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
“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.”
“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!”
“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.”
“Fantastic organization!”
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!
Sign up here: square.link/u/OUhFqfmJ ... See MoreSee Less
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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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David Stoeffler
Christopher R.J. Worth
Thank you for sharing! Sign up link is here - docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl9zr-JiDUoSQ9mUCfgat83arCN1yoMAkwpbD550nXb33K3g/viewform
Congratulations Christopher Upton! We are so proud of your nomination for Springfield Business Journal man of the year for 2024!! ... See MoreSee Less
SBJ announces 2024 class of Men of the Year - Springfield Business Journal
sbj.net
An independent panel of judges has chosen the 14th annual class of Springfield Business Journal’s Men of the Year.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Betty Ethridge served at a resource fair in Dallas County for the Missouri Firsr Steps Program! ... See MoreSee Less
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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. ... See MoreSee Less
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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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Artisan Elements Jason Matthews is giving a tour to the Director of Vocational Services Chris Upton. ... See MoreSee Less
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Izzy enjoyed the tour too! Always good when the boss (the dog) can come along for the day! 🤗