David Sterne: A Lifeline for VIPS Families

When you ask David Sterne why he drives hours across Indiana to meet families, his answer is simple, “It’s a privilege to walk alongside them. The children and their families teach me just as much as I teach them.”

For nearly 30 years, David has devoted his career to supporting young children and their educational and developmental journey. Today, as a Teacher of Blind/Low Vision and Cultural Quality Assurance Coordinator at VIPS, he brings not only expertise but also extraordinary compassion for families navigating unexpected diagnoses.

A Journey Toward Early Intervention

David’s path to VIPS wasn’t straightforward. Growing up in Ohio, he initially thought he would become a classroom teacher. But after volunteering at a group home for children with disabilities, he was struck not by their challenges but by their resilience—and by their need for advocacy.

After graduating from Manchester College, David realized elementary education wasn’t the right fit; however, his love for working with very young children (birth to three) became clear when he accepted a position at a daycare inside an Ohio nursing home. The seed had been planted.

David later moved to Indianapolis and began working in an early learning center, where he first heard about First Steps, Indiana’s early intervention program, as several children were receiving ongoing services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy.

Then in 1999, David’s goddaughter began receiving First Steps services, and watching her grow through the program sparked an interest in a career as a developmental therapist.

“That changed everything for me,” he recalls. “I didn’t know early intervention even existed as a career before that time, but I knew I wanted to do something to support children with developmental delays and their families.”

Becoming a Developmental Therapist

David went on to become a developmental therapist with First Steps, a role that proved pivotal. He had a gift for connecting with infants and toddlers who had highly specialized developmental needs, but his true strength was in supporting parents and caregivers. His ability to listen, coach, and remind the families they weren’t alone made him one of the most sought-after developmental therapists in the program.

He was quickly building a reputation for being not just skilled, but deeply compassionate—and bilingual, too, making him an even greater asset to First Steps and a lifeline for Spanish-speaking families.

Discovering a Calling in the Field of Blindness & Low Vision

David’s connection to children who are blind or have low vision began a few years later, when he started co-treating alongside Annie Hughes, then Teacher of Blind/Low Vision at the Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ISBVI), in the early 2000s.

“I learned so much in those sessions,” he says. “About cortical visual impairment, about how vision impacts development, and about the strategies that could make such a difference for children.”

Impressed by David’s gift with children and families, Annie encouraged him to complete specialized training through Vision Impaired In-Service in America (VIISA), which deepened his knowledge of how blindness and low vision affect every aspect of a child’s development. She also knew David could make an impact at VIPS, where she was overseeing the organization’s expansion into Indiana. The timing wasn’t right at first—but in 2015, he officially joined the VIPS team and has been changing the lives of Indiana’s infants and toddlers who are blind or have low vision ever since.

Five years later, David further expanded his expertise by earning his Teacher of Blind/Low Vision certification from Indiana State University, strengthening both his knowledge and his ability to serve families across the state.

A Lifeline for Families

Credentials aside, what makes David remarkable is his ability to meet children and families where they are—with respect, kindness, and patience.

One person who knows this well is Tiffany Rasmussen of Crown Point, Indiana. Tiffany’s daughter, Aurora, was diagnosed with Aicardi Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects brain development. She also has cortical visual impairment, a severe seizure disorder known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and other special healthcare needs.

“Aurora has a lot of challenges,” Tiffany explains. “But she also has a smile that lights up a room and a joy that she shares with everyone she meets.”

Like many parents and caregivers of children with complex needs, Tiffany was used to a revolving door of early interventionists–all trying to help Aurora meet developmental milestones. But when David with VIPS walked in—and everything changed.

When no other provider had availability, David didn’t hesitate to make the long drive from Indianapolis to Northwest Indiana. He was already used to long hours on the road—his VIPS car has become a second office, stocked with essentials: water and granola bars for long days, a GPS (though not always reliable in rural Indiana), a rotating stash of toys and tactile tools, and enough music on his iPod to last him on a road trip to California. For Tiffany, that dedication meant the world.

“David and VIPS have been like an island in the storm,” Tiffany says. “He meets Aurora where she is, with kindness and respect, and has supported me as her parent every step of the way.”

Tiffany can’t express the happiness of watching Aurora make developmental gains—small but invaluable steps that give her more ways to interact with the world around her. “Those moments mean everything,” she says. “I can’t imagine navigating this journey without David and VIPS.”

A Bond Created Beyond Services

Tiffany’s gratitude runs deep—and it shows. Inspired by her experiences, she recently organized a donation drive for VIPS in her own community, personally delivering the items to the VIPS Family Resource Center.

“It was my way of giving back,” Tiffany says. “VIPS has given so much to our family. I want other families to have the same support we’ve had.”

Her generosity reflects the mutual relationship between VIPS and the families we serve. Just as VIPS team members like David invest countless hours in supporting children, families like Tiffany’s step forward as advocates, community builders, and champions for the mission.

Expanding His Impact

These days, David divides his time between providing direct services to children and families, conducting evaluations, and leading cultural quality initiatives at VIPS. His background in languages and multicultural education makes him an invaluable resource for Spanish-speaking families—often stepping in when interpreter services fall short.

Looking ahead, David hopes to make VIPS materials accessible in multiple languages, lead Spanish-speaking family groups, and help the VIPS team navigate cultural differences, so every family feels welcome and supported. With transportation barriers, fear, and language still significant challenges for many, his presence is needed now more than ever.

At the heart of it all, David remains focused on the children.

“At the end of the day, it’s about helping kids reach their potential and helping families feel less alone,” he says. “That’s what keeps me going.”

For families like Tiffany and Aurora, the impact is clear: “Aurora is thriving, despite all of her challenges. That’s because she has people like David in her corner.”

David’s story is about more than a career—it’s about connection, compassion, and commitment. For families across Indiana, he is proof that when someone shows up with patience, respect, and heart, they can truly be a lifeline.

Thank you for all that you do for VIPS, David!