January's Caregiver Conference, services, supports, events & more! No images? Click here December News for You! Down Syndrome Innovations offers children services and supports that focus on maximizing independence; integrating into the community; 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 our Children’s Social Skills Group! (On Site) Children with Down syndrome are invited to join our social skills groups that take place Wednesdays from 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm! Our Skills Series focuses on activities designed to help children develop and practice social skills. Our groups will focus on providing a structured environment for children to socialize, as well as opportunities to form strong friendships with others in the group. Upcoming Dates of Service: 12/20, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24 *This service 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 child'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. *These Support Groups are 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. *This Educational Seminar is FREE (donor-funded) thanks to our donors from the Step Up Walk, our Grantors, and our 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, 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! |