International - Educational Exchanges

Mosaic and the Bethel Institute in Germany have been participating in an international educational exchange since 2000. The purpose of these exchanges is to share expertise on a variety of topics. Exchange participants from both organizations have the opportunity to learn from professional trainings that focus on topics such as:

  • advocacy
  • community participation/integration
  • quality enhancement
  • self-determination
  • governance
  • volunteer activities
Over the past several years, Board members, senior managers, regional vice presidents, professional staff, direct support staff, self-advocates and volunteers from both organizations have had the opportunity to be a part of this exchange. A brief history of the exchanges are shown below.

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2000 - Germany

In September 2000, the first exchange took place at Bethel, in Bielefeld, Germany. The topic of the trainings was advocacy.

The presenters on the first exchange were Diana McCalment and Linda Aaker, both former Board directors, and Rich Carman from Mosaic.
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2001 - Nebraska and Colorado

The 2001 exchange was very memorable. The seven presenters from Bethel were in Axtell, NE on September 11. 

The topics of their presentations included:
  • autism service
  • home environments
  • leisure-time activities.
After the presentations in Nebraska, the group drove to Colorado and did additional trainings for Mosaic's Colorado staff.  Bethel and Mosaic later noted that going through the terrible events of September 11th together changed the long-standing relationship of the two organizations from just an agreement to a true partnership.

Bethel presenters were Hans-Gerd Daubertshaeuser, Christoph Siedersleben, Manfred Knoop, Rositta Symalla, Konny Sommer, Reinhard Buecker and Anja Kather
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2002 - Germany

In October 2002, a group of Mosaic staff and volunteers traveled to Germany to present on a variety of topics, including:
  • history of disability services in the U.S.
  • leadership of a multi-location organization
  • policy-based governance
  • communication of mission, values and vision
  • defining quality
  • political, legal and economic impact of services
  • organizational structure
The Mosaic presenters were David Jacox, Linda Timmons, Marlin Wilkerson, Coleen Abeyta and Ann Sexton.  Also presenting were Board directors Rochelle Cummings and Chet Brodnicki.
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2003 - Texas

In October 2003, Mosaic had the pleasure of showing Texas hospitality to our friends from Bethel.  During a week-long stay, presentations were made in Seguin and Dallas.  The topics of the trainings included:
  • a history of the exchange program
  • autism and the TEACCH method
  • environmental shaping
  • personnel development
  • small group discussions
Presenters from Bethel were 'honorary Texans' Michael Seidel, Gudrun Hadamitzky, Annegret Mensen, Astrid Strickmann and Eva Gottesleben.
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2004 - Germany

In November 2003, a contingency from Mosaic visited Bethel to talk about the consolidation of Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes that formed Mosaic.  The presentations covered the topics of:
  • Mosaic services and supports
  • the creation of Mosaic
  • community-based services/supports
Mosaic presenters were Robin Gifford, Raul Saldivar, Dawn Julius and Rod Patterson.
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2005 - Illinois

In the fall of 2005, a group of presenters from Bethel experienced life in the Midwest.  The training centered around:
  • history of Bethel
  • shaping a proper environment for people with disabilities and challenging behaviors
  • epilepsy training for staff
  • autism and TEACCH
  • education, leisure time activities and sports at Bethel
Presenters from Bethel were Michael Seidel, Uwe Drosselmeier, Jens Reichel and Ingolf Jacob.

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2006 - Germany

In 2006, it was agreed that all future exchanges would include a person receiving supports and a direct support staff.  Each of the participants prepared portions of the training that included:
  • history of Mosaic
  • working with front-line staff
  • community-based services from the perspective of a self-advocate and direct support staff
  • quality of life factors
Presenters for the 2006 exchange in Germany were Vincent Pfister, self-advocate from Indiana, and Mosaic staff -- Liz Jones, Hector Perez, Molly Kennis, Tyler Sprouse and Susie O'Kane.

Read all about Vincent's experience.

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2007 - New Mexico

In 2007, Mosaic had the pleasure of introducing our friends at Bethel to the American Southwest.  In addition to the trainings, our guests had the opportunity to visit the Acoma Pueblo and meet families of children supported in the New Mexico programs.  The group visited the Santa Fe and Grants agencies. 

Topics of the trainings included:
  • partnership between Bethel and Mosaic
  • working with Mosaic through IMPACT alliance
  • educational programs
  • individualized care
  • self-advocate's perspective of life at Bethel
  • staff perspective of working at Bethel
Presenters were David Huelsewede, person supported at Bethel, and Bethel staff -- Christoph Siedersleben, Manfred Knoop, Paula Garcia and Maria Theresa Lara Ham. 
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2008 - Germany

A group of Mosaic staff and a self-advocate made presentations to Bethel staff on personal outcome measures and basic assurances.  The group also had an opportunity to meet and consult with senior leadership at Bethel. 

Presenters for the 2008 exchange in Germany were Patrick "Hawk" Brumhill, self-advocate from Farmington, NM, and Mosaic staff -- Linda Timmons, Anne Starr, Kim White and Victor Carrasco.