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 1997, the booklet remains one of ADNet's most sought-after resources, with many orders coming via the Internet. 

See the Supportive Care Essentials page for an overview of the booklet and model.

As the latest printed edition of the booklet (available on the right) is being depleted, ADNet is engaged in a study of the relevance of the Supportive Care model for the 21st century church.  A workshop, originally presented on March 21, 2009 at Mennonite Health Assembly is available for presentation in other settings.

Resources developed for that workshop are available on this site.

• Essential ingredients in the Supportive Care model
• Anabaptist Theology and Supportive Care
• Comparison of Supportive Care with other models and movements in both the religious and secular community. Additional resources.
• Stories of Supportive Care. 
• More information about our Supportive Care Revisited project including ways you can help.