The Baylor campus is filled with energy and anticipation as students begin another exciting school year. We too are excited about all that lies ahead this year for the Center and our community. In this issue of the newsletter, we introduce you to some of the Center’s signature areas of impact. Although our work is wide-ranging, we are particularly focused on research, training, clinical services, and community outreach in these five focus areas. Read below to learn about some of our upcoming events and projects for this academic year. We hope you will discover some ways you might get involved in this impactful and faithful work. We look forward to seeing each of you back on campus or at one of our upcoming events!
- Erik Carter & Kristen Padilla
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We have welcomed several new Faculty Affiliates to the Center this fall. Read more about their work.
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We are launching a new Community Advisory Council this month. This small group of families, professionals, and self-advocates will speak into this next season of our work.
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Two compelling events are coming up soon—the OSO Able Transition to Adulthood conference and the Community Field Day. Read more about each in the sections below.
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We tabled on Fountain Mall and welcomed students back to campus with free donuts and information on how to get involved with the Center.
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We are launching another year of BCDD Monthly Consortium meetings for Baylor faculty and postdocs. Join us for refreshments, conversation, and connections with others interested in disability-related work. Our welcome-back gathering is on September 24 from 3:30-4:30pm in MMSCI GL 14.
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We held our summer staff retreat this month. We each left so grateful for God’s good provision for the Center and this team.
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Our education-related work focuses on research-based practices, programs, and policies that ensure children and youth with disabilities can flourish educationally in their local schools. We accomplish this work through educator trainings, school-based research, and grant projects that promote academic, social, and behavioral success for students with all abilities. This upcoming year:
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Our bi-monthly workshops for educators will focus on the transition-to-adulthood for students with disabilities. These free trainings will be held at Baylor University from 5:30-7:30 pm on September 12, November 7, February 13, and April 10. Register for the September training.
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We are interested in developing new resources and research focused on the inclusion of students with disabilities in Christian K-12 schools. If you are interested in being part of initial discussions on what this work might look like, contact Erik Carter.
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Our faculty affiliates are implementing applied research projects that address topics such as positive behavior support, inclusion in STEM, transition programming, reading, cultural diversity, and much more.
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We will be hosting a recognition dinner in the spring to honor the impactful work of special educators throughout our region. We love our teachers!
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In collaboration with George W. Truett Seminary and the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, our Bridges to Belonging grant will launch its inaugural cohort of 19 local congregations engaged in learning community around disability, chronic illness, and mental health among youth and young adults.
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How might churches foster a culture of belonging for all people, including disabled persons? In the first of several planned events this year, join us on September 17th for Disability & Church: Building a Culture of Belonging. Dr. Jason Le Shana will host Daniel Moreno, Ministry Relations Manager at Joni & Friends, for a practical conversation about disability and church culture change. Register to attend here.
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Funded by a prestigious Teacher-Scholar Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Dr. Melody Escobar will lead a year-long ethnographic study, “Belonging Under the Bridge.” She will explore the phenomenon of “belonging” within Church Under the Bridge, which has worshiped beneath an Interstate highway near Baylor’s campus for three decades. The project also explores how the church’s innovative worship practices unite members across differences.
- Numerous original research projects are launching, including studies exploring the experiences of youth and young adults with disabilities, church leaders, and parents.
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Our Center works hard to support people with disabilities, their siblings, and parents so that entire families can flourish together. Our growing portfolio of family-focused projects are developing resources and training that address the diverse needs of families in our community. This upcoming year:
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Our quarterly Caregivers as Change Agents workshops will provide parents with resources and supports for their transition-aged youth. Topics will include community inclusion, independent living, and employment. These free trainings will be held Saturday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm on November 9, January 25, April 26, and July 19. Register for the November workshop.
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We are hosting a monthly Parent Support Group for Spanish-speaking families focused on sharing concerns, experiences, resources, and support. Meetings will be held at the BCDD Clinic Site Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:00 pm on September 26, October 24, December 5, January 30, February 27, March 27, and April 24. Register for the September gathering.
- We will be offering a six-week behavior management training series for parents of children with autism. Topics will include an introduction to autism, behavioral principles, prevention and intervention strategies, functional communication training, and more. Contact bcdd@baylor.edu for more information.
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Our second annual Community Field Day is Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at McLane Stadium. Youth and adults with developmental disabilities (ages 12 and older) and their families are invited to enjoy field games and learn about good health. Spots are limited! Register by September 20.
- Save the date for A Special Starry Night, which will take place on Saturday, December 7, at the Hurd Welcome Center. Fill out this form if you're interested in volunteering.
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Our transition-related work focuses on expanding post-high school opportunities supporting access to meaningful college, career, and community experiences for youth and young adults with disabilities. We are also exploring new transition pathways so that young people with disabilities can truly flourish in adulthood. This upcoming year:
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- We are relaunching The HUDDLE, a monthly social group for adults (ages 18+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dates and locations will be set soon. To learn more, contact MacKenzie Wicker.
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Join us for the OsoAble Transition to Adulthood Informational Event on October 10, 2024 at the Mike and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. This full-day event is tailored for adolescents and young adults aged 13-30 with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as their parents, educators, and transition-related service providers, and professionals. Register today. To become a sponsor or vendor, contact MacKenzie Wicker.
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We are launching a new workshop series for transition-aged youth and young adults with IDD. Lean more about obtaining and maintaining employment, creating opportunities friendship and community inclusion, and increasing independence in daily life. This series will take place at the same dates and times of the Caregivers as Change Agents workshops. For more information, contact Kristen Padilla.
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We are working to spur interdisciplinary projects across campus that advance scholarship, the training of students, and community outreach. We invite faculty, postdocs, students and staff to explore ways in which their work intersects with disability. To accomplish this, we will host a variety of activities and events that engage individuals from across campus in hopes to spur great work across disciplines. This upcoming year:
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- We will resume are monthly BCDD Consortium Meetings throughout the academic year. Meetings will be held on September 24, October 29, November 19, January 28, February 25, March 25 and April 29. To be included on our distribution list for meeting updates, contact Kristen Padilla.
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We will be forming special interest and working groups revolved around particular disability topics that intersect with our five signature areas and beyond. If you are interested in forming a group, please contact Kristen Padilla. Learn more at our first Consortium Meeting.
- We are eager to meet new faculty and postdocs interested in this work. Join us for lunch at Penland! We will meet weekly on Mondays at 11:45 am at Penland Dining Hall beginning September 9 (look for table tent signs with the BCDD logo on it).
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Our BCDD-affiliated clinics offer assessments, intervention, and family support for individuals with disabilities. They are also a place for impactful training and research involving our students, staff, and faculty. This upcoming year:
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We are serving as a new training rotation site for Waco Family Medicine Residents and doctoral students in Baylor University’s Occupational Therapy program.
- We are launching a new transition clinic this year focused on assessment, planning, and instruction for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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We will be growing our interdisciplinary clinical training offerings and seeking new partnerships with other departments and programs at Baylor and beyond. For more information, contact Kristen Padilla.
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The work you have just read about is so important and incredibly impactful. Please consider a gift to advance the work of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. As the only disability research center at a Christian university, we are faithfully working to serve our community well and wisely. We would love your support and partnership.
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