EARLY MATTERS E-NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2019

Jena Wells, Early Matters Coordinator | JenaW@dsagc.com | 513.761.5400

 

A Note from Early Matters Coordinator, Jena Wells
Happy October! It’s finally fall weather! (Although, I really do love the hot heat. LOL!) I can’t wait to see your little monsters all dressed up for Halloween! If you post a pic of your child in their Halloween Costume on the Early Matters Facebook page - you will be entered into a drawing! If you are not on Facebook and would like to email me your picture - you will still be entered too! Congratulations to Heidi Perry for winning the $20 gift card to Target last month!

I have received a lot of questions about PROMPT Speech Therapy lately. Please take a look at these two documents. They explain the “why” behind this method. If you have further questions then feel free to reach out!

USES OF PROMPT (PDF)

FOUR LEVELS OF PROMPT (PDF)

 

We enjoy seeing so many of you at our Fall Empowerment Classes - Beginning Beats & Parent/Child Aquatics!

Social Opportunities
ESPAÑOL

Early Matters Pogo Play!

Ages: 0 - 5 years
Dates: Thursday, October 17
Time: 5 - 7 PM
Location: Pogo Play, 10870 Kenwood Road Blue Ash, Ohio
Description:  Come enjoy a night at Pogo Play with your DSAGC friends! Let your children play together while you network with other parents. There is a large room for toddlers to have fun! We will also have a party room to enjoy some snacks, pizza, and drinks. To learn more about Pogo Play, visit their website: https://www.gopogoplay.com/

Please note, the DSAGC will cover the cost of each child with Down syndrome. If siblings attend, admission at the door will be: $3 crawling – 2 years; $6.50 3 years & up. Pogo Play will donate 20% of admission sales back to the DSAGC!

Register

DSAGC Holiday Party

Ages: all ages
Dates: Sunday, December 8
Time: 1 - 3 PM
Location: Oasis Conference Center, 902 Loveland Miamiville Rd, Loveland, OH 45140
Description: The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati celebrates the holiday season every December by bringing together our families for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, arts and crafts, holiday decorating, gifts and more. This is a free event, but families that wish to attend must register. 

Register

21 Series

Strategies to Support a Grieving Loved One

Ages: Parents, Professionals, and Advocates (ages 15 & up)
Dates: Monday, October 21
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212) 
Presentes: Liz Spanel, Outreach Coordinator, Fernside: Supporting Children and Families Through Grief
Program Coordinator: Jena Wells, Early Matters Coordinator
Description: This presentation is geared toward parents and caretakers of individuals with Down syndrome. How do you explain that a family member has passed away? What resources can you use to aid the discussion? How does the development of a person affect their grief emotions? Can grief be masked as other things?

During this presentation you will be given tips about how to understand grief and best support our grieving individuals with Down syndrome. You may not need this information now, but this is information that can be helpful for years to come. We are thankful that Fernside is working with us to understand the grieving process for our loved ones with Down syndrome.

Register

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship

Ages: Parents, Professionals, and Advocates (ages 15 & up)
Dates: Thursday, November 21
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212) 
Program Coordinator: Joanie Elfers, School Age Matters Coordinator
Description:  The Jon Peterson Scholarship Program provides scholarships to Ohio students who are eligible to attend kindergarten through 12th grade and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their school district. A representative from the Ohio Department of Education will be discussing specifics in relation to the scholarship. Join us for a very informative evening!

Register

Family Resources

Community Participation Fund

We have a limited amount of scholarships available for individuals with Down syndrome to participate in community activities (such as camps, soccer, swim lessons) and therapies. 

Learn more and Register

Hospital Care Packages

Is your child (18 years and younger), with Down syndrome, spending three or more days in the hospital? The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati would love to support you during this difficult time.

Learn more and Register

Community Groups

A Community Group is designed to create opportunities for families that have children with Down syndrome to network and share common interests, concerns, challenges, and information.

Learn more and Register

Community Opportunities

The DSAGC does not endorse, recommend or support any particular regime, therapy, activity, camp or treatment.  We welcome articles and information from parents, professionals and other interested parties.If you are interested in a community opportunity, please contact the presenting organization directly for additional details.

Special Olympics - Young Athletes Program
presented by Special Olympics Hamilton County

When: Year-round
Where: Wednesday (JF Dulles Elementary) | Thursday (The Rockwern Academy)

Our young athletes program is for children 2 to 7 years old who have intellectual disabilities. It’s a program designed to get young people moving and interacting with each other. Along with a partner, such as a parent or guardian, children participate in activities that are designed to foster physical, cognitive and social development. Sessions occur throughout the year and are ten weeks long.

Learn more

The Children's Theatre Sensory-Friendly Performances
presented by The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati

When: Casper, October 16 | Annie Jr., March 8 | Matilda, April 29
Where: Taft Theatre
At The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, we believe theatre is for everyone.  That’s why we are so excited to present the third season of MainStage Sensory-Friendly performances at the Taft Theatre.  

Learn more

Trusts and Stable Accounts
presented by Hamilton County Developmental Disability Services

When: Monday, October 28
Where: Hamilton County DD Services Kingsley Center 
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
What is a STABLE account and how does it work? What is a Special Needs Trust and is it right for your situation? What are Pooled Trusts and what benefits do they offer? How can a STABLE account be used in combination with a trust to plan a secure future?

Learn more

Common Threads Network
presented by Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities

When: Monday, November 4
Where: Centre Park of West Chester (5800 Muhlhauser Rd, 45069)
Time: 9 AM-12 PM
Hear the new Director’s vision for the future of DD services, and budget updates. Learn about Individual Service Plan changes, waiting-list and waiver updates, and how technology is becoming central to a life of independence.  Families will hear the ways they can “contribute to the work” and “stay in the loop” to ensure their decisions are fully informed and, based on current information as they plan across the lifespan. We will ensure even you’re deepest concerns are responded to by the right person! 

Learn more

Emergency Preparedness Training
presented by The Academy

When: Thursday, November 14
Where: LADD - Center for Community Engagement 
Time: 10 AM - 4 PM
Whether it's a fire, weather or violent intruder hazard, the Department of Developmental Disabilities expects agencies to have appropriate response plans and procedures in place. Are you prepared? Training participants will receive a flash drive containing over 60 ‘take and use’ resources. 

Learn more

Norwood Library Family Night
presented by Norwood Library

When: Last Friday of the Month
Where: Norwood Library
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Enjoy an after-hours event to explore the collection and participate in fun activities in a low-stress environment. All ages welcome. No  registration required. 

Learn more

Research Study - HELP-DS
presented by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute of Health

Your family may benefit by learning about the importance of SDB in children with DS. Children with Down syndrome ages 3 - 12.9 years who have not had their tonsils and adenoid removed can participate. 

Learn more

Focus Groups-Cincinnati Children's
presented by The Thomas Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Where: Locations include Thomas Center or Liberty campus
The Thomas Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is looking for individuals willing to participate in focus groups as part of a research study.
• Family members of children with Down syndrome (2 – 18 years old)
• Adults with Down syndrome (18+ years old) who are willing to be a self-advocate
• Professionals involved with individuals with Down syndrome (6+ months of experience)

Our goal during the focus groups is to discuss behaviors seen in individuals with Down syndrome and to identify which areas are more problematic than others.Each focus group will be no longer than 2 hours.

Benefits include: Compensation of $30 and helping improve measurements for DS

Also: Snacks and child care provided on site of the focus group! Interested? Contact our study team for potential dates and times:

Emily K. Hoffman, MEd – Emily.Hoffman1@cchmc.org or 513.803.3641

Spread the word! Dr. Anna Esbensen, PhD and her team appreciate your help!

DD Services Levy - Issue 21
Issue 21, the Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services Levy, funds efficient, high quality services that allow people with DD to live, work, learn, and fully participate in their communities. It will be on the ballot for voters this fall. As a renewal levy, Issue 21 won’t increase the amount homeowners currently pay, but it will ensure that these services continue.

If you'd like to display a sign in your yard, the DSAGC has 25 signs available for pick-up at our office. Stop by anytime between 10 - 3 PM.

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
4623 Wesley Avenue Suite A | Cincinnati,  45212
5137615400 | dsagc@dsagc.com

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

Unsubscribe