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October News for You!
Down Syndrome Innovations offers services and supports at every age and stage to help your child grow and thrive. This monthly newsletter is created for you and your family!
In celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month and our upcoming KC Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk, we had the honor of visiting with Jillian Carroll on My KC LIVE!
There is Still Time to Register and Step Up For Down Syndrome!
Reunite with old friends and make new ones in our NEW, Lifespan Village!
Our Reunion-themed Walk this year will feature:
- Age-Based Tents: we will have 5 different tents so that families in similar stages of the journey can mingle! Tents will be carved out for Adults (18+); Teens (12-18); Youth (6-12), Children (2-6); and Expectant and New Parents/Caregivers (Prenatal - 2 yrs).
- Family Connection areas: we will have tables and chairs set up in each tent area, so that you can reunite with old friends and make new connections!
- Age-appropriate activities: while you're mingling in the Family Connection area, you will be able to watch your loved one enjoy age-appropriate activities, games, rides, and more!
Whether you're a Walk Warrior and attend every year or haven't been to the Walk, you will enjoy our new layout that allows for connecting, enjoying lunch and all the fun activities—while elevating and celebrating your loved one with Down syndrome!
Join Us for Our NEW SERVICE: Connect & Play!
(Various Locations)
We heard your feedback, so we’re launching a NEW SERVICE this winter called CONNECT & PLAY! These groups are for families (with a loved one ranging from newborn to 6 years old) looking to connect with other families out in the community, closer to home!
Connect & Play is an opportunity for parents/caregivers to grow your community, while your little ones play! Events will take place at different locations, days and times to accommodate families with various schedules!
Upcoming Events:
- Busy Bean Play Cafe: Saturday, November 11th from 10:30 – 11:30 am
- Down Syndrome Innovations: Monday, November 27th from 5:00 – 6:00 pm
- Wonderscope: Friday, December 1st from 10:00 – 11:30 am
- Down Syndrome Innovations: Sunday, December 17th from 3:00 – 4:30 pm
- Rough and Bumble KC: Saturday, January 13th from 11:00 -12:00 pm
- Down Syndrome Innovations: Thursday, January 25th from 9:00 – 10:00 am
*Connect & Play is FREE for families! This is made possible our donors from the KC Step Up Walk, our Grantors and our Community Partners!*
Join Us for our Winter, Special Olympics: Young Athletes
(For ages 4 – 7)
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.
- Schedule: Tuesdays from 4:15 - 5 pm, beginning Nov. 14th
- 8 Sessions: 11/14, 11/28, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23
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.
DS-ASD Connection 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.
Back by popular demand—and provided virtually!
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 ever-evolving caregiving journey as you support your loved one with Down syndrome. As part of our Caregiver Education Series, we have invited Dr. Amy Bodde to share strategies that improve your health and wellness and also those in your care.
Speaker Bio: Amy Bodde, PhD, MPH, is a Research Assistant Professor at University of Kansas Medical Center, and specifically, a health promotion researcher with expertise in physical activity for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and caregiver wellness. Dr. Bodde has contributed to the mission of Down Syndrome Innovations’ through training of our staff, advising on new program design, hosting groups on caregiver wellness on our campus, and providing vital resources and strategies to our caregivers.
*This Educational Seminar is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our Community Partners!*
It’s never too early to begin planning for your loved one’s success in adulthood!
Targeted for families (with loved ones up to 18 years of age), this seminar will provide an overview of topics that will help position your loved one for living a fulfilling adult life.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month: an important time for our community to raise awareness about Down syndrome, while also elevating and celebrating your loved one with Down syndrome!
If you would like to join us in growing awareness, it's as easy as hopping on social media to share one of our facts or success stories, sharing our mission with someone you know who has a loved one with Down syndrome: or committing to getting the word out about this important month! Need ideas about how to celebrate? Visit our Awareness page!
Down Syndrome Innovations Welcomes New Team Members!
In August, Down Syndrome Innovations welcomed two new Team members Kayla Schadegg as our part-time New Parent & Medical Outreach Specialist and CJ Vallejo as full-time Family and Outreach Coordinator!
Kayla Schadegg
New Parent & Medical Outreach Specialist
Kayla serves as our primary contact for Expectant and New Parents (prenatal – 2 years old)! She is also responsible for Down Syndrome Innovation’s outreach efforts with the medical community, including deepening our relationships with hospitals and clinics in the region that refer prenatally diagnosed and families of newborns with Down syndrome.
Kayla has a 7 year-old daughter with Down syndrome. She brings with her 28 years of experience as a disability sibling and advocate, with 10 years dedicated to running a fully inclusive children’s fitness center. She also has four years of experience serving as a medical outreach liaison, offering education and resources about Down syndrome to healthcare professionals.
Kayla Schadegg earned her bachelor of science in English from Emporia State University.
CJ Vallejo
Family and Outreach Coordinator
CJ serves as our primary point of contact for parents and caregivers who have a child with Down syndrome between the 3 and 17 years old. He also leads the efforts for all Caregiver Education events and Family Outreach events to ensure families have the support and resources they need, as well as ample opportunities to engage with one another in a supported environment . CJ also serves as our primary outreach communicator for families in Central Missouri.
CJ has five years of experience in an elementary education setting, including serving as teacher in a Behavior Support Classroom and as a paraeducator in the life skills classroom. CJ earned his bachelor of arts in Journalism from Benedictine College and a master of science in High-Incidence Special Education from Fort Hays State University.
Please join us in welcoming Kayla and CJ to our Team!
Changing the Trajectory of Career Opportunities for Adults: The Apprenticeship Program
DID YOU KNOW that in 2022, only 21.3% of people with a disability were employed according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics?
Well, we are actively working to increase that rate through our partnership with Nautical Manufacturing & Fulfillment. Earlier this year, we launched our first-ever Apprenticeship program that provided 21 adults with Down syndrome the opportunity to gain real-life employment experience. Check out the video that shares the experiences of those involved!
Special thanks to the entire team at Nautical for seeing the value in providing job training and employment opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities!
Family Holiday Parties at Down Syndrome Innovations!
Thursday, Dec. 7th from 4 - 6 pm
Saturday, Dec. 9th from 9 - 11 am
Pack up your sleigh and your immediate family and join us at Down Syndrome Innovations for a celebration of the ages! Enjoy festive activities, snacks, pictures with Santa, and connecting with other families!
For your family’s convenience, we have TWO event options to make scheduling this busy time of year a bit easier!
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