Running head: AGENCY REPORT 1

Agency Report

Ariel Vallecillo

Wilmington University
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History

Mosaic A Life for Possibilities for People with Intellectual Disabilities was crated on

July 1st, 2003, by the consolidation of two Nebraska-born Lutheran ministries dedicated to

serving the challenging needs of individuals with disabilities. Bethphage was founded in 1913 in

Axtell, Nebraska and Martin Luther Homes was founded in 1925 in Sterling, Nebraska.

Eventually these two ministries merged to form what we presently know as Mosaic.

At Bethphage Heritage, The Rev. K.G. William Dahl witnessed the neglect that children

and adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities received in large institutions.

He believed in a better way and convinced 54 people to give $1.00 each to establish Behphage

Inner Mission Association in 1913 (Mosaic, 2017). With that startup money Pastor Dahl rented

and renovated four homes in Axtell, Nebraska. On June 29, 1914, the first four guests arrived.

Within a year, the ministry had grown to include 40 guests and 20 workers, and a new setting on

land north of Axtell. The hill as the Bethphage Mission came to be known by locals, reflected

an exceptional architectural structure style rooted in the Swedish heritage of Pastor Dahl. In

addition, at Bethphage is Zion Chapel, a prominent building dedicated on October 20, 1925 as a

gift from the Womens Missionary Society of the Augustana Synod. Pastor Dahl who died in

1917, is buried in the Bethphage Cemetery (Mosaic, 2017).

At Martin Luther Homes Heritage, three pastors and two laymen saw the need for a

school for teachable mentally retarded children. According to this information, they met in

Sterling at the former Martin Luther Academy, a school that had been closed for several years.

The founders included the Revs. Julius Moehl, August Hoeger, and William Fruehling, and

layman John Aden and William Ehmen. The Martin Luther Home Society was organized on

October 20, 1925 (Mosaic, 2017). As the word spread that a home for children and adults with
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disabilities was opening in Sterling, families began to bring their children for placement, even

though the home was not ready. As the building aged and the student population grew, extensive

renovation was needed, or the Home would face the possibility of state closure. The decision was

made to build a new facility. Therefore, on June 1, 1956, a new Martin Luther Home opened in

Beatrice, Nebraska (Mosaic, 2017).

During the 1970s and 1980s both organizations became national ministries. With the

advent of community-based programs for people with developmental disabilities in the 1970s

and 1980s both Behphage and Martin Luther Homes grew into national ministries. The

organizations were invited to begin services in locations across the United States by families and

officials who knew the quality of care provided by the organizations. With their national growth,

both organizations felt the need for administrative offices in more easily accessible locations for

national travelers. In 1986 Bethphage moved its headquarters to Omaha, Nebraska and in 1993

Martin Luther Homes moved its headquarters to Lincoln, Nebraska (Mosaic, 2017).

Therefore, the dreams, interests, and needs of the people Mosaic serves are important to

Mosaic. They will help identify the best services to reach those dreams, satisfy those interests,

and meet the challenges and needs of their clients.

Mission

The mission statement of Mosaic is Embracing Gods call to serve in the world, Mosaic

advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy

full life. Mosaic is a Faith-based, nonprofit (501 c3) organization serving people with

intellectual disabilities. We believe that every individual is a person of worth. Together Mosaic

staff members, volunteers, and the people they serve work as partners.
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Demographic Information

Mosaic currently has 36 agencies in 10 states, Delaware is one of the 10 states that

provide services to more than 3,900 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Making it one of the

largest faith-based organizations in the nation. However, the types of services provided

throughout Mosaics 36 agencies vary, but, their mission statement remains the same. Their

services include:

Residential Services

Drop-in Support

Day Support Services

Spiritual Services

Case Management

Support Coordination

Employment Services

International Outreach

Affordable and accessible housing for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Structure and Governance

At Mosaic the organizational structure of the agency is governed by a board of directors

which includes a President/CEO, Vice President, Treasurer, Financial Administrator, Executive

Director, Program Directors, and Direct Supporting Staff.

Funding

Mosaic in Delaware is licensed by and funded through the Delaware Health and Social

Services. In addition, Mosaic is funding comes from Federal Grants, donations, endowments,

gifts, and fundraising activities, such as, galas, and other community events and activities.
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Policies and Procedures

The policies and procedures at Mosaic consist of excellent core values. Therefore,

Mosaic commits to the following values:

Safety

Privacy

Respect

Privacy as Law

Connection

Integrity and Ethics

Use of Universal Precautions.

Follow procedures for fire safety.

Follow procedures to protect your back.

Zero tolerance for fire arms, drugs and alcohol, knives and other weapons.

Non-Discrimination based on race, creed, age, color, sex, religion, national origin,

ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, or veteran status.

Relationships/Partnerships

Mosaic in Delaware partners with people with intellectual disabilities to provide a

meaningful life in a caring community, giving a voice to their needs. Internationally, Mosaic has

partner programs in several foreign countries including, Romania and Tanzania, including their

international alliance called IMPACT. Additional relationships in the United States include:

Local Community Agencies and Churches

School Districts and Campuses.

Federal, State, and Local Governments.

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Donors

Volunteers

Advocates

Ambassadors

Internships

Strengths

Some of the Strengths I have noticed at Mosaic is their ability to continue serving

individual with intellectual disabilities in a protective way. They protect the privacy and civil

rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Another strength factor is that they are one of

the largest faith-based organizations in the nation. Making it a legacy organization changing as

needed to carry out the vision of their original founders. In addition, Mosaic is a leading provider

chosen by over 3,900 people. Due to the population of individuals with intellectual and

developmental disabilities the organization keeps on expanding creating new sources of

employment and services for local individuals in the communities it serves. As a strong faith-

based organization Mosaic has stood the test of time. From its inception to present times this

organization has been able to withstand many challenging situations.

Challenges

Some of the challenges this organization has overcome is the constant changes in

political agendas leading to changes in government procedures and funding policies. Other

challenges include funding cuts and poor employee salaries. For example, according to a market

study conducted in the State of Delaware in 2013. Determined that Direct Support Professionals

(DSPs) were not being paid fair adequate livable wages. Therefore, the results published in 2014

included a recommendation by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services to

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increase the wages of DSPs by about 15 percent over the current level. Another challenging

factor is the capacity of its staff to endure the rigorous demands of their job duties. Individuals

may start their careers at Mosaic with the good intention to help and serve individuals with

intellectual disabilities. But the reality may be different once they start working with the clients.

It takes lots of patience and dedication to work with this population. Making it harder for some

individuals to comprehend the challenging needs and responsibility that they have on their hands

at work.

Interns Role

My role as an intern is to design, schedule and teach a workshop on agreed topic to

people in service as per strategic planning goals. For example, 1. Create an art therapy program

plan and curriculum. 2. Serve as job coach to individuals receiving the services. 3. Develop an

individual plan for cultural specific activities.

As an intern I can create and adapt my own art therapy curriculum and workshop. I have

been able to do research on the activities I am going to be utilizing during my workshops. The

purpose of these activities is to help the participants express their emotions through the creative

process of art making. The process will result in the transformation and enhancement of

participants overall well-being and cognitive awareness.

In my role as a job coach I can explore creative ways to improve individuals success in

their work place. By mentoring them in a one on one basis through professional goals to ensure

career success. The process includes helping them learn proper phone etiquette, follow proper

office dress codes, and teach individuals how to conduct themselves properly in an office and

work environment.
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For my cultural specific activity plan, I will design a curriculum that includes cultural

specific activities that will consist of strengthening cultural values and preserving heritage and

cultural history. Building social character and sense of place will help individuals feel included.

By engaging the participants in a cultural specific activity planning, can lead to the process of

assessing the persons current and future needs.

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References

Mosaic: A life of Possibilities for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Retrieved from: https://www.mosaicinfo.org/location/mosaic-delaware