Abilities First

05/15/2026

We have a visitor for a few hours at Abilities First. Happy Friday!

05/13/2026

Have you heard the good news?? Art Academy is bringing creative classes to Stone County!

Students recently completed spring-themed paintings during the April Art Academy class in Reeds Spring, led by Susan Buckle-Lamy, one of Abilities First's Direct Support Professionals.

The next class, "Into Summer We Go", will focus on dragonflies, campfires and fireworks through acrylics, watercolors and mixed media.

Class dates: May 26–29
Time: 4:30–6 p.m.
Ages: 13+
Location: OACAC Head Start, 22601 Main Street, Reeds Spring, MO
Open to Stone County residents only

Students may have the assistance of a support person as needed. To register, call (417) 830-9809 or email bobbi@abilitiesfirst.net

05/13/2026

Kim Marple, RN-BC, BSN, represented Abilities First this week at the 35th Annual Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference in St. Charles.

Kim is the Steps Forward Director at Abilities First and co-presented with Ashley Popejoy, DDS, Chief Dental Officer at Jordan Valley Health, on multi-medical needs sedation procedures.

Their presentation focused on a practical model for coordinating procedures that require sedation, such as dental care, imaging and minor surgeries, into one event when possible. For people aging with IDD, this type of coordination can mean fewer barriers to preventive care, fewer repeated sedation events and better support for families, caregivers and medical teams.

Kim brings deep knowledge, steady leadership and strong advocacy to this work, and we are grateful to see her representing Abilities First in conversations that can improve access to care for people of all abilities. Thank you, Kim!

05/11/2026

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05/11/2026

Thank you to Captain Mark Foos, Captain Annesha Umbarger and Office Administrator Tasha Cook with the Springfield, MO Police Department for spending time with Abilities First leadership today.

Their discussion focused on trust, accountability, emotional intelligence, communication and the kind of steady teamwork that helps organizations serve people well. We appreciate SPD taking the time to share practical leadership lessons with our staff and invest in conversations that strengthen the way we work together.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today’s training possible.💙💚

05/09/2026

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“Be my microphone, not my voice.” - Dave Hingsburger

05/08/2026

Mary Ann Gray gave so much of her life to helping people be seen, supported and treated with dignity.

She began working with the Springfield Regional Center in 1990, then with The Next Step, part of Abilities First, as a support coordinator. Through that work, she helped build services, grow awareness and support people of all abilities and their families through some of the hardest parts of life.

Mary Ann helped at least two people buy homes of their own. She stood beside people facing HIV, prejudice, mental illness and neglect. When Mary Ann knew someone needed help, she did not let go until their situation was better.

She was a mentor, an advocate, a protector and part of a work family that loved her deeply. She made lifelong friendships through this work and left a mark on the families she served.

As one mother of a child with autism said, Mary Ann was special.

This Saturday, Clothes Mentor will donate 10% of proceeds to Friends of Abilities First in Mary Ann’s honor, along with additional funds connected to clothing donated by her family.

Stop by Clothes Mentor this Saturday, scan the QR code to give, or donate online in memory of Mary Ann and the work she poured herself into for so many years.

05/08/2026

Mary Ann Gray was the kind of person people remembered because of how she showed up.

In this video, Dick Jones with Special Olympics shares what it was like to know Mary Ann as both a friend and colleague. He called her the best support coordinator he ever had the privilege of working with.

That speaks volumes to the person Mary Ann was.

She stayed with people through hard, complicated situations. She pushed for better outcomes. She helped people move toward more independence, including helping at least two people purchase homes of their own. She mentored others, helped build awareness and played a role in the early work that shaped new services for people of all abilities.

Mary Ann was steady, determined and deeply loved by the families and coworkers who knew her.

This Saturday, Clothes Mentor will donate 10% of proceeds to Friends of Abilities First in Mary Ann’s honor, along with additional funds connected to clothing donated by her family.

Stop by Clothes Mentor this Saturday, scan the QR code to give, or donate online in memory of Mary Ann and the work she gave so much of her life to.

05/06/2026

The 2026 Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference is just around the corner, and Abilities First is proud to be part of the conversation.

Kim Marple, RN-BC, BSN, Director of DD Health Home at Abilities First, will present alongside Ashley Popejoy, DDS, MS, on May 12 at 8:30 a.m. at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri.

Their session, Multi-Medical Needs Sedation Procedures: Enhancing Safety, Access, and Outcomes, will focus on coordinated care strategies that help improve safety, access, and outcomes.

Learn more here: https://www.agingwithdd.org/conference/

05/04/2026

Abilities First shared so much joy in participating in this year’s ArtsFest on Historic Walnut Street over the weekend.

We shared space alongside 100+ artists, a stage filled with live music, hands-on art, food and most importantly, our community!

Many stopped to learn more about our programs at Abilities First; First Steps, Next Steps, DD Health Home Steps Forward, Art Academy and Community Connect. We also heard from the public, as they shared everything they’re 💙💚

We loved being a part of this year’s celebration and look forward to next year💕

05/04/2026

Historic Walnut Street gave us the perfect backdrop this weekend for connection, creativity and community.

Several of our staff from Abilities First were at Artsfest alongside Drury students who helped bring the campaign to life, sharing a simple message: people of all abilities belong in the spaces where art, stories and community come together.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, talked with us and learned more about the programs offered at Abilities First.