Leading an Inclusion Initiative Amy Fenton Lee

STATISTICS, LAWS & TRENDS 19% of Americans have a disability 1 in 88 children have autism 1/54 boys, 1/252 girls 7% of children have ADHD 8% of children have a learning disability 10% of children have an anxiety disorder 13% of children have a developmental disability Special Needs Statistics

STATISTICS, LAWS & TRENDS As part of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: LRE = Least Restrictive Environment By law, schools are required to provide a free appropriate education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment that is appropriate to the individual student's needs. LRE) means that a student who has a disability should have the opportunity to be educated with non-disabled peers, to the greatest extent appropriate. They should have access to the general education curriculum, or any other program that non-disabled peers would be able to access. The student should be provided with supplementary aids and services necessary to achieve educational goals ….With the differences in needs varying broadly, there is no single definition of an LRE. Laws In Education

STATISTICS, LAWS & TRENDS Autism 41% of people with an ASD have an intellectual disability What about the other 59%? Trends

THE As OF INCLUSION Accepting the individual and family impacted by special needs Accommodating the specific needs of the child, student, or adult with a disability Advancing the spiritual development of the person with learning differences The Progression of the Ministry

DEFINE OBJECTIVES Differing Church Missions & Demographics Not every church is called to do special needs ministry the same. Not every church has the same resource pool. Diversity of the disability population A churchs competencies tend to build on the attributes and needs of original participants. Delineate long term goals from short goals Address the role of therapy and treatment inside the ministry Determine what the church can do in the short term, and do it well. Proactively shape parent expectations by setting public timeline for ministry progression: Adding hours /services for accommodation Additional settings (VBS) Respite events Parent support Groups Determine the Capabilities & Calling of the Church

THREE INCLUSION MODELS Full Inclusion Utilizes buddies in typical ministry settings Self Contained Special Needs Room Separate classroom Hybrid Individualized plan for each child and may utilize both environments Making it Work

ASSIGN STAFF OWNERSHIP Where does special needs ministry belong? Independent Ministry Pastoral Care Childrens/Family Ministry Making it Work

THE MINISTRY CHAMPION Profile Female impacted by special needs by choice (profession) or through extended family Roles & Responsibilities Administrative Relational & Nurturing Judgment & Leadership Paid vs Volunteer Is the special needs champion providing leadership and guidance for the Church? Is the church staff mentoring and managing the special needs champion? Setting the Leader Up for Success

RISK MANAGEMENT Standard ministry forms Ministry policies Parent advisory committee Lawsuits & Bad Press Setting the Church Up for Success

SUPPORTING THE FAMILY Occasional respite Stephen Ministry Partnership Parent Connection Groups Outings & Easy Events Small Ways to Make a Big Impact

Leading an Inclusion Initiative Amy Fenton Lee