Abilities First

We stopped by Unscripted AM to talk about our upcoming Sensory Friendly Candy Crawl!

Join us this Friday, October 30, from 3–5 p.m. at Abilities First for an afternoon of Halloween fun, costumes and plenty of treats in a sensory-friendly environment.

Thank you to the Unscripted team for having us and helping spread the word about this event!

Click the link below for more info, and we hope to see you Friday👻

Abilities First Sensory Friendly Candy Crawl is Coming Up! Maggie Rollwagen, President and CEO of Abilities First, and Shelby Atkison, Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement, join “Unscripted.” Abilities First will host a…

We're hiring at Art Academy!

Abilities First is looking for a part-time Direct Support Professional (DSP) to join our Art Academy team.

This position offers the opportunity to support people of all abilities as they explore their creativity, develop new skills and participate in programs including visual arts, theater, movement and more.

We're looking for someone who enjoys working with people, values inclusion and wants to contribute to a welcoming, creative environment.

Interested in exploring this position? Learn more and apply online: https://secure8.saashr.com/ta/104751.careers?CareersSearch=&lang=en-US

Please share with anyone who might be a great fit for our Art Academy team!

Accessibility starts with conversations like these!

This week the Abilities First Board welcomed representatives from Mercy Health Foundation, Jordan Valley Health, and the City of Republic Parks & Recreation to discuss opportunities to make our community more accessible and inclusive.

From healthcare facilities to public recreation spaces, each organization shared ideas for removing barriers and creating environments where people of all abilities feel welcome.

A special thank you to Janelle Haik and Alyea Alldredge with Mercy Health Foundation, Bekah Hightower with Jordan Valley Health, and Kris Parks with Republic Parks & Recreation for taking the time to share their ideas and commitment to accessibility.

We’re grateful for community organizations that recognize the importance of creating spaces where everyone has the opportunity to participate!

Abilities First has spent time this week at the 2026 Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services (MACDDS) Conference, connecting with organizations and professionals from across the state who share our commitment to improving services and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Throughout the week, our team has had the opportunity to learn from others, exchange ideas and hear about innovative approaches to better serving people and families in our communities.

One of the highlights was celebrating the Jordan Valley Health Dental Team as they received the 2026 MACDDS Cutting Edge Award! Their innovative “Wishlist” Initiative is helping improve access to healthcare by coordinating essential medical services, reducing unnecessary stress and making care more comfortable for the people they serve.

Congratulations to Dr. Ashley Popejoy, Dr. Derek Smith and the entire team on this well-deserved recognition. We also want to congratulate Missouri State Representative Wendy Hausman on receiving the 2026 MACDDS Special Recognition Award!

Thank you to MACDDS for another great conference and for bringing together so many people dedicated to making a difference across Missouri. We’re looking forward to bringing what we’ve learned back to Greene County!