How Launch Groups Are Changing Family Support at KidsAbility 

Social workers Gabby Shiry and Gabby Gazziro saw firsthand the challenges families faced while waiting for assessments at KidsAbility. They did a deep dive to understand parents' experiences and their work laid the foundation for changes in how we serve families in their early days with KidsAbility.
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As Social Workers guiding families through the intake process at KidsAbility, Gabby Shiry and Gabby Gazziro witnessed firsthand the challenges families encountered after being referred. Aware that the wait between intake and assessment could be lengthy and filled with uncertainty, they were determined to transform the waiting experience into something more supportive and reassuring. 

“Both Gabby and I were intake social workers working in the intake program,” Gabby S. said. “At the time, we were having direct conversations with families and hearing some of their initial challenges and frustrations—especially around the wait times for our services. They often shared concerns about what comes next, what it all means, and what they could do in the meantime.” 

Those conversations inspired them to take action. “I wanted to fix the problem,” Gabby S. said. “But what we realized was that before we could solve anything, we first had to truly understand the problem.” 

To achieve this, Gabby S and Gabby G interviewed several families on the waitlist. The insights they gathered identified important ways in which KidsAbility could improve their experience and laid the foundation for the creation of KidsAbility’s new Launch Groups. This initiative gives families the opportunity to meet with therapists through play-based sessions introduced early in the intake process. During these sessions, therapists offer personalized strategies, guidance and support while families wait for a full assessment. 

“One of the biggest stressors families shared was not knowing what they could work on while they waited,” Gabby G. explained. “But now, with Launch Group, therapists can observe their child early on and provide concrete strategies families can start using right away.” 

For both Gabby S and Gabby G, seeing the impact unfold has been powerful. Since Launch Groups were introduced, almost 885 kids in the last nine months have been screened, and families who participated reported feeling more confident, informed, and satisfied with their experience. 

“One of the outcomes we’re most proud of is how parents now feel more informed—they know who to contact and what they can do while they wait,” said Gabby S. “That feeling of helplessness as a parent is incredibly hard. So having access to universal supports earlier in the process—it’s truly a game changer.” 

They didn’t realize, at first, how significant their work would become. “I don’t think either of us pictured it would ever eventually trickle or result in Launch Groups,” Gabby S said. “So, it really is impressive to kind of take a step back and see how full circle it went.”  

Along with the significant operational impact, there have also been meaningful personal takeaways, such as Gabby S reflecting, “a key takeaway through this project is to never underestimate the power of data or the possibilities that can come out of it.” 

Their work has reshaped how KidsAbility supports families from the very beginning and shown what’s possible when frontline insights and initiative lead the way. 

Learn more about the launch group project.

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