Spring Services & Supports Begin NEXT WEEK!

Join Us for our New / Expectant Parents & Extended Family Gatherings

(Expectant & New Parents/Caregiver - 2 Years Old)

Saturday, Feb 8th from 9:00 - 11:00 am

5916 Dearborn Street Mission, KS 66202

This is an opportunity for new parents and extended family members (prenatal – 2 years old) to connect with others, who have a young child with Down syndrome. Meet other parents at different stages of the journey, while getting connected with the services and supports that Down Syndrome Innovations provides. Have your questions answered and exchange resources with other parents during a casual, family-friendly event!

These family connection events are FREE/DONOR-FUNDED thanks to our Step Up Walk donors, grantors and Community Partners!

There will be an opportunity to explore our Lifelong Learning Campus and to participate in a facilitated discussion with other families. 

Breakfast and childcare are provided, so please RSVP so we have adequate accommodations! 

Down Syndrome Innovations cares about the mental health of our parents and caregivers. Join other caregivers for facilitated discussion, resource sharing, and yoga, all for the purpose of building your resiliency and taking better care of yourself.

• Discussion topics will change each week and be led by Down Syndrome Innovations staff
• Related resources will be shared each week
• Caregivers will be encouraged to share experiences
• Following discussion, caregivers will engage in gentle yoga to promote self-care
• This group is open to caregivers with loved ones of all ages and IDD diagnosis
• Caregivers can include parents, grandparents, adult siblings, or other members of the loved one’s community of support
• This is a great opportunity to build connections, learn about community resources, and recharge

GROUP CAPACITY: 12 participants max

Please note: these groups are FREE due to a funding partnership with the KU Carewell study. There is an optional research component through KU Medical Center that is included at no cost. It is optional, so you can participate in the groups without participating in the study.

Join Us for a Connect & Play Gathering!

(Multiple Locations)

We are continuing to offer our Connect & Play groups, for families with a loved one who is newborn - 6 years of age! These events are your opportunity to grow your community through parent and caregiver connection and child-led play.

We offer these events at different locations and dates/times to accommodate families with various schedules! 

Next Event:
Saturday, Feb. 22nd from 10:00 — 12:00 pm —> My Play Cafe in Lee Summit
My Play Café Lee Summit: 659 SW 2nd St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

Connect & Play is FREE for families! This is made possible by our donors from the Step Up Walk, Grantors and Community Partners!

Improving emotional well-being and quality of life is a priority within the mission of Down Syndrome Innovations. Join us for this workshop and learn strategies to ensure your loved one, or the people you serve, are living their best lives. Megan DeBoom, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Lisa Lind, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, will demonstrate strategies for healthy coping and emotional regulation that can be used by members of your family and service providers on your team.

You will walk away with visual supports and ideas that you can implement right away to ensure that you, the ones you love, and the ones you serve, are equipped to manage stress and navigate the challenges of everyday life. Instruction is relevant for supporters of individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities of all ages and stages.

Topics covered will include, but not limited to:

• A strengths-based approach to emotional well-being
• Research and best practices for the ID/DD community
• Building protective factors for health and wellness
• Family resiliency and healthy coping
• Co-regulation of emotions
• Skills related to managing conflict and relationships
• Grief, loss, and stressful transitions
• Self-care and wellness

FREE! Made possible by funding from Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County and Eitas

At Down Syndrome Innovations, our Team understands that in order to be a lifespan provider for your family it is essential that we support you in the process of planning ahead for your loved one with a developmental disability. The task list for future planning can feel daunting but we can help you prioritize and point you in the right direction.

Join us to learn how to get started with ID/DD Eligibility in your county, connect with your local CDDO, and begin navigating Medicaid and Waiver services. All registered parents will receive a digital copy of our Long Term Planning Guide. 

Sarah Otto, Managing Director of Targeted Case Management of Kansas, and Sarah Mai, Executive Director of Down Syndrome Innovations, will share valuable information and resources from their collective 45 years of experience serving families with loved ones with ID/DD and navigating ID/DD systems in Kansas and Missouri.

This caregiver education opportunity is FREE/DONOR-FUNDED, thanks to our Step Up Walk donors, grantors and Community Partners!

Suggested Books:

Disability Advocacy 101: A Parent's Guide

We're ready to become your little one's lifespan partner...

We know that as an expectant or new parent, there is SO much happening and it's as though everything is coming at you all at once, all the time. That's why, we expanded our services back in 2021 so that we could walk alongside your precious baby for their entire life! 

As you see illustrated above, the early years are focused more on supporting you as the caregivers and helping your family (and extended family!) learn as much as possible about welcoming your sweet baby with Down syndrome into the world. We also offer opportunities for you to connect with other caregivers at the same stage of the journey, or mentors who have been through it, so that you feel supported! We've designed it this way so that we are here for you (and your precious baby), every step of the way!

As your little one grows up, that's where our specialized team of talented, passionate professionals come in! Whether you want your kiddo to gain more social skills through our services, deep dive into therapeutic services to help them learn the skills needed to thrive, or start preparing for life beyond high school by learning employment skills. We are focused on our mission and vision, which revolves all around your baby!

Our MISSION
Our life-changing support and services enable people with Down syndrome to live to their fullest potential.

Our VISION
We serve as the expert resource and lead community mobilizer, sharing knowledge and creating solutions for people with Down syndrome. 

You don't have to worry about what's beyond the next hour, month, year or even decade right now. We are here for you! We are focused on that all day, every day. So, rest assured: we are here for your family, whenever you need us. We will meet you exactly where you are and celebrate all the positives, while leaning in where you need us most.

Because we are wholeheartedly focusing on offering a lifetime of support... for a life full of opportunities. 

~Hugs from your Team at Down Syndrome Innovations