Virginia Down Syndrome Association

I'm Determined Self-Advocacy Youth Event
2023-01-21 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
Open to all youth ages 14-21 with Down syndrome.
Learn to:

Create your good day plan
Build job skills
Connect with other individuals with Down syndrome

Register here: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/imdeterminedselfadvocacy/index.html
For more information, contact – sklauer@virginiadsa.org

Diagnosis + with ASCV
2023-01-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Come join us for a new peer-led group of caregivers of individuals of all ages with multiple diagnoses, including developmental and medical diagnoses, hosted by the Virginia Down Syndrome Association (previously DSAGR) and the Autism Society of Central Virginia
Register at – https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/diagnosisplusjan24

Feeding Parent Support Group (Virtual)
2023-01-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
If your child is having difficulty feeding and you would like support from parents who have been on this journey, we would love to have you join us. We plan to meet 2-3 times per year.
Register at – https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/feedingjan/index.html

Inclusive Schools Parent Group (Virtual)
2023-01-30 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
All parents/caregivers are welcome to this inclusive schools parent chat. Connect with other parents, get support, ask questions. We support inclusion of students with Down syndrome in their least restrictive environment!
Register at – https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/inclusiveschools1/index.html

Making Public Comment: Advocacy Training (Virtual)
2023-01-31 18:30 - 19:30 | VA
Raise your voice for Down syndrome! Training by Voices for Virginia’s Children on January 31, 2023.
Register at – https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/makingpubliccomment/index.html

10th Disability Education & Transition Conference
2023-02-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump, 12042 W Broad St, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States
We are back in person with the 10th Disability Education & Transition Conference on February 4, 2023 at the Short Pump Hilton and Spa, Richmond, VA – Registration is open – https://virginiadsa.org/education-conference-2/

VDSA - Virginia General Assembly Advocacy Day
2023-02-09 08:00 - 17:00 | VA
Join us at the General Assembly to advocate for individuals with disabilities along with the Arc of Virginia. Time to be determined
Register at – https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/gaday2023/index.html

Adult Communication Class with Longwood, virtual
2023-02-14 16:00 - 16:30, 2023-02-21 16:00 - 16:30, 2023-02-28 16:00 - 16:30, 2023-03-14 16:00 - 16:30, 2023-03-21 16:00 - 16:30, 2023-03-28 16:00 - 16:30 | Zoom
Speech/communication conversation with Longwood speech grad students! Fun! Ages 18+ welcome!
Register at –
https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/registerforsocialandcommunicationspring2023/index.html

Teen Talk with Longwood, virtual
2023-02-14 16:30 - 17:00, 2023-02-21 16:30 - 17:00, 2023-02-28 16:30 - 17:00, 2023-03-14 16:30 - 17:00, 2023-03-21 16:30 - 17:00, 2023-03-28 16:30 - 17:00 | Zoom
Speech/communication conversation with Longwood speech grad students! Fun! Ages 12-17 welcome.
https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/teentalkspring2023/index.html

The Learning Program
2023-02-25 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-03-25 09:30 - 11:30, 2023-04-15 09:30 - 11:30 | VA
The Learning Program – The 2022-2023 Series

The 10th year of the Learning Program at DSAGR kicked off in September 2022 as a hybrid model.
Registration is closed for 2022-2023. Contact Sherry Klauer for program information for Sept 2023 to June 2024.
sklauer@virginiadsa.org
The Learning Program is an educational program that serves as a platform for sharing literacy and math instructional strategies, resources and activities to improve academic outcomes for students with Down syndrome, equipping families with the knowledge and tools to work effectively at home and at school.
There will be a total of 8 sessions held on Saturdays between September 2022 and May 2022. 5 of these sessions are for parents only in a virtual format (October, January, April, May, and June). 3 of these sessions are in person and be for both parents and children to receive instruction (November, February, and March). In September, we had a Family Day to meet teachers, other families and enjoy a park day.
During the in-person sessions, parents will receive instructions in a separate parent only class. Children will receive hands-on learning in a student class with centers that focus on literacy, math and fine motor/handwriting setting led by a qualified teacher and occupational therapist with volunteers to maintain a low teacher to student ratio. All in-person classes will be held at River Road Church Baptist in Richmond, VA. All the dates are below.

What level might be best for your child?

LP Level 1 (recommended ages PreK-1st grade or emerging readers)
LP Level 2 (recommended ages 2nd-3rd grade)
LP Level 3 (recommended ages 4th-6th grade) – will be offered depending on interest

Parent classes are taught by a local teacher using the Learning Program curriculum. Watch this sample video for a snapshot of what is covered in the parent learning classes – ABCs of Effective Reading Instruction. The in-person student classes are like the learning in this Learning Program video here!
Cost: The cost of the program is $195 (Scholarships Available). The cost covers:

8 parent learning sessions (Sept-June)
Student reading books for Fall and Spring
Math number line for each new participant
Resources related to literacy, math and more
Access to the LP Online resources
Access to a private LP Online Facebook page

Learn to Grow (baby parenting class)
2023-02-27 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-03-06 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-03-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-03-20 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-03-27 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-04-03 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-04-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Zoom
Learn to Grow, offered to parents of babies with Down syndrome (<18 months). Starts Monday February 27, 2023, 7:30-9pm, virtually. FREE!
Parents of 2022 Babies. Learn to Grow for baby to 18 months old.
This class is in partnership with Suzanne McKeever, The Speech Path
8-week series of classes. Information & resources to answer your questions about the 1st year of development.
Topics include:

Speech and language Oral Motor & Feeding
Sensory Fine Motor Development
Physical Therapy Behavior/Social
Vision and Hearing

When are Classes?

Mondays starting February 27, 2023 to April 24 (no class on April 3)

Each week, 7:30-9:00pm via Zoom

Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/learnandgrow2023/index.html
Contact Sherry Klauer for program information sklauer@virginiadsa.org (even after class has started).

Life in the Community Symposium
2023-04-15 09:00 - 15:00 | Dominion Innsbrook, VA, United States
Back again!
Life in the Community is an informative conference for caregivers of adults with disabilities. Co-hosted with the Autism Society of Central Virginia.
Saturday, April 15th, 2023 | 9:00AM–4:00PM EDT | Dominion Energy’s Innsbrook Conference Center, 5000 Dominion Blvd, Glen Allen, VA
Parents & caregivers of adults and self-advocates are invited to join us for a day to explore interests and get better connected to opportunities within our community.
Through interactive “Community Mapping” activities, all will walk away with tools and strategies for increased community engagement.
Registration Includes:
– Five dynamic sessions
– Buffet lunch
– Exhibitors sharing resources & services
– DD Medicaid Waiver Consultations
Cost: 1 for $25, 2 for $40
Email info@ascv.org to request a scholarship
Sign up here to get more information and to register: https://ascv.org/lifeinthecommunity/
