Our Community Grows When We Include Everyone
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Grant funding is provided to local non-profit agencies and direct support services for vocational services, early intervention, residential services, independent living assistance, employment, and transportation. These funds are provided by the citizens of Greene County through a property tax levy to support people with developmental disabilities. The Abilities First Board of Directors is responsible for administering these funds.
Abilities First works closely with other community agencies by providing funding and additional resources.
Our partner agencies include:
Arc of the Ozarks
Art Inspired Academy
Artisan Elements
Community Education
Developmental Center of the Ozarks
DMH/Partnership for Hope Waiver
EnCompass Academy
Inspired Boutique
MSU Foundation (Bear Power)
Nova Center of the Ozarks
Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation
SWI Industrial Solutions
Springfield Workshop Transit Company
Willard Parks and Recreation
Dedicated to Inclusion
“First Steps will forever be a part of our hearts and our family!”
“I am so happy that my son has a chance to do something like this. He has wanted to participate in school music and theatre, but was either told he was too disruptive or that he couldn’t keep up. It is a gift for him to be able to show the world what he can do.”
“Fantastic organization!”
“I don’t know what we would do without Abilities First. They have really helped our son and family a lot over the last few years.”
“My son is like a totally different child, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of these amazing early intervention services.”
Judith Heumann: 100 Women of the Year ... See MoreSee Less
Judith Heumann: 100 Women of the Year
time.com
Find out why TIME chose Judith Heumann as one of the 100 women who defined the last century0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Do people look at you as someone who would hold the rope in the community?
This analogy has been used for decades to motivate performance and build teams. Abilities First is holding the rope in house and all around the community to support our partners, one another and inclusion of people with and without disabilities in all we do.
Come hold the rope with us! ... See MoreSee Less
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🎉🎉 Congratulations to Tom Jenson for being honored for inclusive excellence and selfless respectful service from Abilities First at the quarterly Get Inspired meeting today. Tom shows excellence in all areas. There is power in partnerships! 💪🏻💪🏻
#holdtherope #inclusion #abilitiesfirst
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Join us for this year’s Silver Strands Celebration honoring Dr. Kyle John with The Arc of the Ozarks in recognition of his passion for inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. The celebration will take place on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Hickory Hills Country Club. Proceeds benefit Friends of Abilities First.
It is going to be a lovely evening.
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Silver Strands Celebration 2024
givebutter.com
Help us honor Dr. Kyle John1 CommentComment on Facebook
Silver sparkles flow across the top of the infographic. Silver Strands Celebration is written in cursive followed by the following message. Friday, April 12, 2024 in honor of Kyle John, M.D. Hickory Hills Country Club, 3090 E. Cherry Street Springfield, Missouri. A photo of Dr John smiling is on the left side. Another row of silver sparkles flow across the bottom of the infographic.
Celebrating new employees is a beautiful thing. Welcome to the team!
Photo ID: Three women are standing in front of a pink colorful balloon arch beside to light up letters, A and F. ... See MoreSee Less
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It’s so nice to see so many great Abilities First social media posts! Good job!
Lauren!
We are so proud of the work our professionals do everyday to promote full inclusion!!
Congratulations Kristi Kliewer for your selfless respectful service. You are incredible!The Governor's Council on Disability is excited to share the 2023 recipients of the annual Inclusion Awards and Youth Leadership Awards.
oa.mo.gov/commissioners-office/news/governor's-council-disability-announces-winners-2023-annual-recognition
Inclusion Award winner: Alisha Favazza, Hollister R-V School District
Inclusion Award honorable mention: Kristi Kliewer, Abilities First
Youth Leadership Award winner: Lydia Olmsted
Youth Leadership Award honorable mention: Margot Epstein
Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions!! ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations, Kristi Kliewer! You are an amazing person and have earned everything! Proud of you.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month National and Women’s History Month - Celebrate women with disabilities in March!!!!
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, first proclaimed in 1987 by President Reagan during a significant time of social change and shortly before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the presidential proclamation called upon Americans to provide the “encouragement and opportunities” necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential.
These should not be viewed as competing events. In fact, in terms of the barriers that women and people with developmental disabilities still struggle to overcome, they have more in common. Both have to address stereotypes and discrimination.
#Inclusion #CelebrateWomen #CelebrateDisability #AbilitiesFirst #BetterTogether ... See MoreSee Less
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Come enjoy a fun class with Art Inspired Academy: A Program of Abilities First!
Hope to see you there!
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Go shop at Inspired Boutique!When wearing a printed pant pair it with a classic white shirt! 🥰
Shirt: $16, Chico’s, Size 1(small)
Pant: $16, New York and Co, Size S
#inspiredboutique #upscaleresale #inclusion #shopwithapurpose ... See MoreSee Less
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