Special Needs Ministry

We recognize that being in a family that is living with special needs can be a very lonely place. And our Mission for the Treasured Arrows Ministry is to acknowledge that each child's capabilities are different. God has entrusted us with His children to teach them to know, love and obey Jesus to the fullest of their capabilities. It is our intent to meet your child where they are at while providing the needed appropriate accommodations in a safe and caring atmosphere.

We have a sensory room with calming music and low lighting. In this room are lots of different components to help your child when they are dysregulated and/or overstimulated in the other classrooms. We have a spectrum of accommodations available tailored to meet your child's unique sensory input needs.
From Sensory Avoidance………………to Sensory Seeking.

We have three baseline levels of needs. These can change for your child with cognitive growth, regressions, or just daily struggles. 
LEVEL #1 Your child’s disability/disorder is such that he/she is unable to benefit from participating in a traditional Sunday school classroom, he/she may spend the service time in the Sensory classroom (currently only available during the 10:00 am service.)  
LEVEL #2 Your child child is in need of a sensory break in the sensory room  for a short amount of time and may return to class after the break with in class interventions such as gum, fidget, water with straw etc.
LEVEL #3 Your child typically functions  well in their classroom but benefits with regular in class interventions.  
 
The sensory classroom will provide:

• Lessons that are taught in the traditional classroom modified accordingly to the children's needs on any given Sunday
• Each child will be given the opportunity to participate at their ability and comfort level  
• Allergen free and artificial color free sensory snacks and gum
• Sensory and special learning components including but not limited to... sensory seats, fidgets, noise canceling headphones, emotions and feelings books, along with many other sensory and special needs components used for accommodations.

The Spiritual theme of our room is The Fruit of the Spirit and is what we use a lot in our mornings together. 
The Zones of Regulation are the emotional guide we use. 

We request you fill out the Child Intake Form. We know it can be challenging to share personal information with others. It is our hope that we are providing a safe non judgment experience for you to be authentic with us and in turn we will meet you where you are and your information will be kept confidential to only those in leadership in working with your children. After you have done this, you will then meet with our special needs director at church, to set up a specific plan tailored to your child and their unique needs. 

We have a child specific daily report form that is posted here as well as available to you at the children's check in counter to let us know of any struggles your child may be experiencing on any given day coming into children ministry.It helps us to be able to anticipate and hopefully foresee things that would trigger any possible symptoms that could result in response to those.

Rachel Martin has been involved in ministry at FCC since 2000. 
She met her husband Kent at FCC back in 1999 and they were married in 2001. They were volunteer youth leaders from the beginning of 2000 to the fall of 2023. She has been part time staff in different capacities at Faith since 2009.
They have 3 homemade neurotypical children and 3 adopted neurodiverse children. 
Rachel has a degree in Early Childhood Developmental Education. 
As well as continuing education in the following…
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder,
Interoceptive Under Responsivity Disorder,
Childhood Brain Development, Selective Mutism,
FosterCare and Adoption Trauma in Children and Adolescents.
She is currently enrolled in continuing education courses for Autism Spectrum
Disorder training and Neurodiversity - Affirming. 

As a family living with special needs, it has brought to light many things.

• It has exposed weaknesses we didn't realize we had
• It has strengthened us in ways we never imagined
• God will give you the Wisdom and Discernment to know who are the safe people to allow close access to your family
• We have had to let go of what we thought our life was going to look like and embrace this new season of life God has given us 
• We have recognized that...

1) Those who do not live this unique life we do, will not fully be able to grasp why we parent the way we do
2) Others may have Goodwill intentions for us, but do not grasp the appropriate ways to connect or carry them out
When we come to terms with those, we can accept it for what it is and nothing more.

But really isn’t that what being a Christian is?
We think we know what our life should look like and we are humbly reminded that we only see the trailer but God knows the whole picture.  
We must be Faithful and Trust Him.
We recognize that as parents of children with special needs, it is a sensitive balance.
Holding onto our children with open palms, instead of tightly clenched fists...we must completely surrender them to Christ, while also advocating for them appropriately.