Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network

Programs for Families Who HaveChildren of All Ages with Down Syndrome

Family Social Gatherings

D.A.D.S. Group

Ladies Night Out

PDSSN Friendship Groups

PDSSN Member Scholarships

Sunshine Fund

New Parent Resource Notebook

First Call Program

Triad First in Family Funds

Quarterly Newsletters

Family Social Gatherings

Spring KIDSFEST

Family Day at Camp Hanes

Tanglewood Hayride

Buddy Walk

Winter holiday party

3-21 Deacon Dash for Down Syndrome

And lots more! Check out all of our events at PDSSN.org.

LNO – Ladies Night Out

Meets monthly at different restaurants in the area

Locations are listed on PDSSN’s event calendar and website

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

The Foundation

Supp

ort

Fellowship

Action

• 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 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

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

Post Secondary: To advance the inclusive opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome living in the Piedmont in pursuit of a post-secondary education.

Sunshine Fund

Support for families who are experiencing illness, hospitalization, or other hardship by offering visits and gift cards.  

Electronic care calendar that allows members to sign up to help with other families’ needs for meals, rides, etc. during times of hardship.

First Call Program

A volunteer group of trained and experienced parents who make themselves available to parents of children newly diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Volunteers provide up-to-date accurate information, answer your questions, and listen with compassion, never judgment.

PDSSN New Parent Resource Notebook

Provides comprehensive information from birth through adulthood

Lists I/DD related resources for the surrounding six counties

Available in both English and Spanish

Resources also available online at PDSSN.org

Triad First in Family Funds

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

PDSSN provides funds annually to TFIF for individuals 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 Family Fund

Established to ensure that all families can participate in any and all of PDSSN’s activities and events.

PDSSN Friendship Groups

Social opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.

Groups determined by age, skill levels and interests of each group participant.  

To provide information and skills for children, teens and adults to grow into self-advocates who see PDSSN  as a resource in their lives.

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

Buddy Walk

3-21 Deacon Dash for Down Syndrome

Exceptional Families Program

Partnership with Family Support Network

Meets 10 times a year 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

Next Chapter Book Club

Promotes literacy and encourages friendships among 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

Trained volunteers facilitate each group

Volunteer opportunities available

No Limits II Dance Club

A fun evening out for adults with “different-abilities” (18 years and older)

Music, dancing, dinner, Bingo, and door prizes

Annual spring formal

Community Education ProgramsPDSSN 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: Best Buddies, Triad First in Families, Beyond Academics, The Special Children’s School, No Limits II Dance Club, Friday Socialites, and the Family Support Network.

The PDSSN Buddy Walk

Promotes awareness, acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. Fun for all includes: food, carnival games, inflatables, train rides, the famous talent show, and more!

3-21 Deacon Dash for Down Syndrome

A 5K race with an extra .11 mile added for a 3.21 total distance for the awareness and support of individuals with Down syndrome! Runners’ official times are captured at the 5K finish line; the DASH is just for fun!Significance of the Name: Most people have 2 copies of 23 different chromosomes but individuals with Down syndrome are born with 3 copies of the 21st chromosome (the medical term for this is Trisomy 21).

Dress Down for World Down Syndrome Day

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day, chosen because of the 3rd copy of chromosome 21 in Trisomy 21)

Encouraging companies and organizations to participate.   Penny Wars to raise

awareness, understanding and inclusion among young children which will grow with them into adulthood.

Please Contact PDSSN for More Information!

PDSSN.org336-480-8871

Info.pdssn@gmail.comfacebook.com/pdssn

facebook.com/groups/pdssnfacebook.com/

DADS.Piedmont