Our Special Needs Ministry offers:

• One-on-One Aides
Aides are available to support and assist your child each week. Our volunteer aides undergo a background check and receive individualized training and support from our Special Needs Coordinator.

Aides are available on Sunday mornings for kids in preschool–5th grade. NOTE: We may expand this ministry to include students in grades 6–12. For more information, contact the Special Needs Coordinator.

Current programs include: preschool, Real Kids Connect, and Real Kids FX (see descriptions below).

Join Our Team—Attend an Informational Meeting
We're looking for people who would like to join our Special Needs Ministry team and minister God's love to our special children. To find out more, come to a brief informational meeting on Sunday, November 4, at either 10:05 a.m. or 12:15 p.m. in room 287. Questions? Contact Erica Streifel at 507.993.3458.

How to sign up for an aide:
Fill out a Special Needs Ministry Child Information form. The form is available on the Info Wall or click here to download a copy. Return the completed form to the Registration Center or the church office attention Kids' Ministries. You will be contacted within two weeks. If necessary, you're welcome to attend any of the preschool or Kids' Ministries groups with your child until an aide has been assigned to him or her.

• Individual Guidance
We offer personal direction and counsel for including your child in Cedar Valley's Ministries. Whether or not your child needs an aide, we'd like to partner with you to best meet your family's specific needs. We aim to be flexible and open to creative solutions.

Our Special Needs Ministry offers assistance in the following Sunday kids' programming:

• Preschool
3–5 year olds
9:00 & 11:00 a.m. (During Adult Services)
10:05–10:50 a.m. (During Adult Groups)
Rooms 291–299
Preschoolers enjoy learning the Bible lesson through a large group time that features fun sketches and a time of age-appropriate worship and singing. Afterward, the preschoolers head to smaller classes for hands-on activities that reinforce the Bible lesson using every learning style.

• Real Kids Connect
K–5th Grade
9:00 & 11:00 a.m. (During Adult Services)
Check-in: Kids' Auditorium
Pick-up: Rooms 261–275
During the adult services, while you get a chance to relax, decompress, and hear God's great plans for you, your kids get a chance to do the same thing. In a cool, safe, age-appropriate environment, they're having a blast, being creative, interacting, and learning about God's love.

• Real Kids FX
K–5th Grade
10:05–10:50 a.m. (During Adult Groups)
Check-in and pick-up: Kids' Auditorium
Real Kids FX takes funny sketches and worship and combines them with a short, creative message for the purpose of partnering with you, the parent. It's a service designed for families—like a family movie. Everyone will get something out of it. Imagine the possibilities when you worship and laugh with your children while gaining the knowledge you need to continue the discussion at home.

Parents are strongly encourage to attend Real Kids FX with their child, but it is not required as some parents may attend a Sunday Group or serve in other areas of the church.

Special Needs Ministry's Mission
• To open doors for those with special needs and their families to
     → come to Jesus
     → grow in their relationship with Jesus
     → serve with their unique God-given gifts as integral parts of the body of Christ

• To form relationships with families based on the truth that God purposes disabilities in His creation for His glory and for our good.

• To declare that life with a disability and with Jesus is infinitely better than a "perfect" body without Him because "this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17

Meet the Staff

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 507.993.3548 Volunteer Special Needs Coordinator	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Ministry Coordinator