Riley Child Development Center's (IN LEND) Family Trainees Recognized for Extraordinary Work with and for Families Raising Children With Disabilities

November 23, 2010

Beth Dehoff received the 2010 Community Living Award from the Arc of Indiana on Tuesday, November 9th. Beth DeHoff established the Westside Special Needs Network and special needs ministry of Speedway United Methodist Church in 2005 to develop policies and programs regarding people with special needs. Her emphasis has always been on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the church, whether as members or participants in activities. The church hosts a bi-monthly parent support group and youth group for teens with disabilities and peer friends.

Programs Beth has been involved with are truly too numerous to list, but include annual special needs family information and resource fairs; the Westside Special Needs Parent Network; a partnership with Sycamore Services - a local chapter of The Arc - to provide social activities for adults with disabilities; and partnering with Noble of Indiana to provide summer day camps to children with and without disabilities at Speedway United Methodist Church.

In 2007 Beth partnered with Down Syndrome Indiana and VSA to host a panel discussion and performance night on the Generosity of People with Disabilities as part of the Indianapolis Spirit and Place Festival.

In addition to her very busy work and advocacy, Beth writes an on-line column on examiner.com about events and issues that affect children with special needs and their families.

Beth Schweigle received the 2010 Early Intervention Award from the Autism Society of Indiana on Saturday, November 20th.

"The reason for the nomination is obvious, looking at all Beth does! She is the Hamilton county Autism support Group Secretary, serves as the Indy Area Autism Aspergers Meeting Group Organizer, and is an ITA Special Needs Taekwondo Instructor. Beth displays excellence in enhancing and advocating for the awareness of autism and spectrum disorders. She is highly involved in educating the public about how to interact with people on the spectrum. Specifically as the Secretary of HCASG, her work is never done-she spends hours keeping everyone informed. Beth found information for me and went out of her way to make sure that I had what I needed."