Special Needs Steering Committee
Mission:
The Mission of the Aurora Deanery Center Special Needs Steering committee is to provide assistance to Catholic Parishes within the Aurora
Deanery by providing resources and training for catechists and families of persons with special needs. We are also available to assist the
Priests, Religious and all Parish Ministers in efforts to include all people in the activities of the Church as much as possible.
Purpose:
§ to identify, recommend and adapt materials and resources that can be used in Religious Education process according to the needs of the
children and adults.
§ To assist parishes in welcoming and including all children and adults into the Religious Education programs
§ To assist parishes or the deanery with alternative programs when needed.
§ Provide opportunities for catechists and family members to learn different methods of sharing their faith.
§ To identify persons in the parish with special training in working with children and adults with special needs and invite them to share their
expertise with the catechists and families.
Principles:
§ Catechists are willing to respond to the needs of all the students if they have the materials, training and support that is needed.
§ An aide in each classroom will be an asset to all catechists.
§ One-on-one sessions or breakouts from the classroom can usually be accommodated for special circumstances.
§ DREs and catechists need support from persons with training and experience with persons with special needs in order to develop
programs and opportunities for these learners.
§ A list of persons from a school or parish who can help in these efforts would be an asset to all.