• Why Disability Ministry?

    PERPECTIVES ON DISABILITY MINISTRY

     This 2-minute video from Joni & Friends highlights the high-level purpose and importance of Disability Ministries in our churches and broader communities.

    It serves as a great refresher for church leaders, special needs ministry leaders and their volunteers.

    Since 1979, Joni &Friends has been advancing disability ministry and changing the church and communities around the world. 

    Read more

  • Ways to Engage

     

    Impact a Life!

     

     SPECIAL LIFE®   

    Community Service & Awareness Initiatives 

     

     At Special Life Network

    Every Life is Special!®

    sln heart stamp

     

    Read more

  • How do I...?

    Research & Learn!

     

    SPECIAL LIFE®

    Training & Education Library

     

    At SPECIAL LIFE NETWORK 

    Every Life is Special!®

    sln heart stamp

     

    Read more

  • Want to Make a Difference?

     

    Make a Donation....Change a Life!

     

    SPECIAL LIFE®

    Charitable Fundraising & Giving Programs

     

    At SPECIAL LIFE NETWORK 

    Every Life is Special!®

    sln heart stamp

     

    Read more

SPECIAL LIFE® Training

What are some of the challenges you have faced with behaviors in your Churches special needs program or broader children's program? 

How do problem behaviors affect our program and teaching effectiveness? 

What is behavior, and what are the most common misunderstands?



SLN Training FBC med

This SPECIAL LIFE® Training event focused on 10 proven tips to help Sunday school teachers and their volunteers better plan and manage problem behaviors in the classroom so all God's children can be included.

At Special Life Network, Every Life is Special®

sln heart stamp

If you are a church interested in receiving similar training for your children's ministy leaders, please send an email to Tammy Sikora at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1. Compliment behaviors you like

2. Avoid the word "No"

3. Communicate the schedule and plan

4. Give clear expectations

5. Give assistance and encouragement

6. Redirect / Distract

7. Pick your battes

8. Give Choices

9. Engage - Use multiple senses

10. Smile - Communicate acceptance.

About Special Life

  • 12 Years Impacting Lives

     How are the mission and goals of Special Life Network implemented?

    Special Life Network is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) public charity founded and established in The Woodlands. We are governed by a board of directors that have other professional jobs, but are actively involved in the organization, heading up various leadership teams and projects. At Special Life Network, we believe “Every Life is Special®.” This is a message for the heart. To accomplish our purpose of facilitating integration opportunities for individuals with special needs, we incorporate three core strategies;  increasing awareness, providing education and training, and networking resources. In this way, we support needed changes and adaptions, so all can be included and supporting that Every Life is Special!

    Through SPECIAL LIFE® Fun Family Events and Activities, we directly serve special needs individuals and their families and help connect families with each other and with adaptive programs in churches and the broader community. (Examples of these include our SPECIAL LIFE® Fun Family Bowling, Family Skate Nights - wheelchairs included, and Holiday Craft Making, organized groups to attend area events, and we have partnered with area churches and organizations to do combined events such as the teen and adult program, “VBS for VIP’s.”)

     

    Read more

  • Fast Facts

    SPECIAL LIFE® Fast Facts

    12 Years Celebrating Every Life is Special!®

      1. What is SPECIAL LIFE NETWORK?
    • A Christian-led 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity organization.
    • Incorporated in April 2005. Founded and headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
    • A 100% volunteer organization led by parents, professionals, volunteers and church leaders.
    • As a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, we serve the "entire community" with no exclusions.

    For the FULL ARTICLE, click the red READ MORE icon on the right side of this page...

    Read more

  • Vision and Mission

    sln heart stamp  SPECIAL LIFE® Vision and Mission

    At SPECIAL LIFE NETWORK, we seek to enrich the life of individuals with disabilities and the families that support them by improving the integration with their local church and broader community. 

    Vision

    • Create a global network of SPECIAL LIFE® communities that are rich in awareness, integration and spiritual growth for children, teens and adults with special needs, and for the families that support them ... Special Needs Families

    Mission

    • Create, within local communities, a resource network of churches, businesses and other community organizations that provide support, encouragement, education, spiritual growth and meaningful integration opportunities for children and adults with special needs and their families.

    Read more

  • Goals & Purpose

    sln heart stamp  10 Years Celebrating Every Life is Special!®

    What is the purpose of Special Life Network?

    The purpose of Special Life Network is to facilitate the integration of children, teens and adults with disabilities into the broader community. We do this by implementing a simple 4 point strategy.

    •1.    Increase Awareness

    •2.    Network Community Knowledge, People and Resources

    •3.    Provide Education and Training

    •4.    Transform Lives


    For the FULL ARTICLE, click the red READ MORE icon on the right side of this page...

    Read more

  • Why We Care

     

    sln heart stamp SPECIAL LIFE® Awareness

    Disabilities reach far beyond the physical realm of an individual and have emotional, financial, social, and spiritual impact on families, caregivers, communities, and society as a whole. 

    Impact on Families

    • 90% of families that care for a family member with a disability of any age find it difficult to integrate into church and/or community events on a regular basis.
    • Divorce rates are typically higher for families that care for children or adults with disabilities due to the added demands on the family.
    • In many situations the demands on the family are such that siblings must participate with their parents in daily care.
    • Without intervention, these families risk physical and spiritual isolation, living their lives disconnected from their local church, community, and God.

    IMG 5911crcoverwbs edited2

                                           At SPECIAL LIFE NETWORK Every Life is Special!®

    Read more

  • Core Values

    SPECIAL LIFE® Core Value Statement

    Core values create a culture which drives an organization's behavior. The core values of the SPECIAL LIFE NETWORK are:

    • Respect
    • Compassioin
    • Integration
    • Spiritual Growth

    Our SPECIAL LIFE® Core Value Statement:

    To put Christian principles into action by embracing Special Needs families with respect, compassion, and spiritual growth through the love of Christ, and to help better integrate these families into the church and/or broader community.

    Read more