Richmond: I'm Determined Self-Advocacy Training & Global Ambassador Training
2025-09-13 09:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
Practice Self-Determination Skills for School, Work, and Life!
Join us for the Virginia Department of Education’s I’m Determined self-advocacy program at VDSA. Self-advocates will attend the workshop from 9:30am until 12:30pm. A pizza lunch will be provided for all!

In addition – Thanks to a grant from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, VDSA is pleased to offer Ambassador Training! In this 90 minute session, you will learn how to be engaging with donors and speaking at fundraising and advocacy events. Attendees for both I’m Determined & Ambassador Training are eligible to be paid VDSA representatives at upcoming outreach and fundraising events!
Both sessions will be held on Saturday, September 13th. The schedule is as follows:

9:30am-12:30pm – I’m Determined
12:30pm-1:00pm – Pizza lunch!
1:00pm-2:30pm – Global Ambassador Training

Interested individuals can elect to only attend I’m Determined or Global Ambassador training. Participants are eligible to attend only Global Ambassador Training if you have already attended I’m Determined.

Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/91375-i-m-determined-self-advocacy-training-global-ambassador-training

Contact Ame Branam, Education Director, at abranam@virginiadsa.org for more information. Individuals with Down syndrome ages 16+ are welcome. This program is in-person at the VDSA Richmond office but families from all Virginia localities are welcome.

Virtual - School Inclusion Support Group
2025-09-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
School is upon us once again! Drop in to this chat for caregivers of school-aged individuals with Down syndrome. During this peer-led discussion, you’ll learn and share with other parents who speak your language!
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/91465-school-inclusion-support-group-sept-25

Virtual - IEP Progress Monitoring Webinar
2025-10-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
A Deep Dive into IEP Progress Reports!

It’s the time of year when the first IEP progress report of the school year comes home. You read terms such as baseline data, making sufficient progress, not yet introduced, etc. Let’s break it down and discuss what goes into writing IEP progress reports, what questions you may have about the data you receive, and how you can use the information/data you are assembling at home to check for alignment with what the school is sharing. Join us as we discuss common terminology seen in IEP progress reports, quantitative vs. qualitative data, grade level vs. instructional level data and more.

Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/92842-progress-monitoring-webinar

Speaker Bio:
Liz Capone is an Advocate, Expert Witness and a former Special Education Teacher of 21 years. She has taught at every grade level from PreK-12 and has worked in six local school districts, including Fairfax County Public Schools. She has teaching experience in all settings from general education to an acute unit and has extensive experience writing IEPs as a case manager, team leader, and IEP Coordinator. Liz has presented to multiple organizations nationally, including The Arc of Northern Virginia, Decoding Dyslexia Utah, and Formed Families Forward.

Life in the Community
2025-11-01 09:00 - 16:00
Life in the Community

SPONSORED BY
The Central Virginia Transition into Adulthood Coalition Life in the Community Committee
The Autism Society of Central Virginia, The Down Syndrome Association of Virginia, The Arc of Virginia, Jacob’s Chance, Beyond Boundaries, Commonwealth Autism, Northstar Academy, Shineforth, VCU, Bright Point Community College,
Special Olympics, The Arc of Hanover

Saturday, November 1st
9am-4pm
Chesterfield Career and Technical Center
13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112
A must-attend conference for teens and adults with disabilities and their caregivers!
This conference will focus on the critical aspects of transitioning to adulthood, providing valuable resources, expert insights, and networking opportunities to help navigate education, employment, independent living and community engagement. Whether you’re navigating education, employment, independent living, or community engagement, this event will empower and equip you for the journey ahead.
When You Register:

You can request any special accommodations.
Self-Advocates can request a Peer Mentor Ambassador to provide support with schedules, navigating hallways, and exploring vendor tables. (Please note: Ambassadors cannot assist with activities of daily living support.)
Select your boxed lunch preference.
Please select your preferred track (the session topic you’re most interested in). You’re welcome to attend sessions outside of your chosen track as well.

Register here: https://ascv.org/lifeinthecommunity/

Virtual - Transition Goals in IEPs
2025-11-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Liz Capone, Advocate and Expert Witness, is back to do another great presentation for VDSA on the topic of transition plans in IEPs.
Participants will learn more about:
● How parental data can contribute to transition plans
● Identifying community opportunities
● The importance of soft skills
● Ensuring readiness for Interviews
● Taking a deep dive into Interests, hobbies, and preferences
● Identifying continuing education options
● Aligning transition information in the IEP with real world opportunities
● Aligning potential jobs with skills
Speaker bio: Liz Capone is an Advocate, Expert Witness and a former Special Education Teacher of 21 years. She has taught at every grade level from PreK-12 and has worked in six school districts, including the largest school system in Virginia. She has teaching experience in all settings from general education to an acute unit and has extensive experience writing IEPs as a case manager, team leader, and IEP Coordinator. Liz has presented to multiple organizations nationally, including The Arc of Northern Virginia, Decoding Dyslexia Utah, and Formed Families Forward.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/94010-virtual-transition-plans-in-ieps

Richmond - Relationships & Dating Educational Series
2026-02-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association plans to offer an 8 week educational series presented by Ame Branam, Education Director, and Rachel Goldman, OTS at Virginia Commonwealth University. Both presenters have completed sexuality educator training through Elevatus Training. We have class offerings for self-advocates in high school and beyond. Sessions will be offered at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association office at 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229.
Registration price is $10.00 for the full 8-week session!
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/95014-richmond-relationships-dating-educational-series
Class Dates/Times:

Session 1: Thursday, February 5th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 2: Thursday, February 12th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 3: Thursday, February 19th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 4: Thursday, February 26th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 5: Thursday, March 5th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 6: Thursday, March 12th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 7: Thursday, March 19th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm
Session 8: Thursday, March 26th High School 6-7pm; Young Adult 7-8pm

Richmond - LEAP Training (Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention)
2026-02-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-18 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-25 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-04 10:00 - 11:30 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association is pleased to offer LEAP (Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention) training for interested individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities ages 18+.
About LEAP:
Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention (LEAP) is an evidence-based curriculum that provides training about healthy relationships and abuse prevention to groups of adults and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Participants Learn About:

Healthy, confusing, and unhealthy relationships
Asking permission before touching
Different ways to say “no”
Identifying feelings and physical signs of being comfortable or uncomfortable
How to get help
…and more!

Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/94771-leap-training
LEAP training will occur on the following dates and times at the VDSA Office (1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229):

Wednesday, February 11th – 10:00am-11:30am
Wednesday, February 18th – 10:00am-11:30am
Wednesday, February 25th – 10:00am-11:30am
Wednesday, March 4th – 10:00am-11:30am

Presenter Bios:

Emily’s bio:

Emily Dodge lives in Richmond, Virginia. She works at Hope Church in childcare and is a graduate of the Longwood Life program. Emily spends her time going to her river house, crafting and cooking. She loves to dance competitively, hang out with her friends, attend concerts and WWE events, and spend time with her fiancé, to whom she recently became engaged. She is excited to teach LEAP and talk about healthy relationships.

Molly’s bio:

Molly is currently retired after over 30 years with the VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities, a university center for excellence in developmental disabilities. She earned her Master’s degree in Special Education from SUNY Buffalo and began her career as a special educator for children with significant support needs and autism. Later, as a parent of a child who received special education services, she has lived experiences on both sides of the IEP table.
Molly coordinated Virginia’s Positive Behavior Support Project (PBS) was endorsed as a facilitator of Positive Behavior Support in 2007. She co-leads Home and Community PBS, a network of the International Association of PBS. For more than 20 years, she directed three projects that assist children and adults with disabilities with issues surrounding violence, abuse, sexual assault, and neglect. Together with a team of families and professionals, she helped to develop and research LEAP: Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention, an evidence-based intervention for adults with IDD. In addition to published academic journals. Molly is a regular contributor to Parenting Special Needs Magazine. Molly is certified trainer for Person-Centered Thinking and Stewards of Children. Her goal is to help everyone enjoy healthy relationships.

Richmond - 12th Education & Transition Conference
2026-03-14 09:00 - 16:00 | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College – Parham Campus, 1651 E Parham Road, Richmond, 23228, United States
Inclusion in Action: Empowering our community to shape tomorrow
Join the Virginia Down Syndrome Association along with educators and families across the Commonwealth for our 12 Education & Transition Conference on Saturday, March 14th from 9am-4pm. We will once again traverse the halls of Massey Library Technology Center at the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Parham Campus.
We are proud to announce that our keynote speaker is David Egan!
For information and registration information on the conference, head here: https://charity.pledgeit.org/c/JxSGvaejG2
Early Bird Admission price is $55 now until February 15th!
