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The Local Church as an Agent of
Natural Supports to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Copyright 1993, the Board of Trustees of California State University, San
Bernardino
By Jeff McNair, Ph. D.
Abstract
Persons with disabilities have typically relied upon federal and state
funded programs to support them in their daily lives. With the diminishing of
resources, other avenues need to be pursued. This article discusses the local
church as a vehicle for supporting individuals with disabilities. Areas of
support typically associated with transition programs are described. A rationale
for involvement in the local church is articulated.
Transition Outcomes
The transition movement has developed in order to assist individuals with
disabilities to access adult outcomes. In the past, significant numbers of
persons with disabilities were not accessing the outcomes typically associated
with being an adult. Generally speaking, these outcomes can be grouped under
four headings. These include 1) employment, 2) independent living, 3) recreation
and leisure pursuits, and 4) what might be termed "social
satisfaction." Let us look at each of these briefly.
Employment relates to the having of a job. This job has come to be defined in
special education and rehabilitation circles as being comprised of 3 elements.
Jobs are to be integrated, paid minimum wage or better, and entail the
performance of socially valuable work or service. Independent living relates to
living in the "least restrictive environment" possible for a specific
individual. The least restrictive environment implies a continuum of living
arrangements encompassing the range from intermediate care facility to one
having this or her own apartment or owning his or her own home. In the area of
recreation and leisure, outcomes include opportunities to pursue one's own
personal avocational interests. This area is important in that not only does
this area enrich one's life, it is through these activities that friendship are
frequently developed. Finally, although one might be employed, living as
independently as possible, and having the opportunity to recreate, there might
still be feelings of a lack of social satisfaction in life. Perhaps an
individual has a limited or nonexistent sphere of friends, or is unfulfilled in
work, leisure or living arrangements. This area of social satisfaction will in
many ways temper how the other areas are perceived and should therefore be
considered a full partner in determining the "success" of an adult.
Funding
A key concern in the provision of any state provided services is the funding of
such services. Although transition services have been mandated in the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Legislation), funding
continues to be a pivotal issue. Additionally, the IDEA legislation only carries
an individual through to age 22. At that point, they are to be picked up and
served by other agencies such as the Department of Rehabilitation, Social
Security Administration, Department of Mental Health, or the Department of
Developmental Disabilities. Each of these agencies have their own set of
eligibility criteria. Additionally each of them have their own waiting periods,
and fiscal constraints. For example, in California, the State Department of
Rehabilitation made it a priority to serve the "most severely disabled
clients." These constraints compound the difficulty which clients face in
attempting to access appropriate services.
From the service provider's perspective, funding is obviously a major issue.
Increased case loads translate into spartan service provision and often
frustrated case workers. Clients as a result become frustrated with services and
either choose not to participate if they are able to do so or just loose hope.
In some situations, clients will face nearly year long waiting periods for basic
Rehabilitation services. In the meantime, they remain out of work, and at times
homeless.
The above discussion is not meant to be an indictment of adult service agencies.
By no means. These agencies struggle with the constraints they face. As stated,
they are also frustrated with their inability to serve their clients. Rather,
the above comments might be considered an indictment on the system.
State Support versus Natural Support
Much of the frustration described above grows out of the assumption that if the
state does not provide support services, than none will be experienced by the
individual needing services. Anecdotally, I have observed that the reliance upon
the state oftentimes results in a form of "learned helplessness." The
learned helplessness, however, is not constrained to the individual needing the
assistance, but also to others in the community having the potential to help.
Although not overtly stated, the sentiment is not unlike that of Ebenezer
Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Scrooge when approached by agents
of a charitable foundation remarks:
"Are there no prisons? . . .And the Union work houses? . . . Are they
still in operation? . . .The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour,
then? . . . Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had
occurred to stop them in their useful course, . . . I help support the
establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off
must go there."
His assumption although portrayed in a negative manner is that because he pays
taxes he is therefore removed from any obligation to the poor. More importantly
for our purposes, he assumes that his taxes are adequately providing for the
needs of the poor. Now if the poor were regularly within his midst, if they were
somehow a part of his life, then he would recognize that the state only provides
a subsistence level of support and much more is needed. As the agents of the
charitable organization state:
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do
it, and decrease the
surplus population. Besides -excuse me- I don't know that."
"But you might know it," observed the gentleman.
He might know it. However, because he is sheltered from them he is able to live
on in his misconceptions about how they live.
What is needed is some means whereby those individuals needing support can
intrude upon the sheltered haven of those having the potential to provide
support but not providing it. I believe that most people if confronted with a
problem will attempt to be a part of the solution rather than a part of the
problem (note that I said MOST). The generosity of these individuals is often
stifled, however, by their not knowing what to do. "I would love to help,
but I don't know where to start." A statement such as this in some ways
betrays the maker as someone who is removed from the situation. Referring back
to Scrooge again, after his interactions with the Christmas ghosts, he
immediately grasped ahold of a course of action. The ghosts brought him into
direct contact with Bob Cratchit's situation. He therefore used his resources to
purchase a goose, buy toys for the children, assist with medical services for
Tiny Tim, etc. Additionally, he sought out the agents of the charitable
foundation and made a generous contribution. That is, Scrooge recognized that he
could help by supporting individuals with whom he had direct contact while
concurrently augmenting state benefits by contributing to the coffers of
organizations providing services to supplement the state benefits.
The Local Church
It wasn't until Scrooge was confronted by the three ghosts that he finally saw
his responsibilities clearly. In order to impact persons having the potential to
support individuals with disabilities in the community, we must find the
appropriate time and place for the confrontation. This setting ideally would be
one where 1) the individual people who are meeting have an interest in helping
others, 2) that the people who are meeting represent a divergent group of
people, having expertise in many areas, and 3) that the group itself be
committed to helping people. It would also be beneficial if the group were one
that was available in virtually every community. Finally, it would be important
for this group to be a "free agent." That is that, themselves are not
necessarily linked with a specific adult agency. Rather, they can act on their
own behalf, apart from governmental regulations.
The above could be a characterization of the local church. As a group, churches
probably comprise the largest philanthropic organization on earth. If a church
is worth its salt, it is in the business of improving the lives of others.
People attending churches represent a wide variety of socioeconomic levels,
occupations, and social networks. The match between the needs of adults with
disabilities and the local church is truly "made in heaven" (pardon
the pun). Unfortunately, if one were to examine the recent natural support
literature, little is written about this potential relationship (Nisbet, 1992).
Rules For Participation
The devil's advocate might ask, "Yes, but what is the price for the
receiving of support from the local church" (sounds like something an
advocate for the devil would say). Because the church is a free agent, and can
spend its resources as it pleases, requirements for the reception of services
would be linked to meeting the standards a local church would impose. Some
churches are very circumscribed in their requirements. Many people choose to go
to churches such as these. Others are less dogmatic. Many people also choose to
go to churches like these. Our goal should be to try to engage as many churches
as possible in ministry to individuals with disabilities, so the individuals
with disabilities will have a choice. If the only ministry in town is at the
Baptist church, then you either conform to the program of Baptist church, or
choose to not participate. However, if Baptist , Presbyterian, Catholic, and
Evangelical Free churches all offer programs for developmentally disabled
adults, then there is more room for choice. With increasing participation there
are increased options to find a church home which meets one's specific needs.
Independent of which type of church offers a program, what might be requirements
for participation? I know of no church which would prohibit someone from simply
attending. This would require the least level of commitment. As an attendee,
there would be exposure to church teaching. With increased interest, one might
get involved in attending a specific group, like a class for adults with
developmental disabilities. With further interest one might become involved in
service to the church in the form of assisting to set up chairs, serving
communion, acting as an usher, or working with children. Finally, one might
choose to become a member of the church. This process results in a commitment
that usually implies one will regularly attend and pray for the church and its
members, as well as contribute time, talent and money to the ministries of the
church. When one ultimately makes the decision to become a member of the church,
such a commitment is joyfully undertaken. There is no compulsion.
Above, it was stated that receiving support would be linked to meeting whatever
the standards a local church would impose. Although this is true, more than
likely, much of the support would be provided by individuals, not on the basis
of decisions of some church elder board or the like. Therefore, linkages would
be based on people getting to know each other and then giving whatever help was
needed. That is, if someone needed a ride somewhere, or five dollars, or some
moral support it would be provided by free agents within the larger church body.
Areas in Which the Church can
Provide Assistance
There are probably as many areas in which churches can provide support to
individuals with disabilities as there areas needing support. In my ten year
tenure in church ministries to adults with developmental disabilities, churches
and church members have provided assistance in innumerable ways. However, as our
goal in this article is to describe the benefit relative to transition services,
we will focus our attention on areas related to transition.
The author is currently directing a program for adults with developmental
disabilities at a local church. Below we will list each transition support area.
We will then briefly provide examples of how our program has been influential in
facilitating appropriate outcomes relative to that area.
Finding Employment. Often and for a variety of reasons, individuals with
disabilities are unable to gain employment. At times this is due to an inability
to link up with adult service agencies. Whatever the reason, churches have been
able to find employment for individuals with disabilities. For example, our
church program was able to assist a young man find employment. This individual
was not receiving SSI, was not eligible for Developmental Disability services,
and was on a 10 month waiting list to see the a Rehabilitation counselor. We
were able to find this individual a part time position on a volunteer basis.
After working for 3 weeks as a volunteer, he was hired as a full time employee.
Health/Medical Services. Depending upon which services an individual with a
developmental disability is receiving, he may or may not be already eligible for
medical benefits. An individual in our program once injured his back. At that
time he was not receiving Social Security services. His injury needed immediate
medical attention, so we could not wait for the appointment scheduled a month
hence, to begin the process to become eligible. Through physicians within our
church, we found out about a program called the Medically Indigent Adult
program. A church member drove the man to the emergency room at the hospital,
assisted him to fill out forms, waited with him for 5 hours, took him to a
pharmacy and purchased his medication, and then drove him home.
Transportation. There have been many cases of church members providing
transportation to church and other events to participants in our program. As a
member of our program becomes known to more church members and visa versa, the
potential for the meeting of transportation needs becomes increasingly more
likely.
Financial Support. It is a common occurrence for church members to assist
program participants financially. When a class participant was out of work,
church members hired the individual to do odd jobs. Additionally, members will
give money on random occasions.
Social Support. Much of the activities of the church revolve around social
events. These include everything from regular church services, to family events,
to special dinners or programs. Participants in our program periodically choose
to be involved in these events. Additionally, it is not uncommon for them to be
asked out for lunch after church.
On one occasion, a woman in our program was invited out to have her hair done by
a person from the congregation. In the midst of conversation, the woman with the
disability stated that someday she hoped to have some work done on her teeth.
She has lost two of her front teeth in a fall. The friend who had taken her out
to the hair appointment mentioned the woman's desire to another friend at
church. To make a long story short, the woman is scheduled to see an
orthodontist from the church who will be providing her with his services free of
charge.
Finding Independent Living Arrangements. To date, we have not had the
opportunity to assist any of our program members in finding living arrangements.
This is, however, a hope for the future. One person within our church is
attempting to set up living arrangements which could be used on a temporary
basis. That is, should an individual loose her current living arrangements and
have no where to stay, she would have the opportunity to stay at this residence
for a period of up to a month. The funding for these arrangements will most
likely come from the church.
Education. Churches provide a variety of educational services to attendees of
the church. Christian churches provided Biblical training in areas relative to
spiritual issues as well as Christian behavior. However, it does not end there.
In one of our recent classes, we explained to program members the risks
associated with sexual intercourse with multiple partners. This frank discussion
included the risks associated with sexually transmitted diseases. Of course
matters of sexuality as well as other areas are couched in a Christian
perspective, and efforts are made to help class members to apply the training to
their lives.
In another situation, a class member was taking classes through an adult school
program. An individual from the church assisted the student with her work,
including preparing reports on a computer. This support not only helped the
student to do well in her class, but also was an encouragement to her to stick
with her studies.
Opportunities for Service. One other area of support is to provide opportunities
to the adults with developmental disabilities for service. Just as nondisabled
church goers need opportunities to serve, members with disabilities also relish
in opportunities to serve. Service is a tangible expression of our faith. In our
program, persons with disabilities have worked with children's ministries, acted
as ushers, and have assisted in a variety of other areas. With responsibility
comes dignity, and individuals with developmental disabilities need dignity as
much as any of us.
The Church as an Agent in Softening
Social Environments
In a past article on workplace support (McNair, 1991) the author described ways
in which the workplace could be "softened" via the use of several
strategies. One of the strategies, built upon the work of Hazasi, Gordon, &
Roe (1985). These authors discussed the importance of the "parent, family,
Friend network" in the finding of potential job placements. McNair (1991)
described how the employer's desire for positive regard from the network can
result in the opening of otherwise closed employment settings. He also suggested
that because the workplace was approached through the network, minor social
skill deficits would be more likely to be tolerated. Workers would be less
likely to loose their jobs for minor social skill reasons because of the
continuing positive regard desired by the employer from the network. By
approaching employers through networks when attempting job development or job
placement there would tend to be a greater likelihood that the job would be
maintained because of the relationship between the employer and the network.
When an individual becomes a member of a church they immediately inherit an
extensive network. In Christian churches, the analogy is even used of
"being adopted into God's family." Therefore, when an individual
becomes a member of a church, they immediately increase their network by the
number of members within the church. It should also be added that this new
"church family" is the individual's own network. They choose to become
involved with the church, so they build their own network.
The church network, however, is not limited to members of the church. The
network also includes their families, and acquaintances. Additionally, there are
networks of professionals having that specific area of religious dedication. The
author, for example is a member of several Christian faculty groups. Such is the
same for Christian physicians, businessmen, etc. Via church membership, people
truly become potentially connected with extensive networks which once again are
trying to serve God, an integral part of which is serving their fellow man.
Now the points described above relative to the use of networks to soften work
environments applies here also. Only the local church offers the opportunity to
soften such a myriad of networks.
Can you imagine the difference in human service activities if an individual with
disabilities was firmly entrenched in a local church. Job development would
perhaps start at the local church. The seeking of living arrangements would
include opportunities through the local church. Assistance with social
satisfaction would be an ongoing activity of the local church, and many
recreation and leisure activities would be focussed around the local church.
Through involvement in local church recreation activities, transportation would
also be facilitated.
Conclusions
In this article an attempt was made to outline the potential benefits of local
church involvement to individuals with disabilities. Specific instances of
generous, non-state funded support are described. A rationale is also provided
as to why people with disabilities need to find their way to a local church.
When George Bush was president, he coined the phrase, "1000 points of
light." What a clear way to illustrate the power of individuals to impact
their communities. There are many thousands of local churches across our
country. Many are already in the business of providing programs and support to
individuals with disabilities. Many more would be involved if confronted with
the good they could do, and given the expertise to proceed. People with
disabilities stand to benefit significantly if we provide them with
opportunities to become involved with local churches. The churches will also
benefit.
References
Dickens, Charles (1967). A Christmas Carol. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co.
Hazasi, S., Gordon, L. & Roe, C. (1985). Factors associated with the
employment status of handicapped youth exiting high school from 1979-1983.
Exceptional Children, 51(6), 455-469.
McNair, J. (1991). Workplace Support. In J. McNair & N. Kronick (Eds.),
Issues in Transition (pp. 5-10). San Bernardino: The Transition Specialist
Program at California State University.
Nisbet, J. (Ed.). (1992). Natural supports in school, at work, and in the
community for people with severe disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
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