Spring Services Begin NEXT WEEK!

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!

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.

Thrive in '25...

Join Us for Special Olympics: Young Athletes!

(4-7 yrs)

In partnership with Special Olympics, Young Athletes is designed to promote the development of an active lifestyle through play for children between the ages of 4 and 7. Self-advocates will engage in a variety of activities and games alongside their peers targeted towards gross motor and social skill development. The first and final sessions are required.

Wednesdays from 5 - 5:45 pm
Sessions: 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 4/2, 4/9

NOTE: please sign up to indicate that you are interested in the Young Athletes program. Registration occurs on a first come, first served basis. Families will be informed if there is a waiting list. 

These groups are FREE/DONOR-FUNDED, thanks to our Step Up Walk donors, 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!

Caregiver Connection: DS – ASD is a virtual gathering of caregivers to discuss resources, strategies, community supports, and challenges related to a child or adult’s current or potential dual-diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

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.
 
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 facing a dual-diagnosis can already feel isolating in and of itself. We understand this is a subgroup of the 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.

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