Spnsrd Instit.

Sponsorship is about keeping promises.
When a promise made is a promise kept, great things can happen.

Sponsorship describes the congregation’s ministry to and with its institutions. This relationship implies the support of, influence on and responsibility for the ministries that continue the works founded by the congregation and express its mission in today's world.

The Center was founded in 1943 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Clinton under the direction of Sister Edward Smith, a speech instructor at the former Mount St. Clare College (now The Franciscan University of The Prairies).

Sister Edward and the Clinton Franciscans initiated the ministry in response to requests from persons living in the area whose family members or friends needed assistance with speech: children with speech impediments as well as adults recovering from strokes and other illness or accident.

Speech pathology and audiology were comparatively new services in the mid-1940s, and Sister Edward, a graduate of Marquette University, was considered a pioneer in providing services in a local setting.

The MSC Speech and Hearing Center is located on the first floor of Regis Hall on The Franciscan University of The Prairies campus.

The Center, one of the first in the nation when it began in 1943, is presently equipped with six evaluation/therapy rooms with observation facilities, a soundproof hearing testing suite, a large gym, a fully operational kitchen setting for teaching transitional living skills, waiting rooms and offices. It is a Gateway United Way Agency.

The certified, licensed speech-language pathologist staff and registered/licensed occupational therapy staff offer a wide variety of services for communicatively, physically and mentally disabled persons of all ages.

The Center is also home to the Kehl Communication Closet: a lending service since 1994, that provides persons with special communication needs the ability to borrow sophisticated communication assistive devices, such as mini-computers, without charge.

"Clients are able to find out by trial at home just which device is best suited to their needs," said Sister Marcella Marie Narlock, director. "These devices are usually very expensive," she explained, "and often the first one a client tries is not the best one for her or him."

The Center staff assists their clients in learning how to use the devices. When the best arrangement is determined, the staff helps the clients apply for grants to purchase their equipment. When it was opened in 1992, the Closet was the second such program in the nation.

"The Speech and Hearing Center was opened to assist the people of this area who have special needs," said Sister Marcella. "Their friends and family had asked Sister Edward for help."

"The preschool years are among the most important for successful development of functional skills," she explained. "When a child exhibits difficulties with basic skills, it is important to intervene at an early age. Early intervention can mean the difference between a developmental delay and a life-long deficit."

Since its founding in 1943, the Mount St. Clare Speech and Hearing Center has served thousands of clients with speech, language and hearing problems.

Two sisters minister at the Center. Two other speech-language pathologists, one with certification as an assistive technology practitioner, and an occupational therapist complete the professional staff at the Center.


Speech-language pathologists at the MSC Speech and Hearing Center work with adults and children, teaching cognitive skills as well as communication skills, using everything from hi-tech computers to toys and bubbles.

"I love you!"

MSC Speech and Hearing Center director and a new friend share greetings in the universal language of sign.

Mount St. Clare Speech and Hearing Center staff traveled to China in 1999 to both share speech and language therapy and to bring to their Chinese counterparts the latest in techniques, equipment and ideas.

Founded in 1914, The Alverno Health Care Facility provides professional care for the aging and support for their families in a Franciscan, gospel-centered community, which is respectful, compassionate, and life-giving.

THE ALVERNO Health Care Facility was the first organization in Clinton, Iowa, dedicated to caring for the community's elderly population. Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, the facility has a long tradition of providing care and support to those who are no longer able to care for themselves. Today, The Alverno continues to care for the elderly in the Clinton area. Of the 133 beds at The Alverno, 101 serve as private rooms.

The numerous awards received by The Alverno speak for the quality of care provided and the skill level and dedication of our staff. Most recently, The Alverno was proud to be the recipient of the 5 Star Quality Award from the Iowa Health Care Association as well as the Step I Quality Award from the American Health Care Association. In addition to our high quality long-term care, skilled nursing, and therapy services, we are pleased to offer alternative treatments to our residents, an excellent dietary service and an impeccably clean facility.

The Alverno Health Care Facility was first known as Mount Alverno Home for the Aged. It was the first long-term care facility for the aged and infirm in Clinton County and the only such facility until the mid 1960s. The present Alverno Health Care Facility was built in 1971 and remains a state-of-the-art residence and care center.

	24-Hour Nursing Care Care is provided 24 hours a day and is overseen by a registered nurse. Routine nursing care includes: implementation of the physician's orders, administration of medications, and assistance with bathing, toileting, dressing, and mobilization.
	Skilled Nursing Care The Alverno is a Medicare Certified, licensed skilled nursing facility. Skilled nursing services are those that require a higher degree of knowledge and coordination. Services such as feeding tubes, wound care management, physical therapy, occupational therapy and tracheostomy care are examples of skilled nursing services.
	Dementia/Low Stimulus Unit For those requiring additional care due to dementia or Alzheimers, The Alverno offers a low stimulus unit. Specific programming has been developed to assist residents in this unit to communicate their wishes and needs to our highly trained staff. Additional safety precautions have been taken in the unit to ensure the safety of the residents.
	Occupational Therapy/Restorative Nursing Occupational Therapy and Restorative nursing assists residents in maintaining physical, emotional, psychological, and social skills. Examples include range of motion, transfers, exercise, ambulation, restorative dining, and orthotic/prosthetic management.

Physical Therapy
The goal of our on-site physical therapy program is to help our residents return to the highest level of independence as possible. Our physical therapy team will work to increase mobility, decrease pain and increase strength.