Our Community Grows When We Include Everyone

First Steps provides early intervention for families with children from birth to age three with developmental disabilities and delays.

The Next Step provides targeted case management for people with developmental disabilities age three and over.

Art Inspired Academy provides an inclusive experience for individuals to participate in the creative arts, including theatre, music, movement, and art.

Abilities First Employment Services is designed to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities who want to work and the needs of local employers to have a reliable workforce.

Community Education works with schools, businesses, and community groups to promote inclusion, provides tools and education for individuals and family members to become effective advocates, and focuses on preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with developmental disabilities.

Inspired Boutique is an upscale resale shop featuring name-brand women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories.

Artisan Elements creates and sells innovative hand-cast custom wall tiles, table tops, commercial and residential outdoor benches and larger planters/fire pits from recycled paper or glass, concrete, and commercial additives.

Grant funding is provided to local non-profit agencies and direct support services for vocational services, early intervention, residential services, independent living assistance, employment, and transportation. These funds are provided by the citizens of Greene County through a property tax levy to support people with developmental disabilities. The Abilities First Board of Directors is responsible for administering these funds.

Abilities First works closely with other community agencies by providing funding and additional resources.
Our partner agencies include:

A Sporting Chance

Champion Athletes of the Ozarks

Developmental Center of the Ozarks

The Arc of the Ozarks

Bear Power

Dynamic Strides of the Ozarks

empower: Abilities (formerly SCIL

EnCompass Academy

MSU Foundation

Nova Center of the Ozarks

Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation

SWI Industrial Solutions

SWI Transit Company

The Arc of the Ozarks

Council of Churches of the Ozarks

Nova Center of the Ozarks

Ozarks Area Community Action Corp

DMH Partnership for Hope

empower : abilities

Springfield Workshop Transit Company

Vision Rehabilitation Center of the Ozarks

Dedicated to Inclusion

“Fantastic organization!”

“My son is like a totally different child, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of these amazing early intervention services.”

“First Steps will forever be a part of our hearts and our family!”

“I am so happy that my son has a chance to do something like this. He has wanted to participate in school music and theatre, but was either told he was too disruptive or that he couldn’t keep up. It is a gift for him to be able to show the world what he can do.

“I don’t know what we would do without Abilities First. They have really helped our son and family a lot over the last few years.”