Click for all things...Down Syndrome Innovations! No images? Click here November News for You! Down Syndrome Innovations offers teen services and supports that focus on maximizing independence; integrating into the community; preparing for employment; increasing health and wellness; and learning essential social skills. This monthly newsletter is created for you and your family! Contact Us! If you are currently in services, feel free to contact your program leader directly. Contact Grace, if you are a new or returning family and would like assistance navigating our services, supports and resources! We continue to be overwhelmed by the commitment of generosity of those who walk alongside us on this journey of providing life-changing services and support to people with Down syndrome of all ages! These weekly on-site and virtual services are consistently at capacity (full!) every quarter— and that is because 93% of families engaged in our services have benefitted from at least one service or event that was fully funded by philanthropy. That means 93% of families we serve have participated in at least one complimentary/free service, program or educational seminar! We would like to keep that possible for years to come! While the true impact of our donors is immeasurable, we see it every day in the successes of the people we serve—and we know that the impact is tremendous! Sponsor Someone’s Journey with Down Syndrome Innovations! Fund a Full Year of Skill-Building Groups for a Teen or Adult: $300 Fund Long-term Planning Support for a Family: $80 Fund a Full Year for a Family to Attend our Caregiver Education Series: $75 Fund an Employment or Employment-Readiness Consultation for a Teen or Adult: $60 Support an Entire Family Connection Event: $600 Please consider sharing our mission on #GivingTuesday and encouraging others to make a gift in support of the families we serve now—and for generations to come! THANK YOU! Be Sure to RSVP for our Complimentary Winter, Teen Skills Series! Teens with Down syndrome are invited to join our Winter Teen Skills Series: Social Skills and Building Friendships! Groups takes place on-site Mondays! For your family's convenience, there are two time options to choose from: Option 1: 5 - 6 pm Our Winter Skills Series focuses on structured activities and exercises to help self-advocates (age 12-18) develop and practice social skills needed to build meaningful friendships. Please note: due to the generous support of our donors and grantors, these events are complimentary/free for our participants. Schedule Your Complimentary, School-Age Support Consultation! Do you have concerns about behaviors or self-regulation in the home? Do you need help interpreting your child’s IEP or need strategies to better collaborate with your school team? Need advice on how to support your child through developmental stages like puberty or transitioning to high school? Our School-Age Education Coordinator, Tyler Goevert, provides complimentary consultations, with options for in-person or virtual appointments. Tyler Goevert School-Age Education Coordinator Tyler is skilled at developing positive relationships with school teams and providing resources and advice that support caregivers and educators. Now Offering: Complimentary, Health & Wellness Consultations! Would you like to talk to a health and wellness professional who understands Down syndrome to develop proactive strategies for incorporating more activity into your loved one’s life? This is a great first step towards better health! Scott offers in-person and virtual appointments, so sign up for a complimentary Health & Wellness consultation today! Scott Quaife, NSCA-CPT Health and Wellness Coordinator Schedule Your Complimentary, Long-Term Planning Consultation! We are committed to preparing your loved one with Down syndrome for a meaningful, productive, and authentic adult life! This requires future planning for parents and caregivers—and we are here to guide you every step of the journey! Long-Term Planning Consultations offer individualized support to parents/caregivers to better prepare for the transition to adulthood. Our Lifespan Service Team will help you prioritize and plan according to your loved one’s age and your family’s specific situation. Please fill out the Interest Form below and we will contact you to schedule a complimentary consultation! Helpful Resource: Long-Term Planning 101 Have you reviewed our Long-Term Planning Guide to help you strategically plan for the future? Check it out — and if you would like additional assistance, be sure to schedule your complimentary consultation with us! Down Syndrome Innovations is thrilled to welcome Ellie Lipnicky as a part-time Administrative Assistant! Ellie will work at our Front Desk greeting visitors, while also offering administrative support to our Team. Please join us in offering Ellie a warm welcome to our Team! Free Parent Resources in Kansas & Missouri Did you know each state has federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) that assist parents with effectively advocating for their children’s educational rights and services? Services are free to parents! Check out your state's resources below... The Kansas City Chiefs teamed up with Down Syndrome Innovations to create employment opportunities for people with Down syndrome—and the results are a huge win for all involved! The Chiefs employ 12 adults with Down syndrome as event staff, which has been life-changing for these individuals! Watch their stories here >> For the most UP TO DATE services & events, Have you “connected” with us yet? We encourage you to fill out our contact form TODAY, so that we may contact you about services and supports that are appropriate for your loved one! |