Our Community Grows When We Include Everyone

First Steps provides early intervention for families with children from birth to age three with developmental disabilities and delays.

The Next Step provides targeted case management for people with developmental disabilities age three and over.

Art Inspired Academy provides an inclusive experience for individuals to participate in the creative arts, including theatre, music, movement, and art.

Abilities First Employment Services is designed to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities who want to work and the needs of local employers to have a reliable workforce.

Community Education works with schools, businesses, and community groups to promote inclusion, provides tools and education for individuals and family members to become effective advocates, and focuses on preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with developmental disabilities.

Inspired Boutique is an upscale resale shop featuring name-brand women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories.

Artisan Elements creates and sells innovative hand-cast custom wall tiles, table tops, commercial and residential outdoor benches and larger planters/fire pits from recycled paper or glass, concrete, and commercial additives.

Keep up with us on Facebook!

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Abilities First

Abilities First

The mission of Abilities First is Turning Abilities Into Opportunities.

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1 week ago
Abilities First

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!!
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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!

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Congratulations, Kristi Kliewer! You are an amazing person and have earned everything! Proud of you.

1 week ago
Abilities First

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

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
2 weeks ago
Abilities First

Come enjoy a fun class with Art Inspired Academy: A Program of Abilities First!

Hope to see you there!

Sign up here: square.link/u/OUhFqfmJ
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Come enjoy a fun class with Art Inspired Academy: A Program of Abilities First!

Hope to see you there!

Sign up here: https://square.link/u/OUhFqfmJ
2 weeks ago
Abilities First

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
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Go shop at Inspired Boutique!
2 weeks ago
Abilities First

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3 CommentsComment on Facebook

David Stoeffler

Christopher R.J. Worth

3 weeks ago
Abilities First

Betty Ethridge served at a resource fair in Dallas County for the Missouri Firsr Steps Program! ... See MoreSee Less

Betty Ethridge served at a resource fair in Dallas County for the Missouri Firsr Steps Program!Image attachment
3 weeks ago
Abilities First

Congratulations to Scott SteelmanRhoden for graduating Leadership Springfield Access class!

#theworkbelongsinthecommunity #inclusion
#leadershipspringfield #abilitiesfirst #turningabilitiesintoopportunities

Photo ID: A person in a black shirt with short brown hair and khaki pants is holding a certificate of graduation from Leadership Springfield Access Class and smiling.
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Congratulations to Scott SteelmanRhoden for graduating Leadership Springfield Access class!

#TheWorkBelongsInTheCommunity #Inclusion
#LeadershipSpringfield #AbilitiesFirst #TurningAbilitiesIntoOpportunities 

Photo ID: A person in a black shirt with short brown hair and khaki pants is holding a certificate of graduation from Leadership Springfield Access Class and smiling.

9 CommentsComment on Facebook

YESSSSSS!!! Congratulations!!!!!! Way to go Scott!

Congratulations!!! Scott SteelmanRhoden

Congrats Scott SteelmanRhoden!!! 🎉

Yay Scott SteelmanRhoden!!!! 🎉

Congratulations!

Congratulations Scott SteelmanRhoden!!!

Congratulations!

Congratulations Scott! 🎉

Alright Scott!!

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3 weeks ago
Abilities First

Artisan Elements Jason Matthews is giving a tour to the Director of Vocational Services Chris Upton. ... See MoreSee Less

Artisan Elements Jason Matthews is giving a tour to the Director of Vocational Services Chris Upton.Image attachmentImage attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Izzy enjoyed the tour too! Always good when the boss (the dog) can come along for the day! 🤗

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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:

Dedicated to Inclusion

“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.”

“First Steps will forever be a part of our hearts and our family!”

“Fantastic organization!”

“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.