Our team is honored to participate in the Bioethics Conference and Through The Roof Summit at Cedarville University on September 15-17, co-sponsored by Joni and Friends. Here’s the final lineup of presentations from Key Ministry staff and volunteers:

Rebecca Hamilton and Katie Wetherbee will be joined by two very special guests for their breakout session on Out-of-the-box Outreach: Here’s a summary of their presentation:

Outreach events can be effective in reaching out to the community. However, reaching families affected by disabilities requires “out-of-the-box” thinking. In this session, we’ll examine three different outreach models that meet the needs of these families while pointing them toward the Church.

• Event-based outreach (The Luau, BREATHE Respite)
, Community-based outreach, Chagrin Falls “TigerStripes” program…buddies for community ed/scouts/sports, pen pals, lunch bunches at school
• Community “Block Parties” 
• Alternative Special Programming (One-Day VBS Voyage Respite Event)

Rebecca and Katie will be joined by their daughters for this breakout session…Abby Hamilton, team leader for the 2011 FBC Luau outreach at Fellowship Bible Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Annie Wetherbee, founder of the Tiger Stripes program in the Chagrin Falls Local Schools.

Inner Health Ministries founder and Key Ministry Board member Dr. Cara Daily will be presenting two breakout sessions…Autism Spectrum Disorders:  A Brief Overview, in which participants will learn the basics about pervasive developmental disorders on the autism spectrum, including practical tips for working with children at home and/or in the classroom, as well as Behavior Management in the Classroom. Participants in Cara’s second breakout session will learn the basics of behavior modification, including how to increase positive behaviors, decrease negative behaviors, and teach new behaviors in the classroom.

I’ll be presenting two breakout sessions as well. Here are the summaries:

Breakout One: The Impact of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Spiritual Development

ADHD is the second most common chronic medical condition among kids in the U.S. In this breakout,  participants will review challenges kids with ADHD and their families face in their spiritual lives: attending church, practicing spiritual disciplines, internalizing faith, and maintaining consistent spiritual growth.  Strategies for promoting church participation and spiritual growth among families of kids with ADHD will be presented, along with an exploration of spiritual gifts and talents commonly observed in persons with ADHD.

Breakout Two: Children and Youth Who Demonstrate Aggressive Behavior at Church: What to Do?

Churches are ministering to increasing numbers of children with conditions associated with a heightened risk of aggressive behavior. In this breakout, participants will explore situations at church that increase a child’s risk for aggression and review common precipitants to aggression in kids with specific mental or developmental disorders. Practical strategies will be shared with ministry staff and volunteers for creating environments that reduce the risk of aggression, along with steps for enhancing communication with parents when incidents have occurred.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Cedarville next month! For more information or to register for the Cedarville Bioethics Conference click here.

Interested in joining a bunch of folks who are passionate about families of kids with special needs coming to know and love Jesus Christ?  An event in which any church leader, volunteer or parent anywhere in the world who shares the same passion and has access to the Internet through a computer, tablet or smart phone can join in? That’s Inclusion Fusion. Register here for the Special Needs Ministry Web Summit, coming this November 3rd-5th.