After a robust lineup of virtual meetings in the fall, we are continuing these offerings into 2021. We appreciate your continued feedback and insight in regards to the strengths and opportunities of our local Down syndrome community. With your support and participation we will make this a cornerstone of our community efforts moving forward.
We are thrilled to continue our virtual SPEAKER SERIES and FAMILY CONNECTION PROGRAM. Our SPEAKER SERIES is intended to educate, inform and in some cases, entertain our community. Our FAMILY CONNECTION PROGRAM is intended to bring parents and loved ones together to provide support and insight to one another in a safe and comforting environment. These groups are targeted to a specific age or part of the Down Syndrome journey to ensure the content is relevant and relatable for all attendees. Please know that these groups are hosted by DSAP volunteers in our community. In advance, THANK YOU to Kate, Bethany, Jamie, Lisa S., Matt, Mike, Maggie, Lisa R., Anne & Betsy for your generous donation of time and service. And finally, a DSAP TOWN HALL has been added to the calendar for late January. We want to stay connected to YOU and hear what's on your mind ALWAYS. Please bring your ideas as we will be ready with open ears.
Individual sign ups are listed for each event. All events are FREE and open to ALL.
We are thrilled to continue our virtual SPEAKER SERIES and FAMILY CONNECTION PROGRAM. Our SPEAKER SERIES is intended to educate, inform and in some cases, entertain our community. Our FAMILY CONNECTION PROGRAM is intended to bring parents and loved ones together to provide support and insight to one another in a safe and comforting environment. These groups are targeted to a specific age or part of the Down Syndrome journey to ensure the content is relevant and relatable for all attendees. Please know that these groups are hosted by DSAP volunteers in our community. In advance, THANK YOU to Kate, Bethany, Jamie, Lisa S., Matt, Mike, Maggie, Lisa R., Anne & Betsy for your generous donation of time and service. And finally, a DSAP TOWN HALL has been added to the calendar for late January. We want to stay connected to YOU and hear what's on your mind ALWAYS. Please bring your ideas as we will be ready with open ears.
Individual sign ups are listed for each event. All events are FREE and open to ALL.
DSAP Biannual Town Hall
DSAP is committed to hosting biannual town halls to provide programming updates, gain feedback from the community on DSAP initiatives and hear from YOU. Please join us for our next virtual meeting on Tuesday, January 26! Please register here.
Speaker Series
How do you turn a Pita into Pizza? - Thursday, January 28 at 5:30pm
This event is intended for individuals with Down Syndrome. Parent/caregiver support is encouraged.
We are thrilled to offer a second FREE online cooking class from Izabella’s Gourmet Chow! Experience the magic of cooking with Chef Sofya Stearns. Through her cooking, every person virtually travels the world. She embraces countries and cultures through cooking. Chef Sofya Stearns is passionate about giving back to the community and does charitable work especially helping those families with special needs. In this 40-65 minute virtual cooking class, Chef Sofya Stearns will educate and teach all ages how to make Pizzas made out of Pita or Naan Bread. This class is recommended for ages 3 and up. Also, during the class everyone will have an option to color or to play trivia with Chef Sofya. Ingredients and supply list included in the registration link. Please register here.
Potty Training Strategies - Wednesday, February at 7pm
Dr. Tarin Santamaria, licensed psychologist with the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA (DSC) will be presenting some potty training strategies. Dr. Santamaria works directly with the pediatric patients and has guided families through this process. In her talk, Dr. Santamaria will offer some specialized guidance needed for you and your child with Down syndrome to be successful. Please register here.
World Down Syndrome Day Toolkits - Wednesday, February 24 at 7pm
As World Down Syndrome Day is coming up in March, DSAP wants to help you advocated for acceptance and inclusion at your child's school. In partnering with Common Ground Society, their mission is to educate and empower communities to be more compassionate, accepting, and inclusive of people with disabilities. Our speaker will be Larkin O'Leary, who is the founder of CGS, educator, and fellow Mom in our Ds community. Larking will be presenting a program that works for kids of all ages. Join in the this training with Larkin by registering here.
Positive Behavioral Interventions - Wednesday, March 3 at 7pm
We have had many requests to offer this session again that was originally presented on 1/6/21. Dr. Tarin Santamaria, licensed pediatric psychologist with the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA (DSC) will be speaking on the topic "Positive Behavioral Interventions." She will also share strategies and interventions regarding challenging behaviors. Please register here.
How to Save for the Future with Special Needs Trust and ABLE Accounts - Thursday, March 25 at 7pm
Special needs trusts and ABLE accounts enable a person with a disability to protect assets that are in their name, while continuing to be eligible for vital government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medical Assistance. Attend this session to develop a basic understanding of how both special needs trusts and ABLE accounts can be used together or separately as part of a future plan for a person with a disability. Our speakers Maria Smith, Director of Education and Outreach and Patty Yerina, Coordinator of Education and Outreach are joining us from the Achieva Family Trust. Please register here.
This event is intended for individuals with Down Syndrome. Parent/caregiver support is encouraged.
We are thrilled to offer a second FREE online cooking class from Izabella’s Gourmet Chow! Experience the magic of cooking with Chef Sofya Stearns. Through her cooking, every person virtually travels the world. She embraces countries and cultures through cooking. Chef Sofya Stearns is passionate about giving back to the community and does charitable work especially helping those families with special needs. In this 40-65 minute virtual cooking class, Chef Sofya Stearns will educate and teach all ages how to make Pizzas made out of Pita or Naan Bread. This class is recommended for ages 3 and up. Also, during the class everyone will have an option to color or to play trivia with Chef Sofya. Ingredients and supply list included in the registration link. Please register here.
Potty Training Strategies - Wednesday, February at 7pm
Dr. Tarin Santamaria, licensed psychologist with the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA (DSC) will be presenting some potty training strategies. Dr. Santamaria works directly with the pediatric patients and has guided families through this process. In her talk, Dr. Santamaria will offer some specialized guidance needed for you and your child with Down syndrome to be successful. Please register here.
World Down Syndrome Day Toolkits - Wednesday, February 24 at 7pm
As World Down Syndrome Day is coming up in March, DSAP wants to help you advocated for acceptance and inclusion at your child's school. In partnering with Common Ground Society, their mission is to educate and empower communities to be more compassionate, accepting, and inclusive of people with disabilities. Our speaker will be Larkin O'Leary, who is the founder of CGS, educator, and fellow Mom in our Ds community. Larking will be presenting a program that works for kids of all ages. Join in the this training with Larkin by registering here.
Positive Behavioral Interventions - Wednesday, March 3 at 7pm
We have had many requests to offer this session again that was originally presented on 1/6/21. Dr. Tarin Santamaria, licensed pediatric psychologist with the Down Syndrome Center of Western PA (DSC) will be speaking on the topic "Positive Behavioral Interventions." She will also share strategies and interventions regarding challenging behaviors. Please register here.
How to Save for the Future with Special Needs Trust and ABLE Accounts - Thursday, March 25 at 7pm
Special needs trusts and ABLE accounts enable a person with a disability to protect assets that are in their name, while continuing to be eligible for vital government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medical Assistance. Attend this session to develop a basic understanding of how both special needs trusts and ABLE accounts can be used together or separately as part of a future plan for a person with a disability. Our speakers Maria Smith, Director of Education and Outreach and Patty Yerina, Coordinator of Education and Outreach are joining us from the Achieva Family Trust. Please register here.
Family Connection Program
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Parents of Ages 0-2 - Feb 18 at 7pm
Parent Leaders: Kate Vitek & Bethany Glyde Please register here. Parents of Ages 6-12 - Feb. 15 at 7pm Parent Leader: Jamie Karlovitz Please register here. Parents of Adults - Feb. 2 at 8pm Parent Leader: Lisa Silverman Please register here. Dads Connection Call - Feb. 25 at 7pm Parent Leaders: Matt McGrath & Mike Mathias Please register here. |
