Upcoming Events

Mar
16
Sat
Neurodiversity and Autism Resource Event @ Neumann University Bruder Gym
Mar 16 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Neurodiversity and Autism Resource Event @ Neumann University Bruder Gym

The Pennsylvania State Police in partnership with CHOP and Neuman University are hosting a NEURODIVERISTY & AUTISM RESOURCE EVENT

WHEN: March 16, 2024 / Open from 10:00-3:00
WHERE: Neumann University Bruder Gym, 1 Neumann Drive, Aston PA 19014

Please see click the button below to preview the flyer
Please Note: there is a space limitation with this event, please RSVP as soon as possible.

VIEW THE FLYER

Mar
20
Wed
Pennsylvania Family Network Summits
Mar 20 @ 11:30 am – 11:30 am
Pennsylvania Family Network Summits
Join us for our Spring Summits to learn how to use Waiver Services and Participant Directed Services to create the life YOU want. Join the PA Family Network and topic experts as we explore more about Participant Direction, find resources, and network with individuals and families.

Opening Keynote and Afternoon Keynote Will Feature:
-Bill Sattler of Support Development Associates to discuss the role of Person Centered Planning in Participant Directed Services and;
– Attorney David Gates will tackle Sustaining Participant Directed Services & Housing Models

Important Details:

  • Free To Attend
  • Buffet Lunch and Dinner Provided
  • Travel Stipend provided to families and self-advocates (limitations apply)
  • Your Support Staff are encouraged to join you!
  • Resource tables, Wellness Room and Networking
  • There are three registration types to accommodate all schedules. Each session will contain new information, nothing will be repeated.
REGISTER TODAY
Mar
21
Thu
Envisioning the Future For Your Child Series
Mar 21 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Envisioning the Future For Your Child Series
All one hour training sessions are Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

February 22: Transitioning Your Child from Early Intervention to Kindergarten
We will explore the differences between Preschool and School-aged IEP services, and outline strategies to make sure your child’s transition from preschool to kindergarten is a smooth one.

March 7: Student Led IEPs
We will discuss the importance of student self-awareness, explore why students should lead their own IEP meeting and the benefits, and describe ways that students, families, and other adults can prepare for and support student led IEPs.

March 21: A Transition Plan is Not Just a Form
We will discuss the importance of having a vision to guide transition planning, describe the areas to consider when transition planning, and provide a list of resources to support successful transition outcomes.

REGISTER TODAY
World Down Syndrome Day Live Event with Sofia Sanchez
Mar 21 @ 2:00 pm
World Down Syndrome Day Live Event with Sofia Sanchez
DATE & TIME: March 21st at 2pm ET

Watch Sofia Sanchez’s Live Event on Scholastic StoryVoice on World Down Syndrome Day from anywhere! This event is a free, interactive, and SO much fun!!! Just log in and join Sofia as she reads from her new book YOU ARE BRAVE!!!! What better way to increase awareness about Down syndrome and how we tackle everyday with bravery!!!! 💙💛

Mar
27
Wed
Mini-Retreat for Caregivers of Children Birth-5 with ID/DD, March
Mar 27 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Mini-Retreat for Caregivers of Children Birth-5 with ID/DD, March

DATE: March 27, 2024
TIME: 10:00am – 2:00pm
LOCATION: Rivers Casino – 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

If you are a caregiver to someone with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including autism, we invite you to our mini retreat! If you are a caregiver to someone with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including autism, we invite you to join us for a mini-retreat . This is your time to connect with other caregivers and learn about simple, yet effective ways to decompress while connecting with other caregivers. Lunch and snacks will be served.

Activities include:

  • Gratitude wall
  • Reflexology
  • Chair Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Journaling
  • Group Discussion, and more.

Childcare is not provided, but you are welcome to have your family join you for this event.

GET TICKETS

Apr
3
Wed
Pennsylvania Family Network Summits
Apr 3 @ 11:30 am – 11:30 am
Pennsylvania Family Network Summits
Join us for our Spring Summits to learn how to use Waiver Services and Participant Directed Services to create the life YOU want. Join the PA Family Network and topic experts as we explore more about Participant Direction, find resources, and network with individuals and families.

Opening Keynote and Afternoon Keynote Will Feature:
-Bill Sattler of Support Development Associates to discuss the role of Person Centered Planning in Participant Directed Services and;
– Attorney David Gates will tackle Sustaining Participant Directed Services & Housing Models

Important Details:

  • Free To Attend
  • Buffet Lunch and Dinner Provided
  • Travel Stipend provided to families and self-advocates (limitations apply)
  • Your Support Staff are encouraged to join you!
  • Resource tables, Wellness Room and Networking
  • There are three registration types to accommodate all schedules. Each session will contain new information, nothing will be repeated.
REGISTER TODAY
Apr
4
Thu
Pennsylvania Family Network Summits
Apr 4 @ 11:30 am – 11:30 am
Pennsylvania Family Network Summits
Join us for our Spring Summits to learn how to use Waiver Services and Participant Directed Services to create the life YOU want. Join the PA Family Network and topic experts as we explore more about Participant Direction, find resources, and network with individuals and families.

Opening Keynote and Afternoon Keynote Will Feature:
-Bill Sattler of Support Development Associates to discuss the role of Person Centered Planning in Participant Directed Services and;
– Attorney David Gates will tackle Sustaining Participant Directed Services & Housing Models

Important Details:

  • Free To Attend
  • Buffet Lunch and Dinner Provided
  • Travel Stipend provided to families and self-advocates (limitations apply)
  • Your Support Staff are encouraged to join you!
  • Resource tables, Wellness Room and Networking
  • There are three registration types to accommodate all schedules. Each session will contain new information, nothing will be repeated.
REGISTER TODAY
Apr
9
Tue
DCIU Secondary Transition Fair
Apr 9 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
DCIU Secondary Transition Fair
Apr
20
Sat
Down Syndrome Awareness Night with The Philadelphia Phillies💙💛 @ Citizens Bank Park
Apr 20 @ 6:05 pm
Down Syndrome Awareness Night with The Philadelphia Phillies💙💛 @ Citizens Bank Park

Down Syndrome Awareness Night with The Philadelphia Phillies💙💛

Please use our specific code “DSAN” for this year’s Down Syndrome Awareness Day with the Philadelphia Phillies! The game will be against the Chicago White Sox at 6:05 pm on April 20, 2024 (tickets are limited so do not delay!)

THIS IS A REGIONAL EVENT AND EVERYONE OF ALL AGES is welcome and encouraged to attend as we rally together for our Down Syndrome Community in the Delaware Valley! If you have never attended, we cannot wait to meet you in person! Please know, this is an event you do not want to miss! Besides the fact that it will most likely be a high scoring game, it is an opportunity to meet your social media friends from the Delaware Valley in person at one general location, providing you get tickets with our code.

For those who have attended, I know you enjoyed yourself in the past and we can not wait to see you again. Hopefully the weather will be perfect for us!

As a token of thanks and to continue raising AWARENESS for DOWN SYNDROME and INCLUSION in our community we give out a limited amount of T-SHIRTS to those WHO USE THE LINK OR CALL IN WITH OUR CODE “DSAN” TO PURCHASE TICKETS, on a first come basis at our table (exact location for t-shirt pick-up will be sent the day of the event)-By all means, use this meeting place to mingle! Use this time to meet up with OUR T21 FAMILIES who live in PA, NJ and DE! Additionally, this is a great time to take pictures for social media!

Depending on our ticket sales number, we could be given more perks. For example, one of our loved ones with T21 could throw out the first pitch and a pre-game video! Can you help to make this happen? If so, don’t delay purchasing your tickets!

How this works:

  • Rally your friends and family to celebrate Down Syndrome in the Delaware Valley while watching the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
  • Clink on the link below for seating charts and prices.
  • We have seats reserved in sections for different pricing and locations. (The past few years the lower level seats have sold out first, so we were given the Saturday game so we could add more lower level seats, however please plan accordingly.) Tickets are subject to availability, there have been years we sold out, this is our 15 year!

Overall we average about 650 tickets each season; for those who support our DS community, please don’t delay placing your order! Additional, the more tickets we sell the more likely we are able to receive additional perks and funds which enable us to do other community outings throughout the year.

NEW THIS SEASON:
As a reminder, this event is part of the Phillies Phunraising Program, so we as a nonprofit for T21 receive funds for each ticket sold. This season the Phillies have changed their billing format so it will show how much of the funds will be donated back to our groups, so you can write off easily on your taxes. Here is the link to purchase our discounted tickets with our code “DSAN” and the seating chart.

Learn More at phillies.com/downsyndrome

Hope to see you there!!!
If you have any questions, or need further details for large groups just text me at 215-990-8730 or email me @ [email protected]

Thank you for your time and consideration and for supporting those with Down Syndrome in the Delaware Valley on a regional level!

May
15
Wed
Celebrating Down Syndrome at Dave & Buster’s with Isabel Grace Photography 💙💛 @ Dave & Buster’s Philadelphia
May 15 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Celebrating Down Syndrome at Dave & Buster's with Isabel Grace Photography 💙💛 @ Dave & Buster’s Philadelphia
DATE: May 15, 2024 / TIME: 5-8pm / Location: Dave & Buster’s Philadelphia

Join us for a special celebration hosted by Isabel Grace Photography at Dave & Buster’s, dedicated to our Down syndrome community. We invite you to enjoy a complimentary food and drinks, along with a $35 play card for ages 4 to 17.

Spots are limited to 50 guests, so please RSVP at downforsmiles.org/waitlist to secure your spot.

Let’s come together to celebrate our loved one’s with Down syndrome!