Abilities First

10/27/2026

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👻

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…

10/27/2026

Have questions about vaccines or where to find reliable information about immunizations?

Join the Abilities First DD Health Home team and Ibrahim "Abe" Alahmad, FNP, on Friday, November 6, at 11:30 a.m. for our Staying Healthy with Vaccines webinar.

This interactive virtual event will cover the importance of vaccines, common misconceptions and trustworthy resources for researching immunizations. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Unable to attend live? Register and email [email protected] to request a recording following the session.

Register here:
a9758f99-439a-4e2c-8f63-77c2cd70ae84@7e5eaf72-8aa5-4632-8a5b-708da2d9887c?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a9758f99-439a-4e2c-8f63-77c2cd70ae84@7e5eaf72-8aa5-4632-8a5b-708da2d9887c?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

10/26/2026

Last week, Abilities First joined community leaders, architects and design professionals for the Universal & Accessible Design Professional Social, hosted by the HOME Team through Community Partnership of the Ozarks.

As a presenting sponsor, Abilities First helped support an evening of conversations about how thoughtful, accessible design can create spaces that work better for people of all abilities.

Our President and CEO, Maggie Rollwagen, spoke about the importance of incorporating accessibility from the beginning, a priority reflected in several projects we're helping bring to our community.

We also enjoyed hearing from a panel of professionals, including Kathe Kristek of Sapp Design Architects, whose work includes several projects supported by Abilities First, such as the J.R. Martin Park inclusive playground and sensory-friendly spaces in local healthcare facilities.

Thank you to the HOME Team and Community Partnership of the Ozarks for bringing these conversations and perspectives together!

10/26/2026

What a wonderful morning on Unscripted AM! We hope to see lots of new faces at this Friday’s sensory friendly Candy Crawl at Abilities First!

Grab your Halloween costumes and stop by anytime from 3-5 p.m. at 3216 S National Ave! 👻

10/22/2026

Halloween is right around the corner, and we're getting ready for a little fun at Abilities First!

Join us next Friday, Oct. 30, for our Sensory Friendly Candy Crawl. Come in costume, bring your candy bucket and make your way through Abilities First for an afternoon of Halloween treats.

The fun will last 3–5 p.m. at our office, located at 3216 S. National Ave.

Be sure to RSVP to the event and be sure to invite all your friends! We hope to see you there!👻🕸️🎃

10/22/2026

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!

10/16/2026

Our halls are looking a little different these days, and we have a feeling a few new residents have moved in. 👀

They’re getting everything ready for our Sensory-Friendly Candy Crawl, and you’re invited!

Join us for an afternoon of costumes, candy, friendly frights and Halloween fun as you make your way through Abilities First.

🎃 Friday, October 30
⏰ 3–5 p.m.
📍 Abilities First | 3216 S. National Ave., Springfield

Our Candy Crawl is designed to be sensory-friendly so more families can enjoy the Halloween festivities at their own pace.

Come dressed in your favorite costume, bring your candy bucket and get ready for a hauntingly good time!

We can’t wait to see you! 👻🍬

10/16/2026

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!

10/09/2026

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!

10/05/2026

Today, the Abilities First and Friends of Abilities First boards came together for our annual board retreat to look ahead, ask important questions and continue shaping the future of our organizations.

Throughout the day, board members and leadership reflected on what is working well, identified opportunities for growth and discussed the priorities and infrastructure needed to support our work in the years ahead.

We began the day at Jordan Valley Health Center’s Women & Children’s Center, where Ryan Kruger, Vice President of Operations at Jordan Valley Health, joined both boards for a mission-centered tour. The visit helped ground the day’s strategic conversations in the people, partnerships and community outcomes both boards are working to advance.

During the retreat, we also recognized our attorney, John D. Hammons, with a Distinguished Advisor award in appreciation of his continued counsel, leadership and support of Abilities First.

Thank you to everyone who brought their time, perspective and ideas to the table. Having both boards together gives us an important opportunity to stay connected, aligned and focused on what comes next!