Maybe the biggest challenge most children’s ministries face is how to become a place where special needs kids can learn and grow. Amy Fenton Lee specializes in doing just that. She has put together a team of speakers who will help you learn what works in special needs ministry.The Children’s Ministry Expo (CMX) is excited to offer a fast paced, special needs track for the very first time. This track is designed for people in churches who currently offer programs for their special needs community and those who are in the early stages of beginning one. Pre-Expo, July 6th, offers time to explore exhibitors with special needs products and general exhibitors before workshops begin on Thursday July 7th during the main event in Lexington, KY. The $25 admission ticket is the best “bang for your buck” opportunity for church staff and volunteers to learn about special needs inclusion. Make plans now to join us in Lexington, KY!
Special Needs Presenters
Alyssa Barnes, PhD. is an assistant professor at North Georgia College & State University. Alyssa teaches and supervises pre-service dual certified (elementary/special education) teachers. Before pursuing graduate degrees in special education and teaching on the college level, Alyssa taught full inclusion classrooms inside public elementary schools. Her specializations include inclusion, education law and education policy. Alyssa frequently lends her expertise to children’s ministry publications on the subjects of behavior management and teaching strategies for environments including children with special needs.
Jolene Philo is the parent of a son with special needs, taught kids with learning disabilities for 25 years, and served as director of assimilation and discipleship at her church for 4 years. Her book, A Different Dream for My Child: Meditations for Parents of Critically and Chronically Ill Children was released by Discovery House Publishers in 2009. She is currently working on a new book, Different Dream Parenting: Raising a Child with Special Needs. She blogs about special needs at www.DifferentDream.com and about daily life at www.jolenephilo.com.
Kristy Moser is the Pastor of Early Childhood with Crosstown Children’s Ministry at Montgomery Community Church in Cincinnati, OH. She will be sharing her “Special Needs Toolbox.” Every building project requires special tools and skills to be solid and successful. Starting a ministry is no different. So how do you build a special needs ministry from the ground up? Come learn what tools you need to start a special needs ministry and how to take it to the next level.
Amy Fenton Lee is a writer who focuses much of her research and writing on helping churches successfully include children with special needs. Amy’s articles have been featured in a variety of national, regional, Christian and secular publications. As the daughter of a church pastor and an active children’s ministry volunteer, Amy understands the unique subculture of the church. Amy administers The Inclusive Church Blog and is a regular contributor to K! Magazine. For more on Amy and her writing see amyfentonlee.com
| Thursday July 7 | |||
| 9:00 | Special Needs Room | Amy Fenton Lee | Getting Started - Special Needs Ministry Checklist |
| 10:30 | Special Needs Room | Jolene Philo | Ministering to the Family Through the Diagnosis |
| 12:00 | LUNCH on your own | LUNCH on your own | |
| 1:00 | Special Needs Room | Dr. Alyssa Barnes | Behavior Management Strategies and Teaching Techniques |
| 2:30 | Special Needs Room | Meaghan Wall | Including the Child with Autism |
| 4:00 | Special Needs Room | Meaghan Wall | Setting Everyone Up For Success: Volunteer best practices and ministry policies |
| 5:00 | Special Needs Room | Special Needs Panel | Q & A: Your questions answered on Special Needs Kidmin |
_______________
Vendors with tie to special needs will be exhibiting as part of this Expo. If you are a vendor and would like to exhibit at CMX, please contact Terra at terra@kidzblitz.com or 1-800-467-1711. Note: Vendor fee is only $200!
