November 21, 2025
Vernon Health is proud to announce that the Center for Special Children (CSC), a department of Vernon Health, has been awarded $15,653 in grant funding through the Otto Bremer Trust’s Community Responsive Fund through its grant intermediary, United Way of Wisconsin and Great Rivers United Way.
This grant will help support the Center’s ongoing mission to provide specialized medical care, genetic services, and family-centered support to children and adults with rare genetic conditions in the region. Located in Vernon County, the Center for Special Children serves as a critical resource for families in rural communities, ensuring access to diagnostic testing, treatment coordination, and education close to home.
“We are deeply grateful for this partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust and Great Rivers United Way,” said David Hartberg, CEO for Vernon Health. “This funding strengthens our ability to continue providing compassionate, specialized care for families who often face unique and complex healthcare needs.”
The Otto Bremer Trust’s Community Responsive Fund is designed to support organizations that address the needs of people and communities across Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. This year’s grants were distributed through local United Way partners, including Great Rivers United Way, which serves the Vernon County area.
Summer 2024
The Center for Special Children specializes in caring for children with inherited disorders, focusing on diagnosing and managing their conditions.
These disorders are often rare and have remained largely undiagnosed. The medical team at the Center for Special Children works closely with various partners, including UW-Madison for specialized care, a group of research scientists from England, the Wisconsin State Hygiene Lab, and a consortium of six other clinics across the country within the Plain Community Health Consortium.
Through the work at the Center for Special Children, prompt detection and intervention help to mitigate the impacts of genetic conditions, leading to improved health outcomes for children. For children with incurable disorders, avoiding painful diagnostic evaluations and hospital stays allows them to be cared for comfortably at home.
Winter 2023
In the serene heart of rural La Farge, Wisconsin, there exists a place where remarkable transformations unfold daily – the Center for Special Children, a program of Vernon Memorial Healthcare. More than just a healthcare facility, it’s a source of inspiration for our community.
Imagine the challenges parents face when they discover that their child is dealing with a rare, mysterious genetic disorder. It’s the beginning of a journey marked by countless doctor’s visits, complex medical terminology, and often, a sense of isolation. This is the reality for many families in our plain community and beyond. But amid the uncertainty, the Center for Special Children stands as a guiding presence.
At the core of this center lies an extraordinary partnership between dedicated medical professionals, researchers, and a compassionate community. Through collaboration with experts from UW-Madison and researchers in Exeter, England, the center helps identify rare genetic conditions. It’s a testament to the power of unity in healthcare. Together, we are not just unraveling medical puzzles; we are shaping a brighter future for these children.
Education is at the heart of our mission. Through early identification and intervention, we empower families with knowledge and optimism. Every child deserves the chance for a brighter future, unburdened by their genetic condition. The work being done at the Center for Special Children is more than science; it’s a lifeline for these families.
Here, we’ve served over 590 patients annually, managing 117 known genetic disorders. The Center identifies new disease-causing genetic variants each year, providing essential answers for families.
At La Farge Medical Clinic - VMH, the Center for Special Children is more than a healthcare institution; it’s a symbol of resilience and unity. It demonstrates what can be achieved when a community rallies behind its most vulnerable members. These children are not on their journey alone; they have countless others supporting them.
Your support of this program can change lives, bringing light to the most challenging aspects of genetic disorders. Through donations or support, your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of these patients and their families.
The Center for Special Children is more than a place; it’s a testament to the enduring impact of education, unity, and support. It’s a reminder that when a community comes together, incredible transformations can occur. Let’s continue to support this beacon of progress because together, we can illuminate minds and nurture support for a brighter, healthier future for all our children.
November 19, 2023
The Center for Special Children at VMH La Farge Medical Clinic was awarded the Wisconsin Healthcare Association’s Global Vision Community Partnership Award. This program provides cost-effective testing, diagnosis, treatment, care plans, and education to families who have a child with a genetic disorder.
The Center for Special Children has an incredible impact on children in our region, but the impact can also be felt on a global level. The work being performed by the team at the Center for Special Children is changing the state of knowledge for rare genetic conditions, directly applicable to communities around the world.
The Center for Special is funded through donations to VMH Foundation’s Center for Special Children Fund. Two-thirds of the budget for this program come from donations from three Amish Auction fundraisers held in Cashton, Platteville, and Withee each year, and the rest come from generous donors to this fund!
Winter 2020
The Center for Special Children is transforming care for families facing rare genetic disorders through early diagnosis, collaboration with leading research partners, and a commitment to compassionate, community-driven support.
Volume 21: Number 4: 2019
The Center for Special Children is bringing 21st-century genetic medicine to rural communities, helping families identify and manage rare inherited conditions through early diagnosis, innovative testing, and strong partnerships with UW-Madison.
November 29, 2019
In a Wisconsin village, the doctor makes house calls — and sees the rarest diseases on Earth
Spring 2019
The Center for Special Children continues to grow its impact by providing specialized care, advancing genetic research, and strengthening community support to better serve families facing rare genetic conditions.
Summer 2018
The Center for Special Children continues to grow its impact by providing specialized care, advancing genetic research, and strengthening community support to better serve families facing rare genetic conditions.