Mennonites developed the "Supportive Care Model" in the 1980's as a congregationally based care plan for persons who are disabled or dependent.  The resulting booklet, Supportive Care in the Congregation by Dean A. Preheim-Bartel and Aldred H. Neufeldt is well known and appreciated in religious disabilities advocacy circles across North America. 

Published originally by Mennonite Central Committee's Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services in 1986 as an outgrowth of a special "Guardianship Consultation" in October 1984 and re-published by MMA (Mennonite Mutual Aid) in 1995, the booklet remains one of ADNet's most sought-after resources, with many orders coming via the Internet.

In recent years, people are rediscovering the Supportive Care Model.  One story is highlighted in the September 2008 edition of Connections, ADNet's quarterly newsletter. 

ADNet is interested in finding out who else has used the model.  We are interested in hearing from both Mennonites and any other folks who have picked up on the model.  We are working to collect additional stories of any type of congregationally based supportive care networks formed around dependent adults with disabilities or mental illness. What has worked and what hasn't? What are the model's limitations? What experiences could encourage others?

As we gather stories, we will be asking: Has the church and surrounding society changed so much in a generation that the model needs updating? Have secular movements like person-centered planning made congregationally-based solutions unnecessary? How can a church cooperate with local disabilities services providers, either Christian or secular, to provide for the whole person in his or her community? What changes or supplements to the current booklet would encourage more churches to initiate supportive care networks?

There are a number of ways you can share your story.  If you already have a story written up, you can send it in the mail or attach a file to an email message.  You can also arrange for one of our staff to informally interview you either in person or over the phone.  Please fill out a short form on the Send Stories page and we will contact you.