Pulaski County Special Services

09/17/2026

💜 Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week! 💜

This week, we celebrate the amazing Direct Support Professional's who show up every day with compassion, patience, dedication, and heart.

Thank you for the incredible work you do to support, encourage, and empower the individuals you serve. Your commitment helps promote independence, create meaningful experiences, and make a difference in countless lives.

Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are so grateful for everything you do! 💜

👏 Thank you, DSPs, for all that you do... this week and every week!

09/16/2026

Did you know you can use an ABLE account for everyday living costs?
An ABLE account is a savings account for people with disabilities. The money in this account is protected. It does not count against government benefit limits.
You can use your savings to pay for:
Rent, food, and electric bills
Bus rides, train fares, or car repairs
Doctors, medicine, and therapy visits
Laptops, wheelchairs, and communication devices
College or job training.

A STABLE account for those with an eligible disability who want to save and invest for a better life, achieve financial empowerment and prepare for a more independent future.

09/16/2026

👷‍♂️ Employment inclusion is not only about opening the door. It also means looking at what may make it harder for someone to enter, participate, communicate, and do their job effectively.

For people on the autism spectrum, some workplace barriers may come from unclear expectations, rigid communication styles, sensory environments, traditional interview formats, or limited flexibility rather than from the work itself.

👉 Supports can be simple and practical: written instructions, checklists, clear priorities, questions shared in advance, extra processing time, quieter workspaces, headphones, lighting adjustments, flexible schedules, remote work options, adjusted break times, and different ways to complete tasks.

It also means recognizing different communication styles, making expectations explicit, focusing on strengths, and creating clear ways for employees to ask for support without being seen as less capable.

📌 The question is not simply whether someone can adapt to the workplace. It is also whether the workplace can reduce unnecessary barriers and make room for different ways of working.

09/15/2026

We still have several boxes of supplies if you know of anyone in need!

09/15/2026

📢 Now Hiring: Floor Care Supervisor | St. Robert, MO
Join the Challenge Unlimited, Inc. janitorial crew at U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood!

Lead and support floor care teams by overseeing daily operations, training and coaching employees, maintaining safety and quality standards, and ensuring exceptional customer service. This role is responsible for floor maintenance activities, equipment upkeep, inventory management, and helping team members succeed while delivering high-quality cleaning services.

👉 For more info or to apply, visit: https://challengeunlimitedinc.applytojob.com/apply/g0HUcW0VHJ/Floor-Care-Supervisor

09/13/2026

If you are neurodivergent, you may feel like the world expects you to adapt without support.

Accommodations could make life manageable and allow your strengths to shine.

They are tools that allow your brain to work with you, not against you.

Small adjustments can make a huge difference in productivity, confidence, and well-being.

Neurodivergence accommodations can include:

🎈 Flexible deadlines that reduce pressure and prevent burnout
🎈 Quiet or low-stimulation spaces to improve focus and comfort
🎈 Clear written instructions to support understanding and memory
🎈 Task chunking and prioritization to make large projects manageable
🎈 Visual schedules or reminders to stay organized
🎈 Alternative communication methods that fit your style
🎈 Use of assistive technology to support reading, writing, or memory
🎈 Sensory tools or supports to prevent overwhelm
🎈 Regular check-ins or feedback to reduce uncertainty
🎈 Choice in work or learning methods to match strengths
🎈 Extended time for tests or tasks to allow accurate performance
🎈 Permission to take breaks as needed to reset and recharge
🎈 Flexible work or school hours to accommodate energy levels
🎈 Support with transitions or unexpected changes
🎈 Individualized learning or work plans tailored to your needs

Accommodations are not about lowering expectations.

They are about creating an environment where you can thrive, contribute, and bring your unique abilities to the world.

At Blue Sky Learning, our neurodiversity-affirming therapists and coaches help you:

✅ Identify the accommodations that work best for you.
✅ Advocate for support at work, school, or home.
✅ Build strategies to use accommodations effectively and confidently.

You deserve to succeed on your terms, without masking or self-sacrifice.

📩 Book a free 20-minute consultation at www.blueskylearning.ca or email [email protected]

💻 Follow for neurodiversity-affirming mental health education and support.

09/13/2026

Exactly.

Disabled people are often spoken about through stereotypes, assumptions, and deeply ingrained ableist beliefs that reduce lived experience into oversimplified and harmful narratives.

These ideas show up in healthcare, education, workplaces, media, and everyday interactions.

They influence who is believed, who is supported, and who is excluded from access and care.

This post highlights some of the most common harmful framings of disabled people, such as “only worthy if independent,” “exaggerating symptoms,” “less than human,” “a burden,” “always visible,” or “faking their pain.”

What we want to be clear about:

🎈 Disabled people are not only worthy if they are independent.
🎈 They are not exaggerating symptoms.
🎈 They are not a monolith.
🎈 They are not less than human.
🎈 They are not a drain on resources.
🎈 They are not broken or inferior to non-disabled people.
🎈 They are not something to pity.
🎈 They are not always visible.
🎈 They are not being difficult or non-compliant.
🎈 They are not a tragedy.
🎈 They are not all the same.
🎈 They are not a burden on society.
🎈 They are not faking their pain.
🎈 They are not inspirational props.

Affirming care means moving away from judgment and toward access, dignity, and individualized support.

At Blue Sky Learning, our neurodiversity and disability-affirming therapists and coaches support individuals in understanding their experiences without shame, invalidation, or pressure to prove their needs.

Book a free 20-minute consult at www.blueskylearning.ca
or email [email protected]

Follow for more neurodiversity-affirming mental health education and support.

09/09/2026

Important! Complete the annual renewal form when received so there is no delay in coverage.

ATTENTION MEDICAID PARTICIPANTS! Remember to complete your annual renewal when it’s due. There’s more than one way to complete your MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) annual renewal! Visit myDSS.mo.gov/Renew to find out how.

09/08/2026

This quote is an important reminder that inclusion is an ongoing commitment. It challenges us to think beyond invitations and consider how we can remove barriers, create opportunities, and ensure every person feels welcomed, valued, and connected.