VIRGINIA DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION

IN ADDITION TO VOLUNTEER SERVICES, THE ORGANIZATION IS THE GRATEFUL RECIPIENT OF FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY 100% OF ITS BOARD AND STAFF. IN 2024 VDSA REACHED A NEW MILESTONE IN PROGRAMS AND INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT PROVIDED TO FAMILIES IN OUR NETWORK. WE WELCOMED 107 NEW FAMILIES AND PROVIDED FAMILY CARE SUPPORT TO 215 EXISTING FAMILIES. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO HOST IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL SOCIAL AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. WE PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 347 PROGRAM OFFERINGS TO FAMILIES ACROSS ALL OUR SERVICE AREAS. WE HAD 3,284 ATTENDEES ACROSS THE PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDED 1,687 ATTENDEES WHO WERE INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME, 1,235 WERE PARENTS OR EDUCATORS AND 362 WERE SIBLINGS. WE PROUDLY SERVE OVER 800 FAMILIES ACROSS GREATER RICHMOND, CHARLOTTESVILLE, WILLIAMSBURG, CENTRAL SHENANDOAH VALLEY AND FREDERICKSBURG. WE WERE PROUD TO CONTINUE EXPANDING AND GROWING OUR PEER MENTOR PROGRAM, WHICH MATCHES AN EXPERIENCED PARENT WITH A NEW PARENT STARTING THEIR JOURNEY AND PROVIDES ONE-TO-ONE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT FOR THE NEW FAMILY. IN ADDITION, WE EXPANDED OUR TEAM BY BRINGING ON BOARD TWO NEW COMMUNITY COORDINATORS TO THE WILLIAMSBURG AND TRI CITIES SERVICE AREAS. THESE COORDINATORS PROVIDE DEDICATED FAMILY SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING TO OUR FAMILIES IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY. FAMILY SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH:WE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH FAMILIES AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE BY OFFERING CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER FAMILIES AS WELL AS OFFERING RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACCESS SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR TEAM CONTINUED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND RESOURCES TO HELP ADDRESS THE GROWING NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES. OUR FIRST CALL PROGRAM WELCOMES EACH NEW FAMILY WITH A PRE-NATAL OR BIRTH DIAGNOSIS TO THE ORGANIZATION. FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED WITH A WELCOME BAG AND RESOURCES. DURING THE YEAR, WE WELCOME 28 FIRST CALL FAMILIES, ALONG WITH AN ADDITIONAL 79 NEW FAMILIES REACHING OUT TO VDSA, FOR A TOTAL OF 107 NEW FAMILIES.AT THE END OF 2024, WE HAVE 27 TRAINED MENTORS TO WORK WITH NEW FAMILIES AND PROVIDE ONE-TO-ONE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT. PROVIDED FAMILY CARE SUPPORT SERVICES TO 215 FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME.PROVIDED $18,543 TO 45 INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS.PROVIDED 138 EDUCATORS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WITH EDUCATION ABOUT BEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DS.FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS ON OUR MULTIPLE PAGES - OVER 903 ON NINE PARENT PAGES AND 4,800 ON MAIN VDSA PAGETWITTER FOLLOWERS, 192. INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS, 988SOCIAL PROGRAMS:VDSA PROVIDES SOCIAL PROGRAMMING AND MEMBER ENGAGEMENT FOR ALL FAMILIES, AS WELL AS TARGETED OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME BY A VARIETY OF AGE GROUPS. OUR SOCIAL GROUPS FOSTER FRIENDSHIPS, PEER SOCIALIZATION, NETWORKING AND RESOURCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND PARENTS. MEMBERS ARE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY AGE GROUP OR PROGRAM THAT MEETS THEIR NEEDS.DURING THE YEAR, VDSA HOSTED A VARIETY OF VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON SOCIAL GROUP EVENTS FOR ALL AGES WHERE MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES AND SOCIALIZE. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED WORLD DOWN SYNDROME CELEBRATION, DINNER OUTINGS, SPLASH PAD MEET AND GREETS, GYMNASTICS, MINIATURE GOLF, YOGA, ROCK CLIMBING, NEW PARENT BRUNCH, HIKING, FISHING, OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CLUB, SOCIAL SKILL BUILDING, JR. RANGER, AND ARTS IN THE PARK. FAMILY EVENTS INCLUDED A FAMILY PICNIC AND POOL PARTY, BASEBALL GAME OUTING, TRUNK OR TREAT, ORNAMENT DECORATING AND HOLIDAY PARTY.VDSA HAS OTHER TARGETED CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS TO HELP PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER. THESE GROUPS INCLUDE:COMPREHENSIVE CAREGIVER GROUP (FORMERLY DIAGNOSIS PLUS) IS A SUPPORT GROUP DESIGNED TO BRING TOGETHER FAMILIES WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE WITH DOWN SYNDROME BUT MAY ALSO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSIS OR CONDITION THAT BRINGS DIFFERENT NEEDS. THIS GROUP PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS TO COME TOGETHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER, NO MATTER WHAT THAT EXTRA SOMETHING MAY BE.MOMS AND DADS GROUPS ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE EACH PARENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN UNIQUE NETWORK OF SUPPORT. THESE GROUPS HELP PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP, RESOURCE SHARING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. DURING 2022, OUR SOCIAL GROUPS DADS AND MOMS CONTINUED TO MEET IN ALL OUR SERVICES AREAS TO RESOURCE AND NETWORK. GRANDPARENT TO GRANDPARENT IS DESIGNED TO GIVE EACH GRANDPARENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN UNIQUE NETWORK OF SUPPORT. THIS GROUP PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP, RESOURCE SHARING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.LATINOS DE VDSA IS A FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR SPANISH SPEAKING FAMILIES TO COME TOGETHER FOR FELLOWSHIP, RESOURCE SHARING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. WE HOST SEVERAL FAMILY EVENTS EACH YEAR FOCUSED ON OUR SPANISH-SPEAKING FAMILIES. 21 SHADES OF VIRGINIA IS A NEW FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP CREATED IN 2022 AFTER AN EXPRESSED NEED IN SUPPORT OF FAMILIES EXPECTING OR RAISING A BLACK/INTERRACIAL CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME. THIS GROUP IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO NETWORK, COLLABORATE, CREATE AND SHARE INFORMATION WHILE BUILDING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:DESIGNED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN, OUR DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES HAVE HELPED PARENTS LEARN HOW TO RECEIVE THE BEST SERVICES, PROVIDE THE BEST SCHOOL AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, GATHER AND SHARE RESOURCES ABOUT HOW TO BEST INCLUDE THEIR CHILD IN THE COMMUNITY. DURING THE YEAR, VDSA CONTINUED TO HOST MANY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR OUR MEMBERS, WHICH INCLUDE:JUNIOR ACADEMY PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME FOCUSES ON PRE-EMPLOYMENT SKILLS THROUGH VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROJECTS. INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME PARTICIPATED BY PROVIDING COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS.VDSA HOSTED A VIRGINIA VIRTUAL DOWN SYNDROME SPEAKER SERIES CALLED "LEARNING THRU THE LIFESPAN" IN FEBRUARY 2024. THIS SPEAKER SERIES HELD 8 SESSIONS FOCUSED ON DOWN SYNDROME AND A VARIETY OF TOPICS RANGING FROM DIET, BEHAVIOR, EDUCATION, EARLY DEVELOPMENT, ADULT MEDICAL GUIDELINES, MENTAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT. WE CONTINUED TO GROW OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUR OUTREACH & INCLUSION SPECIALIST ROLE. THIS ROLE PROVIDES SUPPORT TO DAYCARES, PRESCHOOLS, EARLY CHILDHOOD, PROFESSIONALS, AND PARENTS OF CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 6 YEARS OLD. DISABILITY EDUCATION AND TRANSITION CONFERENCE - IN 2023, WE HELD OUR IN-PERSON CONFERENCE IN FEBRUARY. THE 2023 EVENT HOSTED OVER 270 EDUCATORS AND PARENTS THROUGH 14 BREAKOUT SESSIONS. THE CONFERENCE ALSO PROVIDED ATTENDEES WITH 34 EXHIBITOR RESOURCES. INFANT TODDLER DEVELOPMENT SERIES - PROVIDED FAMILIES OF CHILDREN 0-18 MONTHS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AN 8-WEEK CLASS SERIES OF INFORMATION & RESOURCES AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT. LEARNING PROGRAM - PROVIDED TO PARENTS IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL CLASSES EACH SATURDAY ONCE A MONTHFOR PRE-K TO ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN. DURING THE IN-PERSON CLASSES FOR PARENTS, THEIR CHILD WORKS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND OT SPECIALIST. HOSTED SEVERAL PARENT EDUCATION WEBINARS, INCLUDING A PARENT CHAT ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL AND INCLUSION, MEDICAID AND WAIVERS, SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST AND FINANCIAL PLANNING, IEP ADVOCACY, HOUSING AND TRANSITIONING FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO ADULTHOOD. MOVING ON - HOSTED A 6-WEEK COMMUNICATION SKILLS CLASS FOR TEENS AND ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY SPEECH THERAPY GRADUATE STUDENTS.SUMMER EMPLOYMENT ACADEMY - HELD OUR 4-WEEK EMPLOYMENT ACADEMY WITH 8 STUDENTS AND PARTNERING WITH 8 BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY. IEP REVIEWS AND PARENT EDUCATION SUPPORTADVOCACY/AWARENESS:SPREADING AWARENESS, ADVOCACY AND INCLUSION THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY OCCURS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARC OF VIRGINIA, NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY, NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME CONGRESS, GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION AND THROUGHOUT OUR SERVICE AREA ON WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY. SOME EXAMPLES ARE:STATE BUDGET HEARINGS ADVOCACY DAY ON CAPITOL HILL IN RVA AND WASHINGTON D.C. WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAYSTATE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGSFUNDRAISING: OTHER COMMUNITY AND RESTAURANT FUNDRAISERS DANCING WITH THE LOCAL STARS GALA - NEW IN 2023ANNUAL STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME 5K & FAMILY FESTIVAL - RICHMOND ANNUAL STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME EVENTS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE CENTRAL SHENANDOAH VALLYEANNUAL T21 GOLF TOURNAMENTANNUAL YEAR END APPEAL