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Message from the President: Shelly Christensen, September 2014

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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.

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Message from the President: Anne Masters, April 2014

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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:

An Embarrassment of Riches! Key Ministry Website and Related Resources Review

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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.
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Speaking of Journals

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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.

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Using a Vertical Integration Model to Ensure the Provision of Faith Based Opportunities for Persons with Special Needs and Talents

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Since there may be new members (hopefully!) who are reading my product review column for the first time I’ll quickly reintroduce myself. My name is Don Healy. I’m a retired special education faculty member of Western Illinois University Quad Cities (Moline, Illinois). One of my volunteer activities for this organization is in the area of product reviews. You can read my previous reviews as well once you have accessed this newsletter. If you have something you would like me to review, please contact me at DE-Healy@wiu.edu.

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Message from the President, August 2013

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Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying some summer moments. This newsletter will focus on highlights of the annual conference. As always, it was a great combination of learning, networking, rich discussion and fellowship. Dinner was fantastic and wonderful fun!

Next year’s annual conference will be June 23 – 26 in Orlando FL, a very fun place to be! I hope you can make it.

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