Author Archives: Dr. G

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About Dr. G

Dr. Stephen Grcevich serves as President and Founder of Key Ministry, a non-profit organization providing free training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities. Dr. Grcevich is a graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), trained in General Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. He is a faculty member in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at two medical schools, leads a group practice in suburban Cleveland (Family Center by the Falls), and continues to be involved in research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medications prescribed to children for ADHD, anxiety and depression. He is a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Grcevich was recently recognized by Sharecare as one of the top ten online influencers in children’s mental health. His blog for Key Ministry, www.church4everychild.org was ranked fourth among the top 100 children's ministry blogs in 2015 by Ministry to Children.

Kids don’t want to be seen as “different”

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Dr. G

The best possible solutions for including kids with mental illness at church would include those offering potential benefits to all children and families without drawing attention to any particular child, those that help kids to prepare privately for participation in church activities outside the scrutiny of peers and solutions that offer necessary supports without requiring children or families to self-identify in order to receive help. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Experiencing Genuine Community Online…Nils Smith

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Dr. G

Today I want to encourage you that your online relationships can be just as full, deep and meaningful as your face-to-face relationships. Our world is moving online and instead of trying to fight that inevitable shift, what we should instead focus on is how can we build the relationships we want in our lives, both online and in person. Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Perry Noble’s admission says about mental illness, stigma and church

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Dr. G

What’s fascinating (from a psychiatrist’s perspective) about Perry’s experiences is the progression he went through over a period of years in his attitudes regarding mental illness and what they may have to say about levels of stigma in the church related to mental health treatment. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

One Family’s Journey in the Bible Belt…guest post from Stephanie Prosser

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Dr. G

Stephanie offered to share her family’s story with our readers. It serves as a stark reminder that while great strides are being made in opening more churches to families of kids with special medical, behavioral, emotional and developmental needs, there continue to be cities of substantial size here in the U.S. where families impacted by disability have nowhere to go on Sunday mornings if they wish to worship as a family. Here’s Stephanie… Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A great night at Parkside Church!

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Dr. G

I came away from our time last night impressed with the need for church leaders seeking to serve families impacted by disability to have someone to whom they can turn for practical advice and support when they experience challenges related to inclusion. It’s my hope that those serving in the field will feel confident turning to Key Ministry for that advice and support. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Updated…Why your kid’s Concerta hasn’t been working lately

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Dr. G

Based on an analysis of data, FDA has concerns about whether or not two approved generic versions of Concerta tablets (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets), used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children, are therapeutically equivalent to the brand-name drug. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Controversies, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Introducing Nils Smith…our featured presenter for Inclusion Fusion in March

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Dr. G

Nils will be engaging in a wide-ranging discussion on the topic “Is Online Christian Community Really Community?” As part of our discussion, Nils will discuss how churches may use their existing online resources to minister to families of kids with disabilities. Continue reading →

Posted in Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Leadership, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barriers to inclusion…What if nobody knows the kid needs help?

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Dr. G

Our existing disability ministries typically do a very good job of meeting the needs of families of children easily identifiable physical disabilities, or obvious weaknesses weaknesses in intellectual capacity or adaptive functioning. But what happens when the disability isn’t so obvious? Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Ministry Environments, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Inclusion Fusion returns on March 6…

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Dr. G

In addition to our online Summit in November, Inclusion Fusion will be offered as a monthly disability ministry symposium on the first Thursday of each month with a focus on either one headline speaker or one topic of interest to those involved with the disability ministry movement. Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A success story from my church…

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Dr. G

I saw the following story in my church bulletin this morning and wanted to share it to remind everyone how much of a difference inclusion ministry done well can make in the lives of the families served. Kudos to Beth Golik and her crew at Bay Presbyterian Church for a job well done! Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment