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School Age Matters E-Newsletter
Cheerleading classes are wrapping up and the squad has had many opportunities for
performances, collaboration, inclusiveness, and fun! Our team practiced in the Hatton
Foundation Community Room, where they learned routines for their performances. The
group collaborated with cheerleaders from both Ross High School and La Salle High
School to perform during halftime shows at two basketball games. As this session is
closing, registration for other empowerment classes is now opening.
Visit www.dsagc.com/programs/classes for more information.
TOP 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT
FOR IEP MEETINGS 1.ESSA states that no more than 1% of all students (approximately 10% of students with disabilities) can participate in a state’s alternate assessment instead of the general assessment. NCLB had no limit. IEP TIP: If you expect the alternate assessment to be suggested at the IEP meeting, you should request a copy of the state participation criteria for this assessment, BEFORE the meeting, to help you plan for this discussion.
2. ESSA encourages states to develop, share information on and promote the use of accommodations to increase the number of students who can take the general assessment instead of the alternate assessment. IEP TIP: Prior to the IEP meeting, request a copy of the state’s most recent accommodations policy to prepare for a discussion about whether the general assessment with accommodations is appropriate for your child.
3. ESSA provisions raise expectations by making it clear that ALL students, regardless of their disability or the type of state assessment they take, are expected to make progress in the general education curriculum, must be permitted to try to earn a regular diploma, and should be on track for postsecondary education or employment. IEP TIP: Insist on IEP goals that are aligned to grade-level content. Use these ESSA provisions to advocate for inclusion and to focus on the goals, supports and services needed for post-school success.
4. ESSA states that employment should be consistent with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which focuses on competitive integrated employment. IEP TIP: Use this connection to WIOA to advocate for minimum wage (or higher) integrated job experiences during high school.
5. ESSA mentions Universal Design for Learning (UDL) numerous times, recognizing it as an accepted best practice. IEP TIP: Ask your IEP team what they are doing to implement UDL and share the resources at www.udlcenter.org. Some means by which your child is engaged, processes information and demonstrates knowledge may be included in the IEP as accommodations or more informally shared with teachers.
Education Information
For more information, visit the following link:
http://www.ndsccenter.org/wp-content/uploads/ESSA-FAQs-and-IEP-Tips.pdf?blm_aid=36335
Empowerment Classes
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Music Therapy (ages 7-13) with Melodic Connections Tuesdays | February 16 - March 22 6 - 7 PM
DSAGC Hatton Foundation Community Room
$20 fee for 5-week session
Melodic Connections is a community music therapy studio providing
services to all ages and abilities. Their primary goal is to create an
environment that prepares students for their communities and
communities for students. Their classes fill this mission through
instrument play, vocalization and, perhaps most importantly,
socialization.
register
Future is Now (ages 17+) Tuesdays | April 5 - May 3 6:30 - 8:30 PM
DSAGC Hatton Foundation Community Room
There is no fee for this class.
“Future Is Now” is a future planning curriculum for families and their adult loved ones with developmental
disabilities. Through this class, attendees will identify future aspirations, prepare a letter of intent and learn
the next steps to take as a family unit. Parents/relatives and adults with Down syndrome are strongly
encouraged to attend each session.
register
5K Spot On Flying Pig Training
(ages 14 & up)
Formally known as Sit-to-Fit Mondays & Thursdays March 7 - April 30 6:30 PM | Various Bob Ronker's Locations $60 fee for participants
If you’ve ever felt motivated to begin an exercise program, to get out and walk or run, and then lost
interest, here is something just for you… join other beginners – runners and walkers – and discover
the benefits of getting fit. This eight-week exercise program, with convenient locations throughout Greater
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, offers you an enjoyable way to train and experience the power, benefits,
and enjoyment of training with a group of other runners and walkers.
register
In July 2015, Katie and I(her Buddy/mom) didn't know what to expect. Will she actually walk with the group? Will the group be nice/ accept us? Will she ever be able to complete a 3 mile walk? Neither of us had ever walked a 5K. As her buddy, I was also forced to dig deep and suck it up - it was very hot, Delhi is a hill every way you go :).
WE LOVE OUR GROUP! They pulled us in and wrapped us in their love! We walked rain or shine! Someone is always willing to walk with Katie. She has learned that whether you are walking a mile or running a mile, a mile is a mile! They encouraged her and didn't coddle her. They didn't see her limits. They treated her as one of the
group. Eight weeks later she and I completed her first 5k and she was very last- well no I was last because as we approached the finish line our group was waiting arms raised in a tunnel to welcome her across her first 5K finish line. It was very exhilarating and she was so proud of herself.
She is still excited for Mondays and Thursdays to come as our group still meets and since September she has completed 5 total 5k's. She is now working on a new training program run for a minute/walk for a minute. Who knows by Spring maybe she will be running 2 minutes/walk a minute in time for the Flying Pig 5K!
Down Syndrome Research 101:
A Day With the Experts
Down Syndrome Research Conference
Saturday, April 23
9 AM - 1 PM
Indiana Wesleyan University
West Chester, OH This free conference will feature national and regional speakers who are outstanding in their field of Down
syndrome research and clinical care. This unique opportunity will allow individuals with Down syndrome and
their families to learn about new Down syndrome biomedical and clinical research opportunities and
advances, and will provide a forum to discuss important healthcare and research topics related to Down
syndrome.
Topics will include:
Overview of national and state advocacy efforts to improve the quality of life of individuals with Down
syndrome and increase biomedical research on Down syndrome
Cognitive and receptive communication techniques
Improving healthcare standards that will extend life expectancies
Identifying the correlation between Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome and recognizing what further
research is needed to improve the quality of life for our family members with Down syndrome
Importance of DS-Connect, the Down syndrome patient registry, participation
The host organizations are committed to improving health outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome so
they may live longer, healthier and more productive lives. As a community, we want to work to ensure
individuals with Down syndrome have access to the best possible treatments, diagnostics and therapies for
improving their quality of life.
Register Today!
Save the Date!
321 PARTY A D U L T M A T T E R S
Date: Sunday, March 20, 2016
Time: 4-6PM
Location: Hatton Foundation Community Room
4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A
Cincinnati, OH 45212
Register Today! www.dsagc.com/events/321party
fun
World Down Syndrome Day is on March 21st to symbolize a third copy
of the 21st chromosome in people with Down syndrome. Celebrate the
value, acceptance, and inclusion with your friends at our 321 Party!
ages 16+
Community Group Activities
Teen Club Join the members of the DSAGC Teen
Club for a fun time at laser tag!
Location: Lazer Kraze, 7082 Columbia
Road, Mason, OH 45039
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2016
Time: 2:30-4:30 PM
RSVP: [email protected]
Grandparents Group Being a grandparent of a child with Down syndrome can be a great joy. The opportunity to be a
part of special journey with your son or daughter will be an experience you’ll always cherish.
Your years of parenting knowledge to draw upon if you are needed will be invaluable and your
capacity to love a precious grandchild like no other will help the whole family to thrive. Now for
the really fun part --- bragging about your grandchildren, sharing fun moments, and meeting
other grandparents who are sharing in this journey
- cherishing each milestone! The DSAGC
introduces “DSAGC Grandparents” on
Facebook. The DSAGC thanks you for your
support of our organization that is working to
empower individuals, educate families, enhance
communities and together, celebrate the
extraordinary lives of people with Down syndrome.
Join the DSAGC Grandparents on Facebook!
Thank you! Thank you to the volunteers who helped make Glamour Day possible. Stations
included nails, hair, and make-up to prep for the Winter Dance. Our staff,
families, and ladies appreciate your generosity.
Thank you for being a part of this magical day by volunteering your time and
talents to make the ladies feel beautiful!
Invite me to your school! Peer Presentations. I can visit your child’s
classroom to discuss what Down syndrome is and how
people with Down syndrome are more LIKE everyone
else than they are different. Depending on age, I can
complete a variety of activities including reading to
young children, having self-advocates share their story
and have a Q&A session with older students.
I.E.P. Meetings. Bringing support along to an IEP
meeting is an important success factor. Whether it is a
spouse, teacher, or myself, support can help take
notes during the meeting and help reduce any anxiety.
I would love to be that support system for you at your
next meeting!
Meet Connor! Connor is from Sycamore and loves to
practice taekwondo.
Conner he earned his red belt at Ahn
Taekwondo Studio recently.
Family says that Master Hamilton and the
staff have been so supportive and
encouraging, helping Connor grow and
strengthen in the sport.
Hamilton County Special Olympics is offering a program to Special needs young athletes .This Young Athletes Program is a playful learning opportunity designed to get your
child, and their Partner moving. Their Partner will accompany the athlete each week in developmentally appropriate Partner play activities that are designed to foster physical,
cognitive, and social development. This program will do amazing things for both the athlete and the partner; they will learn and play at the same time.
WHERE: Faith Fellowship Church – 6734 Bridgetown Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45248
WHO: Children 2 to 7 years WHEN: Tuesday Evenings beginning April 5,
2016 SESSIONS: There will be one session from 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm.
This program will cap at 10 children with disabilities, and their typical partners.
*All participants must sign up prior to the start date. When signing up please include your athlete’s name and age, and partners name and age.
WHERE: Rockwern Academy- 8401 Montgomery Road Cin, Ohio 45236
WHO: Children 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 years
WHEN: Thursday evenings starting at 6 pm to 8 pm beginning April 7, 2016
SESSIONS: Session 1: 6:00 pm to 6:45pm (2 to 4)
Session 2: 7:00pm to 7:45 pm (5 to 7)
* This is program has to cap each session to 8. This will include 8 children with disabilities, and their typical partners.
*All participants must sign up prior to the start date. When signing up please include your athlete’s name and age, and partners name and age.
* If you would like to register or have any questions please reach out to Christine Rose at [email protected] or by phone 513-509-9893.
Family Financial Advocate Program
If your child has 4 or more medical appointments a year at Cincinnati Children’s…..
There is help!
Myth: My family makes too much to qualify for assistance.
Fact: There are programs available that can help reduce the burden of your
medical expenses. A family of 4 could make up to $97,000 per year and possibly qualify
for assistance.
HELP IS AVAILABLE
Family Financial Advocates assist families who need
additional financial resources to cover medical bills for
their chronically ill child. We identify and help families apply
for programs including: Medicaid, BCMH, Social Security,
Developmental Disabilities Services, Financial Assistance,
and non-profits. Our advocates can assist families
throughout the United States. In addition, they can assist
with complicated billing issues.
For more information please contact an Intake
Specialist for the Family Financial Advocate Team by
phone 513.803.6500 or email [email protected]
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. They do
this through community events, informational meetings, Facebook webpages or playgroups.
AREA SPECIFIC GROUPS
B & W Group
Serving families in Butler and Warren counties
BACH Group
Serving families in Brown, Adams, Clinton, Highland and surrounding
counties
Eastside Group
Serving families in the Cincinnati Eastside area and downtown Cincinnati
KIDS Group
“Kentuckian’s Interested in Down Syndrome” serves families in Northern
Kentucky
Westside Group
Serving families in the Cincinnati Westside area and downtown Cincinnati
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
African American Family Network
Serving families by providing information, support and networking
D.A.D.S Group
Discussion and networking on the aspects of being the father of a child with
Down syndrome
Hispanic Family Group
Social and educational opportunities for Spanish
speaking families
513.490.2834 Marina
DSAGC Teen Group
Serving teens ages 13 - 18 through social opportunities
and networking for parents
Grandparents Group
Networking, sharing and social opportunities for
grandparents of all ages!
BIRTH YEAR
GROUPS serving families of children with Down
syndrome born in specific years
2011
(Extra) Ordinary Friends
2012
12T21 Group
2013
T21QTs
(aka T21 Cuties!)
2014
T21QTs - ‘14
(aka T21 Cuties!)
2015
2016
COMMUNITY GROUPS COORDINATOR
Amy Iten | 513.761.5400 | [email protected]
February Calendar
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
6:30p Butler/Warren Commu-nity Group - Summer Pro-grams Fair
3
6:15p Music Therapy (ages 3 - 6)
4
6p B.A.C.H. - Parent Infor-mation Meeting - Taming the Melt-down Madness
6:15p Cheerleading (ages 6 - 18)
5 6
10a Physical Therapy (ages 0- 3)
6p Winter Dance
7 8
6:30p Butler/Warren Commu-nity Group - Ladies Night Out
9
6p D.A.D.S. Meeting
10
6:15p Music Therapy (ages 3 - 6)
11
6:15p Cheerleading (ages 6 - 18)
12 13
10a Physical Therapy (ages 0- 3)
4p Buddy Up Tennis (ages 5 & up)
14 15
DSAGC Office
Closed
16 17
6:15p Music Therapy (ages 3 - 6)
18 19 20
10a Westside Community Group - Family Play Date
10a Physical Therapy (ages 0- 3)
21
2:30p TEEN CLUB - Laz-er Kraze
22
7p Eastside Mom's Night Out - Mint Bistro
23 24
6p Westside Community Group - Mom's Night Out
6:15p Music Therapy (ages 3 - 6)
25 26
5p Eastside - Group Meet Up
27
10a Physical Therapy (ages 0- 3)
4p Buddy Up Tennis (ages 5 & up)
28 29
