Ministry to Special Needs

Comment

Comment by Barbara Dittrich on July 14, 2011 at 10:40am

Thought you might want to know about this upcoming event:  http://www.elmbrook.org/resources/disability-forum.aspx

Comment by Barbara Dittrich on May 18, 2011 at 8:20am

Here's a great example of how the church can make a difference for (older) kids with special needs:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110517/ARTICLE/110519521/-1/...

Comment by Donna Harris on October 22, 2010 at 10:17am

I appreciate the info and comments about children with special needs. We have much to learn about ministry to children with autism; the information shared here is very helpful, indeed. I've spoken to several people in our church to be a 1:1 shepherd leader for the kids with autism. The parents of these children are also involved with this process and helping with communication to the "1:1" (ratio) shepherds. It's a journey.

Comment by Amy Fenton Lee on October 20, 2010 at 3:52pm

Thanks CMConnect for facilitating a greater discussion for including children with special needs.

Amy Fenton Lee
The Inclusive Church Blog
http://theinclusivechurch.wordpress.com/

Comment by Stephen Grcevich, MD on October 18, 2010 at 9:45am

Dean,

I see you're a fellow Buckeye. Glad to hear the folks from Joni and Friends have been helpful. Several folks from our team will likely be heading to Columbus next month for some meetings. Let us know if you'd like to connect.

Stephen Grcevich, MD
President, Board of Directors
Key Ministry
http://www.keyministry.org

Comment by Dean Bohl on October 15, 2010 at 3:58pm

Hi all!! I am in Dublin, Ohio and we are working to put something in place after the first of year. We have been working to put things together and will present a "Through the Roof" series in Feb. This will introduce the ministry, the need for buddies, schedule training, and challenge the church to see the need in our church and community and fill that need as best we can. We have been meeting for several weeks now using a lot of material from joni and friends. Please keep me posted with what you have going. Thanks so much, Dean

Comment by Velvet Lozada on August 31, 2009 at 12:22pm

I have been working with Key Ministry for over a year now. They have a wonderful ministry for children with hidden disabilities and have down training workshops for the Columbus Children's Ministry Network and we have scheduled the for a Children's Ministry Connection on Oct. 22. They provide their services free to churches wanting to start a ministry for children with ADHD and Autism. I just received the information below for helping parents and children. Please check it out and also their ministry website.

Wouldn't it be something if a group of churches in Northeast Ohio got together to make free respite care available for families of kids with special needs? It's happening! Check out http:www.breathefellowship.com. Want this for your church? Let us know at www.keyministry.org.
Breathe Fellowship
Source: www.breathefellowship.com
Register for one or more of the many opportunities to take a break, relax, and enjoy some time well deserved.

Comment by Mark Smith on May 22, 2009 at 3:43pm

Wow, I am looking at my new copy of Special Needs Smart Pages by Joni and Friends. I can't think of any question or issue not covered in this resource. Thank you Joni for being used by God to reach so many folks with needs. http://www.joniandfriends.org/store_product.php?product_id=1242

Comment by Velvet Lozada on April 1, 2009 at 5:17pm

Hi
I would like to let everyone know about a special meeting dealing with Hidden Disabilities that will take place on May 2, 2009.
Hidden Disabilities and Your Children’s Ministry
Presented by Central Ohio Children’s Ministry Network and Standard Publishing
Featuring Key Ministry Foundation


Saturday, May 2, 2009

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Eastpointe Christian Church
745 North Waggoner Road, Blacklick OH 43004

Registration – 9:00 AM

Opening – Steve Grcevich, MD, and Katie Wetherbee
Hidden Disabilities 101: Getting Your Ministry Started


From 9-10:00 a.m., 10-11:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, and 1:30-2:30 p.m., there will be breakout session during which you can attend three of the following four one-hour presentations:

Serving Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Church Setting
Cara Daily, Ph.D.

Impact of ADHD on Spiritual Development
Steve Grcevich, M.D.

Modifying your Curriculum to Meet the Needs of All Children
Sheri Halagan, NBCT

Communicating Effectively with Parents of Children with Hidden Disabilities
Katie Wetherbee, M.Ed.


We as the church are called to reach families who are affected by hidden disabilities like autism, ADHD, anxiety, and others. We must make a way for children with these challenges to learn about the saving love of Jesus. These workshop sessions cover definitions, facts, and figures of hidden disabilities in the church and offer practical, hands-on solutions for volunteers who work with children from nursery through elementary. These workshops are free and open to all children’s ministry leaders who want to improve their skills in ministering to these children and their families.

To learn more about Key Ministry, visit www.keyministry.org



“...You will have complete and free access to God’s Kingdom, keys to open any and every door; no more barriers between heaven and earth, and earth to heaven...”

Matthew 16:19 (The Message Bible)

About our Speakers

Cara Marker Daily, Ph.D.
Dr. Cara Marker Daily is a licensed Pediatric Psychologist and Director of Inner Health Ministries Inc. She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology at the University of South Carolina, and completed an internship in Pediatric Psychology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a postdoctoral fellowship in Pediatric Psychology at The Children’s Hospital at The Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Daily is a member of the Department of Pediatrics at Fairview Hospital and a member of the American Psychological Association, the Ohio Psychological Association, the Society of Pediatric Psychology, the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the Christian Association of Psychological Studies.

Sheri Halagan, NBCT
Sheri Halagan is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, where she received a BS in Education, majoring in early childhood and elementary education. She obtained a Masters in Reading from Cleveland State University and is currently a third grade teacher in the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District. Over the past 24 years, she has taught third as well as fourth grade. Sheri received her National Board Certification in 2002 and mentors other teachers through the process. Most recently, she has been involved in a co-teaching program at her school, where she works closely with the special education staff to meet the needs of kids with disabilities in the regular classroom.

Stephen Grcevich, MD
Dr. Steve Grcevich currently serves as President and Founder of The Family Center by the Falls, a multidisciplinary behavioral health group practice based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, exclusively devoted to serving children and families. He also serves as President of Key Ministry Foundation, a non-profit organization charged with assisting churches in the provision of outreach and support services to families of children with hidden disabilities. He is a faculty member of the Department of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.
Dr. Grcevich has published papers evaluating new stimulant medications for ADHD, and conducted research evaluating the safety and efficacy of atypical neuroleptics in children and adolescents. Dr. Grcevich was named “Psychiatrist of the Year” in 1998 by the Ohio Chapter of NAMI and was one of four child psychiatrists in North America to receive the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill at the 1999 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. He and his wife have two beautiful daughters and reside in Bainbridge, Ohio.

Katie Wetherbee, M.Ed.
Mrs. Wetherbee completed her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University, where she majored in Special Education and Human and Organizational Development. She began her teaching career in the Washington, DC area, working at a public school. She has also worked in a hospital setting, as well as teaching continuing education courses at a community college. Mrs. Wetherbee holds a master's degree in education from Hood College, where she served on the adjunct faculty for the Reading Specialist program. She and her husband have two children.

Please let me know if you would like to come to this meeting.