Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network

Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network’s Mission

• Enhance the lives of people with Down syndrome

• Provide information and support to families and professionals

• Provide educational and social opportunities for our members

• Educate the community to promote awareness, respect, and inclusion of people with Down syndrome

PDSSN is a Support and Advocacy Group

Founded in 1987

Has grown and increased services to others over the past 12 years

Became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2005

While the main advocacy remains on Down syndrome, welcomes other special needs groups to many activities

In 2012, awarded a grant from the Winston-Salem Foundation and hired a part-time executive director

Affiliations: National Down Syndrome Congress, the National Down Syndrome Society, Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, and HandsOn Northwest North Carolina

www.pdssn.org highlights our mission, programs, events calendar, information about Down syndrome, and more.

PDSSN Organization

PDSSN Representation on Community Committees

CenterPoint’s Consumer & Family Advisory Committee

CenterPoint’s IDD Advisory Committee

Forsyth County Special Needs Planning Committee

Family Support Network’s Local Collaboration Team

Disability Rights North Carolina Board

Keynote Presentation at the NC ARC State Conference

Disability Advocates

DHHS and the Medicaid Reform Advisory Group

Programs for Families Who HaveChildren with Down Syndrome

Family Social Gatherings

Ladies Night Out

D.A.D.S. Group

PDSSN Member Scholarships

Sunshine Fund

New Parent Resource Notebook

Pre and Post Natal Program

Triad First in Family Funds

Seasonal Newsletters

Family Social Gatherings

Regular gatherings include:

• Dine Out - PDSSN family nights at area restaurants

• A winter family gathering

• A summer family picnic

• Spring KIDS FEST

• Ladies Nights Out

• D.A.D.S. (Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome)

PDSSN Member Scholarships

PDSSN members can apply for funding to attend national and local Down syndrome related conferences.

Scholarship awards based on past years involvement with the PDSSN.

“To assist and support, through fellowship and action, the fathers and families of individuals with Down syndrome”

The Foundation

• To create a network of fathers willing to develop a program based on the needs of the men involved

• To enhance a father’s knowledge and resources about children and individuals with Down syndrome

• To enhance personal advocacy skills

• To improve a family’s ability to cope with the unique challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome

• To provide a safe atmosphere of support where men can openly share

• To have fun and build camaraderie and friendships among fathers

• Open Forum and Info: https://www.facebook.com/DADS.Piedmont

• Closed discussion group on Facebook

• PDSSN Site: http://pdssn.org/programs-3/d-a-d-s/

Simple Mission:

Simple Goals:

Information:

:

D.A.D.S. – Piedmont Chapter

PDSSN Member Scholarships

PDSSN members can apply for funding to attend national and local Down syndrome related conferences.

Scholarship awards based on past years involvement with the PDSSN.

Sunshine Fund

The PDSSN shows support for families who are experience illness, hospitalization, or other hardship by offering visits and gift cards.  

This year the committee expanded support for families in need through the use of an electronic care calendar that allows members to sign up for meals, rides, etc. to help with family needs.

PDSSN New Parent Resource Notebook

Provides comprehensive information for ages birth through adulthood

Lists IDD related resources for the surrounding six counties

Available in both English and Spanish

Materials also available online at www.pdssn.com

Thanks to the LAMB Foundation for their support

Pre & Post Natal Program

Available to any family whose child is diagnosed with Down syndrome before or after birth

Provides up-to-date accurate written information as well as a trained volunteer

Triad First in Family Funds

TFIF offers support to families and individuals in Forsyth, Davie & Stokes Counties. Support might be achieved by connecting them to community programs, obtaining discounts and in some cases providing funds.

The PDSSN annually provides funds to TFIF that can be used for people who have Down syndrome and their families in the 3 counties TFIF covers plus Surry, Yadkin, and Davidson. Distribution of funds is determined by the TFIF management team.

First In Families of North Carolina Believe, Achieve, Give Back.

Eligibility Requirements:

Triad First In Families supports any family in which one family member has a developmental disability or traumatic brain injury.

The family/individual must be living in their own rented or owned home, not in a group home.

Total household income cannot exceed $65,000 per year.

PDSSN Programs Open to the Community

Exceptional Families Program

Next Chapter Book Clubs

No Limits II Dance

Community Education Programs

Annual Down Syndrome Update

Community Grants

Exceptional Families Program

Partnership with Family Support Network

Meets 10 times a year on the 4th Thursday of the month from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the Little Creek Recreation Center

Guest facilitators support discussions regarding topics of interest to parents of children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities

A light supper and childcare are available but reservations for both are required

Professionals are welcome and Infant Toddler Credit is available

Next Chapter Book ClubPromotes literacy and encourages friendships among adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Members meet for one hour a week at local bookstores, coffee shops and cafés to read and discuss a book of their choosing.

Anyone can participate, no matter their reading or ability level.

Two trained volunteers facilitate each group.

Currently 4 adult clubs in Forsyth County.

Will expand to other counties when enough people show interest.

No Limits II Dances

Promotes literacy and encourages friendships among adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities.For adults with intellectual and physical challenges (18 years or older)

Dance, play Bingo, enjoy refreshments and door prizes

Community Education Programs

PDSSN Community Education Programs are open to everyone.

Our speakers have included: speech language pathologists; occupational therapists; ear, nose and throat doctors; special needs trusts attorneys; estate planning professionals; and others.

PDSSN hosts an annual Down Syndrome update meeting every January, at which Dr. Tamison Jewett presents the most current medical information available about Down syndrome.

Community Grants

PDSSN makes donations to groups that support people who have Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities.

Some recipients: Triad First in Families, Beyond Academics, The Special Children’s School, No Limits II, Friday Socialites, and the Family Support Network.

Dress Down for World Down Syndrome Day

Please join us this year by encouraging companies and organizations to help promote the acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome by “Dressing Down” on March 21st.  We’ll be sending out more information by email soon.  

March 21st marks the 9th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day.  This day was chosen to symbolize the third copy of chromosome 21 in Trisomy 21, the most common form of Down syndrome. 

Last year, PDSSN celebrated individuals with Down syndrome in our community with our first Dress Down for Down Syndrome day. 

The PDSSN Buddy Walk

PDSSN’s largest annual fundraiser

Held in October which is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Fun for all includes: food, photos, carnival games, live bands, magic shows, inflatables, and the famous talent show

2013 Buddy Walk Results

Revenue Expenses Net

2013 Walk $55,220 $10,633 $44,587

2012 Walk $46,932 $10,388 $36,543

2011 Walk $22,048 $9,255 $12,793

2013 Accomplishments

Launched new website - PDSSN.org

Founded D.A.D.S. Group – Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome

Launched Dress Down for Down Syndrome

Implemented monthly Dine Out for Down Syndrome event

Received Prevention, Outreach, and Wellness Programs of Excellence Award from NC Council of Community Programs for the Next Chapter Book Club

Distributed Baby Bootie Boxes

Held Most Successful Buddy Walk

Increased Community Awareness – i.e. PepsiCo Donation

2014 Initiatives

Awareness video

Support for Spanish Speaking families

Leadership Winston-Salem Board Development

Increase number and variety of social and educational gatherings

Welcome each new family with a PDSSN Baby Bootie Box

Build and expand partnerships with community organizations

Add No Limits II Dances to PDSSN’s programs

PDSSN Member Benefits

Support, social, and educational opportunities

Input and voting privileges regarding PDSSN issues

Information on Down syndrome, resources, and advocacy

Parent resource notebooks

Support if a family member is hospitalized

Scholarship funds to attend local and national conferences

Thank you!