NCPD Affiliate Connect - February

Wed, 02/15/2023 - 2:00pm EST to 3:00pm

Join our February meeting!

We meet with NCPD Affiliates on the third Wednesday of the month to address various disability-related needs of dioceses. Noelle Collis-DeVito, Campus Minister, University of Dayton and Kelsey Bell from the NCPD Chair of the Council on Intelectual and Developmental Disabilities, will present on:

Making Vacation Bible School Accessible for All

During the summer months, many parishes host Vacation Bible School as a fun and interactive way for children to experience their faith. VBS usually consists of a variety of interactive activities, music, prayer, crafts, games and community building that bring faith to life.Since VBS engages students in multi-sensory learning, it really lends itself to the possibility of providing opportunities for children with disabilities to meaningfully participate with some minor adaptations. Join us to discuss some practical ways to make VBS more accessible to every child!

Diocesan Directors will receive an email on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, with a link to register.

Noelle Collis Devito

Noelle Collis-DeVito

Campus Minister, University of Dayton

Member of the Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CIDD)

Noelle and her family reside in Centerville, OH where she works in Campus Ministry for the University of Dayton. She previously served as the Associate Director for the Office for Persons with Disabilities of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati where she worked to create a culture of inclusion and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities and their families In her time working for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Noelle spearheaded the development of the new Office for Persons with Disabilities, worked to institute Sensory-Friendly Liturgies as a regular part of parish life, and collaborated with parishes and other Archdiocesan Offices to establish a sense of belonging for all. Noelle is currently pursuing her Master's in Pastoral Ministry from the University of Dayton with a Certificate in Disability and Ministry. She has also received catechetical certification in Special Needs Ministry through the VLCFF Program.

KELSEY REA

Kelsey Bell

Chair

Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CIDD)

Kelsey has served as the Coordinator of the Office for People with Disabilities for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon since the fall of 2016. She strives to help parishes become places of belonging where all can actively participate. Kelsey holds a BA in Social Work and Spanish and a MA in Pastoral Ministry, both from the University of Portland. One of the biggest influences in Kelsey’s life is her younger sister Gina, who has Down syndrome. Kelsey and her husband have a one-year old son.