Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual)
2023-05-19 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Open House Week with our partner- Jacob’s Chance
Virginia Down Syndrome Association Staff will be there to greet you also!

May 19 – Friday, 4-5:00pm | Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual). Highschool grads. A casual weekly Zoom gathering for participants to express themselves through music, art, poetry, or dance! Come out ready to perform or simply sit back and cheer your friends on!

All programs free.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/57142-open-house-week-with-jacob-s-chance

Sexual Health & Relationships: What Caregivers Need to Know (Virtual)
2023-05-24 19:00 - 20:30
Sexual Health & Relationships: What Caregivers Need to Know
We will be joined by EASE for the first hour of this session to learn why it’s so important to talk to our teens and adults with Down syndrome about sex and relationships. Then we will engage in a short conversation – VDSA wants to know what other topics in this series you’d like to see offered in the future.

May 24, 2023 @ 7:00PM — 8:30PM on Zoom.

If you have any questions, contact
Sherry Klauer
Education Director
Virginia Down Syndrome Association
804-256-6243
email: sklauer@virginiadsa.org

Improvaneer - ages 16+ (Virtual)
2023-05-25 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-06-01 19:00 - 20:00
The Improvaneer Method – Online Style (Virtual) for age 16+, 5 week class
This virtual class helps build key skills that enhance social, workplace, and lifetime opportunities in ways never imagined before!
Thursdays from 7:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $35 per person for 5 week class
May 4 to June 1
Scholarships Available – https://virginiadsa.org/scholarships/
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56171-improvaneer-method-may-june-2023
Learn more at https://www.theimprovaneermethod.com/

21 Shades (Black Family Support Group) - Virtual
2023-07-05 20:00 - 21:00, 2023-08-02 20:00 - 21:00, 2023-09-06 20:00 - 21:00, 2023-10-04 20:00 - 21:00, 2023-11-01 20:00 - 21:00
21 Shades (Black Family Support Group)
Please join the Virginia Down Syndrome Associations monthly 21 Shades of Virginial Black Family Support Group.
The group, 21 shades of Virginia, is a support group created after an expressed need in support of families expecting or raising a Black/interracial child with Down Syndrome.
The purpose of this group is to create a safe space for the Black Community to network, collaborate, create and share information while building meaningful connections.
Upon registration you will be sent a link to Zoom.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Raena Gradford, rgradford@virginiadsa.org.

Feb. 1, March 1, April 5 & May 3

Register here: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/21ShadesMonthlySupportGroupforBlackFamilies

Improvaneer - Virtual
2023-09-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-09-14 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-09-21 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-09-28 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-10-05 19:00 - 20:00
Improvaneer – Virtual
Two sessions: Sept. 7 – Oct. 5 & Oct. 12 – Nov. 16. $25 each 5 week session.
Thursday Nights from 7:00-8:00 pm.
Teens to adults are welcome to sign up! FunQuest (Ages 13 to 20) & Fun4Life (ages 21+)
Join us for this fulfilled virtual hour! The Virginia Down Syndrome Association is excited to offer another session of Improvaneer Method!
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56171-improvaneer-method-october-and-november-2023

Mentor Training
2023-09-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-10-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-11-14 19:00 - 21:00
Interested in being a mentor to fellow parents raising a child with Down syndrome?
Register for one of our next training sessions to become an official VDSA Mentor!
What is a Mentor? Someone with lived experience raising or supporting a child with Down Syndrome who wants to support other parents.
Who are mentors? Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers
What are the requirements of a mentor? Attend Mentor Training (Virtual), Dedicate a few hours a month, Have an open and honest heart.
Training dates:
Sept. 19, Oct. 24 and Nov. 14 all from 7- 9 pm virtually
Register here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/60999-mentor-program

All About IEPs - Virtual
2023-09-20 19:00 - 20:00
The IEP process can be frustrating and confusing. Medical Home Plus (MHP) has supported families through the IEP process for decades. We will start with an informational session and end with Q&A. This program is free for families of children with Down syndrome.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/60264-all-about-iep-s

Info Session on Learning Program
2023-09-21 18:30 - 19:30
Support your young child as they learn math and reading skills! Come find out more about The Learning Program (in-person and virtual options) set to begin in October. Register to receive the Zoom link for this free virtual information session here:
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/61887-learning-program-information-session
sklauer@virginiadsa.org

Diagnosis+ Help Group - Virtual
2023-09-26 18:30 - 19:30
Diagnosis+ Help Group – Virtual
This peer-led discussion provides support for caregivers of individuals with multiple diagnoses. The program is co-hosted by the Autism Society of Central Virginia and the Virginia Down Syndrome Association.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/60302-diagnosis-help-group

The Learning Program
2023-10-07 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-11-04 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-12-02 09:00 - 11:00
The Learning Program
Starts October 7 – 9:00 – 11:00 am
-8 monthly sessions held on Saturdays between October 2023 and June 2024.
-All sessions will have an in-person and virtual option (June is all virtual).
-Shady Grove YMCA – 11255 Nuckols Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059
-Cost: The cost of the program is $260 (in person), $160 (virtual) (Scholarships Available).

The Learning Program is an educational program developed by the Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County (DSFOC). It 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.

Virtual option for parents living outside of Richmond
LP Level 1 (recommended ages PreK-1st grade or emerging readers)
LP Level 2 (recommended ages 2nd-3rd grade)
Parent classes are taught by a local parent of a young adult with Down syndrome using the Learning Program curriculum.

During each session, parents will receive instruction in a separate parent only class. Children will receive hands-on learning in a student class with centers that focus on literacy and math led by qualified teachers and an occupational therapist.

Questions, email sklauer@virginiadsa.org
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/61132-the-learning-program

Improvaneer - Virtual
2023-10-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-10-19 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-10-26 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-09 19:00 - 20:00
Improvaneer – Virtual
Oct. 12 – Nov. 9. $25 each 5 week session.
Thursday Nights from 7:00-8:00 pm.
Teens to adults are welcome to sign up! FunQuest (Ages 13 to 20) & Fun4Life (ages 21+)
Join us for this fulfilled virtual hour! The Virginia Down Syndrome Association is excited to offer another session of Improvaneer Method!
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56171-improvaneer-method-october-and-november-2023

Supporting Your Family with a Disability Life Plan - Virtual
2023-10-23 19:00 - 20:00
Financial planning can be daunting! Join us on Monday 10/23 from 7:00-8:00 pm for Supporting Your Family with a Disability Life Plan:
– Put together a family-centered disability life plan
– Protect vulnerable family members
– Calculate the cost of care and provide for that in the future
– Identify future needed supports

Registration link: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/62203-supporting-your-family-with-a-disability-life-master-plan

Diagnosis+ Help Group - Virtual
2023-11-28 18:30 - 19:30
Diagnosis+ Help Group – Virtual
This peer-led discussion provides support for caregivers of individuals with multiple diagnoses. The program is co-hosted by the Autism Society of Central Virginia and the Virginia Down Syndrome Association.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/63666-diagnosis-help-group
