Need for Accessibility Brings Autism Care to Sunnyside
Until 2014, there were no Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs in Central Washington; families had to travel hours to Seattle for a
Ary Snell, an ABA program therapist, gives praise to a Day Program client for completing a task.
program that requires frequent visits. “There was such a high need,” Kamilia Worrell, Manager of Behavioral Health Services at Children’s Village, recalled. “It started off with just me.”
The ABA program at Children’s Village in Yakima is an early intervention program for children with autism or concerns for autism. ABA services began in 2014 as an in-home program developed by Worrell.
By 2018, the in-home program was expanded to a clinic-based “day program,” now one of only two in the region. The program is designed for children ages 2 to 6. It provides intensive early intervention, 12 to 15 hours per week, and the team of behavior analysts, technicians, and speech therapists see about 100 children annually.
While this program has had a substantial impact, the distances families travel for care has remained an issue. In late 2026, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic will open a second location in Sunnyside, which will improve access for families. The Sunnyside location will significantly reduce the commute for those who live in communities like Mattawa, Prosser, and the Tri-Cities. According to Worrell, about one-third of the families participating in the program travel more than 30 minutes each way.
“The reason for moving to Sunnyside is patient access and im
proving accessibility,” Worrell explains.
Once open, the program will split its current capacity between the Yakima and Sunnyside sites. Approximately 50 children will be served annually in each location. The impact on lower valley families is expected to be substantial, as shorter commutes should translate to more consistent attendance.
Local advocate Sandra Linde recognized the need and helped connect the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic ABA program with the Sunnyside School District. Linde, a long-time supporter of Children’s Village and a Sunnyside resident, understood how difficult it was for families to travel frequently for care.
“It is important to have those services down here, so families do not need to go to Yakima multiple times a week,” Linde said.
The school district offered a building at no cost in exchange for autism-related training for teachers, creating a partnership that reflects shared community priorities.
“It highlights the importance of community collaboration,” said Worrell. “When we share needs and barriers, opportunities emerge. You just never know where an opportunity might be.”
In this case, a shared commitment to children and community created this opportunity, which will eliminate transportation barriers for families in the lower valley and surrounding communities.