AAIDD Religion & Spirituality Network
"Working to foster opportunities for spiritual growth among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities."
by Deborah Fisher, Psy.D., Strategic Initiatives Consultant to the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) released new regulations governing Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers in 2014. These represent an important shift in the services delivery model. Focused now on Person-Directed Outcomes, these regulations reflect the collective legislative and judicial wisdom of the ADA and Olmstead decision.
The Executive Committee of the Religion and Spirituality Division had a wonderful problem on our hands. For the first time that any of us could remember, we had more than one nominee for the Henri J. Nouwen Award! Five tremendously talented and passionate people were nominated and each one is a role model who inspires others in so many ways. How fortunate our faith communities are to have such devoted and committed individuals serving them in a variety of capacities.
Continue reading “Barbara J. Newman is the Henri J. Nouwen Award Honoree”
Welcome to the April 2015 edition of the Religion and Spirituality Division of AAIDD news. We are having a busy and productive year with our partnership with the National Collaborative on Faith and Disability Network Webinar Series.
Continue reading “April 2015 Message from the Division President: Shelly Christensen, AM”
Minutes AAIDD Religion and Spirituality Division, June 24, 2014, at the AAIDD National Conference
Anne Masters, Deborah Huggins, Bill Gaventa, Tom VanWingerden, Neil Cudney, David Morstad, Sr. Gabrielle Kowalski, Deborah Fisher, Shelly Christensen.
The consent agenda which was emailed to the Religion and Spirituality Division members prior to this business meeting was approved unanimously by all in attendance.
Neil Cudney elected Vice President to serve for 2 years, and then become President in 2016.
Continue reading “Minutes from the 2014 Religion and Spirituality Division Forum”
Shalom,
I’m Shelly Christensen, the new President of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Religion and Spirituality (R & S) Division. I have worked in the spiritual supports field for over 13 years directing the Jewish Community Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis. In May I left JFCS to focus on my work in other communities. As we all know, there is much to do to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they may contribute to their own faith communities and share their gifts with others.
Continue reading “Message from the President: Shelly Christensen, September 2014”
You can participate live in the 2014 AAIDD Religion and Spirituality Division Forum through the video below!
Tune in from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Thursday, June 26th 2014. More information about the business meeting is available here.
Continue reading “2014 AAIDD Religion and Spirituality Division Forum”
Dear Friends,
This will be the last newsletter before the annual meeting in Orlando, FL June 23-26 and it is focused on preparation for it. It is also my last letter as president of the division. It has been an honor to serve you in this capacity.
Continue reading “Message from the President: Anne Masters, June 2014 Pre-Conference Edition!”
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
This year’s annual meeting in Orlando, FL June 23-26 will be another excellent opportunity for learning, sharing and networking. Check out all the great sessions planned. Below is list of division activities:
Continue reading “Message from the President: Anne Masters, April 2014”
Another web-based resource in the area of disability ministry services has been brought to my attention and I felt our “Gleanings Family” would enjoy knowing more about it. Bill Gaventa and I would also like to encourage any readers who have found resources that they would like to write about or refer to me (Don Healy DE-Healy@wiu.edu) for purposes of review to contact us anytime.
Continue reading “An Embarrassment of Riches! Key Ministry Website and Related Resources Review”
Did you take time to look at the latest copy of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (December, 2013)? Jim Thompson’s Presidential Address is in that issue, and can also be found at the AAIDD website. It is an excellent overview of the past history of the field and key issues and goals for AAIDD. If you want to introduce someone to AAIDD, that is a good resource to share.
AAIDD Religion & Spirituality Network 