January's Caregiver Conference, services, supports, events & more!
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December News for You!
Down Syndrome Innovations offers adult 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!
Back by popular demand, Down Syndrome Innovations is hosting our Caregiver Education Conference on Life Transitions! This conference is applicable to all stages of the life journey!
As supporters, we know that skill-development for the person with Down syndrome and preparation on the part of the caregivers are essential in supporting the lifespan journey, especially those challenging transitions where environments, expectations, and routines change. This conference will include a non-traditional, open-house format, allowing for the diverse learning styles of caregivers.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE COMING SOON!
We are finalizing our line up of speakers, panel, activities, resources and more! RSVP to ensure you receive the schedule when it debuts!
PLEASE NOTE: this Conference is FREE for participants, due to the generous support of our sponsors and donors!
Join Us for Social Night at Chicken N Pickle!
Tuesday, January 16th
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Chicken and Pickle
5901 W 135th St
Overland Park, KS 66223
Down Syndrome Innovations and Inclusion Connections are teaming up to bring you an evening of fun at Chicken N Pickle in Overland Park! Enjoy socializing with friends, meeting new people, playing games, and enjoying snacks. We will have three Pickleball courts reserved, as well as some giant games, like Jenga and Connect 4.
Please note: this event is for self-advocates, but we will have space for families to mingle and hang out, if desired!
Please note: this event is free/donor-funded for participants!
Join Us for our Winter, Skill-Building & Social Groups!
Adults with Down syndrome are invited to join our skill-building and social programming that takes place on Tuesday evenings from 6 - 8 pm!! Sessions are always a balance of continuing education and having a good time with friends!
Dates of Service: 12/19, 1/19, 1/23
*This service is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*
Join us for our Virtual Social Groups for Adults that take place on Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:00 pm! Facilitated by staff member, Lauren Spector, these online Social Groups focus on providing a structured environment for participants to socialize, learn, and have fun together!
Sessions take place: 12/21, 1/11, 1/16, 1/19
*This service is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*
Register Now for Our Small Group, Fitness Training!
Adults with Down syndrome are invited to join us for personalized workout classes, focusing on building foundational strength and functional skills.
Sessions take place from 10:00 - 10:45 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The fee for this service is $10 per session.
Each class is limited to 6 participants (or less) to ensure highly supportive training and individualized coaching.
Please Note: there are limited spots available to ensure self-advocates receive sufficient support and instruction. Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis, and based on commitment to the scheduled times (in addition to meeting the assessment and readiness criteria).
Join Us for the Aging Years: Caregiver Connection Group
(Virtual)
The 2nd Monday of each month
5:15 - 6:00 pm
Upcoming Dates of Service: 1/9, 2/12, 3/11, 4/8
The Aging Years Caregiver Connection Group is a virtual gathering of caregivers to discuss resources, strategies, community supports, and challenges related to caring for an aging loved one with Down syndrome.
This group is facilitated by Down Syndrome Innovations staff, and we will occasionally invite special guests with expertise in this area. This is a complimentary caregiver education opportunity, provided in addition to the individualized services we provide directly for families and individuals with Down Syndrome.
We are providing this group virtually to ensure we are being inclusive of families throughout the region and those who are not able to access transportation, as we understand that caring for an aging dependent can feel isolating in and of itself. We understand this is a growing group of entire population we serve, with unique challenges and experiences, and we hear how important it is for you all to feel connected. We hope that meeting one another in this group will organically open up opportunities for you all to spend time together face to face as you develop meaningful connections with one another.
Please Note: these groups are donor-funded/FREE, funded by our donors from the Step Up Walk, Grantors and Community Partners!
SAVE THE DATE: Adult Sibling Connection Group (Virtual)
Quarterly: 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Dates of Service: 2/6, 6/4
The Adult Sibling Connection Group is a virtual gathering of adult siblings who are active in the life of their (adult) brother or sister with Down syndrome. Join us for a casual, online connection time for siblings to converse with one another; gain strategies and resources from us and one another; learn about how our organization can walk alongside them; and create connections to that no one feels alone in this process.
Down Syndrome Innovations is committed to supporting the family of a person with Down syndrome—and this includes adult siblings who may currently be a caregiver, or may have increased involvement in caregiving in the future.
*This Support Group is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*
DS-ASD Connection is a virtual gathering of caregivers to discuss resources, strategies, community supports, and challenges related to your loved one's current or potential dual-diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Upcoming Date of Service: 1/10
This group is facilitated by Down Syndrome Innovations staff, and we will occasionally invite special guests with expertise in this area. This is a complimentary caregiver education opportunity, provided in addition to the individualized services we provide directly for individuals with DS-ASD for the purpose of skill-development, improving self-regulation and behavior, and increasing independence.
*This support group is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*
At Down Syndrome Innovations, our Team understands that vision affects every area of development across the lifespan. Individuals with Down syndrome are at a higher risk for a range of vision conditions that may affect the development of their visual skills. Lisa will provide education about functional vision and common eye conditions associated with Down Syndrome, as well as strategies to work with the educational and medical systems.
Speaker Bio: Lisa Lind, M.S. Ed., LSCSW, TVI, COMS, is a licensed clinical social worker and teacher of the visually impaired with several decades of experience serving families with children with Down syndrome and visual impairment. She has presented regionally and nationally on the impact of vision with people with the Down syndrome diagnosis and offered expert strategies to maximize their potential across home, school, and community. Lisa has contributed to the mission of Down Syndrome Innovations through training of our staff; advising on new program design; meeting with families and offering resources and supports; and volunteering at our annual fundraisers.
Please Note: Attendees are also welcome to join us prior to the presentation between 6:00 – 6:30 pm to connect with other caregivers, review available resources, and enjoy light refreshments.
PLEASE NOTE: this educational seminar is donor-funded/FREE, funded by our donors from the Step Up Walk, Grantors and Community Partners!
Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk
Whether you registered for the Step Up Walk or not, we want to know what you think!! Is it time to try new things to make the event more family-friendly?
Please take a few minutes (we promise it's a quick survey!) to let us know! We are always trying to be responsive to your input! So, let's make next year's Walk the best one EVER!
But we need you to tell us HOW!
There's still time to make a year-end gift!
Will you join us in changing lives this year?
It has truly been an honor to serve you and your family this year! Thank you for trusting us as your lifespan partner on this journey!
OFFICE CLOSURE:
In an effort to ensure our Team is well-rested and ready to serve more families than ever before in the New Year, our office will be closed Monday, Dec. 25th through January 1st. Our office will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2nd.
For the MOST UP TO DATE services & events,
visit our website!
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!
