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Norma Speckhard receives Bethesda's 2006 Christian Service Award for Professionals

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Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., a worldwide leader in the developmental disability service industry, recently awarded the 2006 Christian Service Award for Professionals to Norma Speckhard, Ph.D.

Bethesda honored award recipients from several categories at the 2006 Annual Banquet, held Nov.12, 2006 at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis. Each year, Bethesda presents its Christian Service Award for Professionals to Lutherans who devoting their professional time, talent and energy in support of individuals with
developmental disabilities.

Speckhard is the executive director of the Lutheran Association for Special Education (LASE) in St. Louis, Mo., an organization she founded in 1974 while serving as a resource room teacher. She also served at Children’s Hospital of St. Louis, teaching individuals who were home and hospital-bound. In 1998, with the assistance of a Bethesda in Local Action Grant, she developed the Jeremiah Program for Lutheran High School students with developmental disabilities. Additionally, as a member of the Alliance for Lutheran Special Education, she served as a consultant during the planning phases of Bethesda’s expansive “Exploring Faith and Life” curriculum project.

“We are proud to present this award to Norma,” says Dr. David Geske, president and CEO of Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. “Her dedication and outstanding work of sharing Christ’s message by including individuals with developmental disabilities in our Lutheran schools as truly made a difference in so many young lives. Her experience and talent enriches and supports the lives of each individual she supports. ”

Other awards presented at the meeting included, the Christian Service Award for Volunteers, the Bethesda Voices Public Policy Award and the Pool of Bethesda Award.

Now in its second century of service, Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the country and throughout the world. It is Bethesda’s mission to support the needs of the individual—both physical and spiritual—and as a result, Bethesda offers many different types of services for the individual and their family, including a variety of residential facilities, supported-living programs, outreach services and secular training workshops. For more information on Bethesda’s services and support programs, call the public relations office at 800.369.4636, ext. 3817, or email: pr@blhs.org.