ELCA Disability Ministries is preparing a new resource to help congregations better support youth with disabilities through an Individualized Faith Formation Plan (IFFP). Inspired by educational IEPs but rooted in giftedness rather than diagnosis, the process helps church leaders, youth, and families identify strengths, needed supports, and opportunities for leadership in the life of the congregation. Read more from ELCA Disability Ministries.
Read MoreNearly a year after Congress approved Medicaid funding cuts, questions remain about whether Medicaid should pay for home- and community-based services. In Mosaic’s latest blog, President and CEO Linda Timmons shares why that investment matters: Long-term care is too expensive for most families to afford on their own, and people with disabilities, like anyone else, deserve a say in what their lives look like.
Read MoreHow might disability theology reshape how we imagine ministry and belonging in the body of Christ? At this summer’s Rostered Ministers Gathering, ELCA Disability Ministries will lead a workshop exploring how the gifts, leadership, and lived experiences of people with disabilities are central to God’s inclusive vision for the church. The session takes place July 7 in Indianapolis during the first workshop block.
The workshop invites participants into faithful reflection grounded in both theology and action, offering practical ways to embody a more inclusive and life-giving ministry. Read more from ELCA Disability Ministries.
Read MoreOn June 11, the ELCA churchwide organization will host a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Learning Day focused on strengthening relationships with historically underrepresented communities and deepening practices of belonging across ministry settings. ELCA Disability Ministries Coordinator Rev. Lisa Heffernan will present a workshop on inclusive language, disability models, and building more equitable relationships among colleagues.
The event reflects ongoing efforts to help the church live more fully into inclusion, accessibility, and shared ministry. Read more about the learning day.
Read MorePlanning for the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering is already underway. A recent webinar from Gathering leadership helps congregations discern whether MYLE (Multicultural Youth Leadership Event) or the tAble may be the right fit for young people in their group, offering guidance, context, and practical next steps.
Whether you missed the live webinar or want to revisit the conversation, the recording offers helpful insight for leaders preparing youth for a meaningful and welcoming Gathering experience. Watch the webinar.
Read MoreFor many Direct Support Professionals, the opportunity to touch someone else’s life is what calls them to the job. But many wonder if they can grow professionally while making a meaningful difference. At Mosaic, they can.
Read MoreYoung people who transition to adult services at 21 and their family members often come to Mosaic with many questions. While helping guide them, a critical question Mosaic asks drives the next steps. Learn what that question is here.
Read MoreWhen the person she supports began to be afraid to take a bath, Mosaic Home Provider Arlene Deaner made a home modification that proved life-changing. Home modifications, both big and small, can make a difference for people with physical limitations. The post Creating Comfort: Home Modifications, Big or Small, Can Make an Impact appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreMosaic nurses value the long-term relationships they build with the people they support and find it rewarding. During Nurses Week, three Mosaic nurses share what their workday looks like—flexibility is a must.
Read MoreIt’s Autism Acceptance Month, and Denise McMillen, mother of a son with autism, shares insights she has learned over the years.
Read MoreMosaic continues to empower individuals with disabilities to live full, independent lives across the Grand Canyon Synod. Through direct support, advocacy, and inclusive worship initiatives, Mosaic’s work multiplies good across families, congregations, and communities. Read their 2026 Assembly report.
Read MoreEveryday environments can quickly become overwhelming for people with sensory processing differences. For one Mosaic Home Provider, communication and planning are key to helping the person he supports enjoy church services and community events
The post Managing Sensory Overload: Mosaic Provider Shares Advice, What’s Worked for Him appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreMany of the people we support experience challenges similar to those of anyone else. Staying organized is one of them. It can feel like a constant juggling act, but organization is not about perfection; it’s about finding simple ways to make staying on track easier. Nancy Potter, Mosaic’s Director of Clinical Mental Health & Behavioral Services, shares how our direct support professionals help with that and offers six tips anyone can apply today to stay organized.
The post It’s About Understanding, Not Perfection: Six Tips to Stay Organized appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreWith a special needs trust, you can remember your loved one with a disability in your estate to secure their financial future and protect their ability to continue receiving the Medicaid-funded services they rely on.
The post Plan for Your Child with a Disability’s Financial Security When You’re Gone appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreFocusing only on the causes and a cure for autism too often takes the focus away from the needs of autistic people today. Autism Acceptance Month encourages each of us to assess how we think and act about autistic people.
The post Accept the Person in Front of You Instead of Thinking They Need a Cure appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreMarch is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and this year’s campaign highlights that people with developmental disabilities have always been part of our communities and always will be. Promoting accessibility online is one way we can acknowledge that truth and ensure they're included. Here are 5 easy ways you can make your social media accessible.
The post 5 Ways to Create Accessible Social Media appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreMosaic and our donor partners helped Natasha find a place to belong and get the things she needed to start anew. The positive impact continues to change her life.
The post Donor gifts help young woman start fresh at Mosaic appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreAt the recent Youth Ministry Extravaganza, ELCA Disability Ministries leaders gathered with ministry partners from across the church to share stories, challenges, and hope. Through conversations, workshops, and resource-sharing, a central question emerged: how do we move from simple inclusion to true belonging in our congregations?
Grounded in our call to care for one another as the body of Christ, this reflection invites us to consider how accessibility, community, and relationships shape faithful ministry for all. Read more about these insights and practical resources for your congregation.
Read MoreBarriers to voting for people with disabilities have existed for a long time. Federal laws helped address some of the challenges by setting accessibility requirements and reinforcing voter rights.
In our latest blog, read how a fundamental piece of the puzzle that doesn’t require new laws or regulations—the support to vote— helped Nathan cast his ballot. The post The Right Support Can Help People with Disabilities Vote appeared first on Mosaic.
Read MoreWhile people with disabilities, their family members, and advocates all agree our culture needs to change the attitudes that see disability as a negative thing, but they don’t always agree on how to talk about it. Learn why some advocate people-first language and others advocate identity-first language.
The post Language Shapes Attitudes Around Disabilities appeared first on Mosaic.
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