school and was the childcare director there while her children were growing up.

"I live in the same block near Gonzaga as my childhood home and still attend St. Al's," said Colleen.

While her faith influences her commitment, she said "divine providence" shaped her career path, beginning with babysitting a boy with Down syndrome and hydrocephalus during Mass at St. Al's. His father served on the board when she was hired at the Guild's School.

Colleen emphasized that Joya is not religiously affiliated and serves families of any faith and no faith.

"Every day, I feel life in this building," she said. "I can have a difficult day and then walk down the hall and see a child who is in the image of God, walking with a walker or sitting in a wheelchair, working hard to gain new skills and full of life. In that, I see God."

As plans began for the capital campaign, the board and staff recognized that the former name—Spokane Guilds' School and Neuromuscular Center—felt long and intimidating. The word "school" was often misunderstood as a K-12 program and limited funding opportunities.

"So we looked at what families associate with us," Colleen said. "It is joy, hope, positivity and potential."

They chose the name "Joya" after discovering that joya means gem or jewel in both French and Spanish and is a true reflection of how families and staff view the children they serve.

"We work with families who have just received devastating diagnoses and may have been told not to expect anything," said Colleen. "We want to be realistic, while also helping parents see their children's strengths and potential. That shift creates hope for the future."

About 65 percent of children leave the program at or before age three with age-appropriate skills, she said.

For those with ongoing needs, families continue parent coaching and have access to a lifelong network of support.

Staff coach families to embed intentional play into everyday routines, helping them recognize teachable moments during meals, bath time and daily activities.

Staff provide many services in homes, childcare and community spaces, and transition groups to prepare children for preschool.

In 2025, Joya launched seven free community playgroups for infants and toddlers, supported by community grants. These include Storytime, Family Playtime, Mini Minglers, Mini Movers, Wednesday Waddlers, Playful Beginnings and Creative Curriculum. They help families learn about child development.

Colleen reported that 857 families—1,700 people—visited groups in February, March and April, and 679 came more than once. The groups often serve as a first point of connection for families with developmental concerns.

Two-thirds of Joya funding is from state Early Support for Infants and Toddlers. About 20 percent comes from other government sources, grants, donors and annual events such as the Spring Gala, Telethon and Hearts of Joya. The remaining 17 percent is from insurance billing.

Colleen summarized: "Joya seeks to ignite hope, empower children and families, and establish lifelong skills."

For information, call 326-1651 or visit joya.org.