MERGE

10/17/2026

💧 **It's not always about the last drop!**

Sometimes what looks like a BIG reaction to something small is actually the result of everything that's been building throughout the day.

Sensory overload. Anxiety. Fatigue. Demands. Feeling disconnected.

And then one more request causes the cup to overflow.

When we encounter behaviors that challenge us, it's important to look beyond what happened in that moment and consider what might have led up to it.

💡 **Be a learner, not a judger.**

Understanding what's filling someone's cup can help us respond with greater empathy, flexibility, and support.

10/16/2026

🤣🤣🤣

We're making nature as accessible as Notre Dame Football's endzone! Go BYU Football! Look for the Extreme Motus gang mugging for the College GameDay cameras on Saturday.

10/16/2026

🎙️ A little highlight from the very first episode of **The Inclusion Exchange** with Anna McKeown!

So excited to keep these conversations going!

🎙️ **NEXT UP — Thursday, October 22 at 1 PM ET!**

I'll be joined by Trisha Breitlow, Executive Director of M-NASR, to talk about **The Evolving World of Therapeutic Recreation**.

Hope you'll tune in! 📺✨

Catch us LIVE on the DPRS Media Network, select Thursdays at 1 PM ET!**

The Daily Parks & Rec Show

10/15/2026

Kids notice differences. They’re curious. And they’re going to ask questions. 💬💙

Those moments give adults an opportunity to help children understand disability and inclusion in a way that is positive, respectful, and natural.

We don’t need to shush the question, change the subject, or have the “perfect” answer. Instead, we can acknowledge what a child noticed, offer simple and accurate information, and help them see the person first—not just the difference.
Small conversations like these can help children become more comfortable with disability, more confident connecting with others, and more likely to help create spaces where everyone belongs. 🌟🤝

Save and share this resource with families, educators, recreation professionals, coaches, and anyone else helping kids learn about inclusion.

10/13/2026

🌟 TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY 🌟

We love hearing what resonates with participants after a MERGE training—and this feedback from Bambi McDougald of the City of Orlando, following our session at NRPA Conference 2026, made our day!

One of the biggest messages we hope people take away from our work is that advancing disability inclusion doesn’t always require a bigger budget. Sometimes it starts with fresh ideas, practical strategies, and a shift in how we think about inclusion. 💡♿️

Thank you, Bambi, for your incredibly kind words and for being part of the conversation at NRPA! 💙

10/13/2026

💙💛 October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Awareness is important—but let’s keep moving beyond awareness.
👉 We need UNDERSTANDING.
👉 We need INCLUSION.
👉 We need BELONGING.

People with Down syndrome are learning, working, building relationships, contributing, creating, leading, and participating in communities every day.
And just like everyone else, each person has their own strengths, interests, talents, personality, goals, and support needs.

So this month, let’s learn. Let’s challenge assumptions. And most importantly, let’s continue creating communities where people with Down syndrome aren’t simply welcomed through the door—they are expected, valued, connected, and given meaningful opportunities to contribute.

Because awareness may start the conversation.
Belonging is where we want to go. 💙💛

10/12/2026

🚫 What if the behavior that gets a child removed from a program is actually the behavior telling us they need more support?

Too often, behaviors that challenge us lead to consequences, exclusion—or even suspension.

But behavior is communication.

Our newest MERGE On-Demand Learning experience, No More Suspensions: A New Lens on Behaviors That Challenge Us, helps recreation, camp, afterschool, and youth-serving professionals look beyond the behavior and ask a different question:
What is this behavior telling us—and what can we do differently?

This practical training gives staff strategies they can use right away to:
✨ Recognize what may be underneath a behavior
✨ Identify triggers and early signs of overwhelm
✨ Respond proactively instead of reactively
✨ Use positive language, visual supports, and other practical tools
✨ Partner more effectively with families
✨ Keep more young people participating, connected, and included

It’s on-demand, practical, and designed for the realities of the programs we work in every day.

Because sometimes the shift from “This isn’t working” to “What support might help?” can change everything.

📣 Start learning today. bit.ly/MERGEbehaviors

10/12/2026

🎥 MERGE Minute: Aid and Fade!

Sometimes, additional support is exactly what someone needs to be successful. That might mean a 1:1 aide, extra assistance, or participation in a specialized program.

But here’s the important part: Today’s level of support doesn’t have to be tomorrow’s.

The concept of Aid and Fade is about providing support when it’s needed, building skills and confidence, and gradually stepping back as independence grows.

Whether it’s moving from a specialized swim class to an inclusive swim lesson or reducing the need for 1:1 assistance, the goal is to keep creating opportunities for greater independence, participation, and belonging.

💡 Support should be a bridge to inclusion, not a permanent destination.

10/11/2026

🎲🎉 HEADED TO NYC!🚄

MERGE is excited to be part of the of Greater New York Fall Leadership Conference on Monday, October 12!

Lisa Drennan will be leading TWO sessions focused on practical strategies for creating more inclusive YMCA communities!

🌟 MORNING SESSION
Building a Culture of Inclusion: Practical Strategies for YMCA Leaders

💡 AFTERNOON SESSION
No More Suspensions: A New Lens on Behaviors That Challenge Us

From building a culture where inclusion is everyone's responsibility to rethinking how we understand and respond to behaviors that challenge us, we're ready to share ideas that YMCA leaders can put into action!

Looking forward to connecting, learning, and LEVELING UP together! 🎲🚀

10/10/2026

A little throwback to a conversation with Melanie on A Side of Hope Podcast! 🎙️
One of the ideas we talked about still holds true:
Inclusion is a dial, not a switch.
Creating more inclusive communities doesn’t happen all at once. It’s about continuing to learn, make adjustments, challenge old ways of thinking, and keep moving that dial forward.
Thanks again to Melanie for having me and for creating space for conversations like this! 💙


Compass SLS