January 2, 2020
LBSA Nominates Two Staff For National Award
LBSA Nominates Two Staff For National Award Laura Baker Services Association (LBSA) would like to congratulate two of our outstanding direct support staff, Molly Halls (Community Services) and Michelle Anderson (Oak Street Services). They have been nominated by LBSA for the Direct Support Professional of the Year Award, given annually… Read More
October 30, 2019
Tornadoes and Whirlwinds
Tornadoes and Whirlwinds While LBSA was largely spared in the tornadic assault on Rice County on September 20 (We lost a few trees, and had no significant property damage.), it seems that the whirlwind from the storm remains. Or maybe it’s been here for some time. I’m not talking about… Read More
September 26, 2019
Laura Baker Services Association Receives Grant to Help Supplement Government Aid
Laura Baker Services Association (LBSA) has received a $50,000 grant for general operating expenses related to providing housing and support services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The grant was awarded by the Otto Bremer Trust, a nonprofit organization that invests in people, places and opportunities in the… Read More
August 1, 2019
Let’s Stand Together
Let's Stand Together My pastor called me recently to provide support after the sudden loss of a long-time staff member. After we hung up, I paused to reflect on my mechanical responses. I was numb. And I realized that two years of unrelenting loss and challenges will do that to… Read More
August 1, 2019
A Toast to Healthy Eating
Salmon with Avocado & Tomato. Diced Chicken with Penne & Vegetables. Arugula & Kale Salad. No. These aren’t menu listings from a trendy health food restaurant. These are a few items from the new meal plan at Laura Baker Services Association (LBSA). In the summer of 2017 LBSA assembled a… Read More
May 30, 2019
Performance Dedicated to the Clients and Caregivers at Laura Baker Services
The song “What I Might Be” was written by Paul Krause for the Laura Baker Services Association choir in 2010 around the time of our capital campaign. Recently the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northfield Choir and some of the children joined together to sing this song which was video recorded… Read More
May 3, 2019
Let’s Talk About the Value of Long-Term Care
Let's Talk About the Value of Long-Term Care Did you see the recent Facebook post from the guy who has decided that he’s not going into a nursing home, he’s going to live at Holiday Inns in the twilight of his years? He’s done the math and determined that he can… Read More
February 1, 2019
Heroes
Heroes Who are your heroes? How do you decide who gets on the list? Defining my heroes was not something I thought much about. Then someone asked me who my heroes are. My first instinct was to consider celebrities – they must be a celebrity for a reason,… Read More
January 1, 2019
The “Art” of Community Building
The "Art" of Community Building Laura Baker believed that an important part of her students’ wellbeing was community acceptance. Acceptance comes with education and familiarity. At a time when many individuals with developmental disabilities were separated from society in large institutions, Laura Baker’s vision was revolutionary. In the early days,… Read More
October 4, 2018
Election Season is Here
The crisp autumn air can only mean one thing – election season is upon us. With election season come many opportunities to speak with both current and potential lawmakers about the issues that deeply affect those with special needs, as well as those who work with people with special needs. Read More