Gateway Coalition of Service Providers

06/17/2026

In light of the approaching storms, tonight's People First meeting has been canceled as a precautionary measure to ensure everyone's safety. The next meeting will convene on July 15, 2026, at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, 1025 Country Club Plaza, Saint Charles, Missouri 63303. All activities planned for tonight will take place at the July meeting, including voting for officers. We apologize for any inconvenience.

05/13/2026

04/29/2026

The 2026 Direct Support Provider (DSP) Conference, hosted by the Gateway Coalition of Service Providers, was a huge success! Over 200 attendees learned and were inspired by the speakers and awards ceremony. 💪 We are grateful to The Productive Living Board, St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources, Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, and Developmental Disability Advocates for making the conference possible and to our Conference Planning Committee, sponsors and volunteers! DSPs are critical to the lives of individuals with IDD and it was the Coalition’s honor to host this conference to provide professional development and celebrate them. 🎉

03/25/2026

Up, Up and Away! Join us for the 2026 Gateway Coalition DSP Conference at the Ameristar Casino Conference Center on April 9, 2026. For $100 per person, enjoy breakfast, lunch, breakout sessions, and door prizes. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate the amazing work of Direct Support Professionals.

03/25/2026

Meet Ryan! ❤️🚗

At 14 years old, Ryan is gaining more independence and confidence in his daily routine. Living with Spina Bifida – Myelomeningocele, something as simple as getting in and out of the car used to be a challenge, but thanks to the right support, that’s changing.

Ryan’s family shared,
"The Turny Evo seat for our vehicle has helped so much. We couldn’t afford a brand new accessible van so this was our next best option. We had it installed into our car and Variety helped with a very large portion of the cost. Ryan is 14 and hard for us to lift now, but this seat allows him to transfer himself over into his chair without us lifting him. It was really hard when we would pull up to school and have to lift him into his chair, it was embarrassing for him and really hard for us. This would make him not want to go as many places. This seat has really made a big impact in our life!"

At Variety, we believe access to the right equipment can transform everyday moments into opportunities for independence and dignity. For Ryan, this adaptive seat means easier transitions, greater confidence, and the freedom to go more places without hesitation. ❤️🎩

Learn more about our equipment program and help create more opportunities for independence by visiting our website at: varietystl.org/equipment

03/17/2026

Save the date! Our FREE Accessibility Summit is taking place on April 29th from 12:00 to 4:30 pm. If you create digital content (or have an interest in creating digital content), this event is for you! Participants will learn about digital accessibility and attend a computer lab. The event will be located at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.

Stay tuned for registration information. You can also join our mailing list to learn more about the event. Contact [email protected] to get started.

02/17/2026

The Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) has announced a public comment period regarding proposed rule changes for self-directed services (SDS). These proposed changes include updated regulations on who is prohibited from employment, specifically individuals with legal responsibilities, such as a Power of Attorney or a payee.

Public comments can be submitted until February 25.

Comments may be sent by email to [email protected] or by attending one of three webinars. Registration for the webinars is available on the DMH website.

It is important to note that this public comment period does not pertain to the Governor's proposed budget for SDS. Concerned individuals must contact their state representatives to share feedback about funding.

02/14/2026

What is Curbside Voting? Voters with limited mobility can vote from their vehicle both before and on Election Day. A bipartisan team of election staff will bring a ballot to your car and assist you with the process while protecting your privacy.

02/07/2026

11/06/2025

Our Poinsettia Fundraiser is back! ✨❤️

https://www.communitylivingmo.org/poinsettias/

Community Living, Inc. is selling poinsettias to raise funds to support people with disabilities so they can live their best lives! Poinsettias are $13 each.

Participants in our Support Services for Adults program look forward to placing gift tags and delivering the plants each year. Delivery and pick-up dates are scheduled for the first week of December. Visit our website for more details and order today 🥰 Thank you!