1. Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network

2. Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network’s Mission
•
Enhance the lives of people with Down
syndrome
•
Provide information and support to
families and professionals
•
Provide educational and social
opportunities for our members
•
Educate the community to promote
awareness, respect, and inclusion of
people with Down syndrome

3. PDSSN is a Support and Advocacy Group
Founded in 1987
Has grown and increased services
to others over the past 12 years
Became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization in 2005
While the main advocacy remains
on Down syndrome, welcomes
other special needs groups to
many activities

4. PDSSN Organization
In 2012, awarded a grant from the Winston-Salem Foundation and hired
a part-time executive director
Affiliations: National Down Syndrome Congress, the National Down
Syndrome Society, Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, and HandsOn
Northwest North Carolina
www.pdssn.org highlights our mission, programs, events calendar,
information about Down syndrome, and more.

5. PDSSN Representation on Community
Committees
CenterPoint’s Consumer & Family Advisory Committee
CenterPoint’s IDD Advisory Committee
Forsyth County Special Needs Planning Committee
Family Support Network’s Local Collaboration Team
Disability Rights North Carolina Board
Keynote Presentation at the NC ARC State Conference
Disability Advocates
DHHS and the Medicaid Reform Advisory Group

6. Programs for Families Who Have
Children with Down Syndrome
Family Social Gatherings
Ladies Night Out
D.A.D.S. Group
PDSSN Member Scholarships
Sunshine Fund
New Parent Resource Notebook
Pre and Post Natal Program
Triad First in Family Funds
Seasonal Newsletters

7. Family Social Gatherings
Regular gatherings include:
•
Dine Out - PDSSN family nights
at area restaurants
•
A winter family gathering
•
A summer family picnic
•
Spring KIDS FEST
•
Ladies Nights Out
•
D.A.D.S. (Dads Appreciating
Down Syndrome)

8. PDSSN Member Scholarships
PDSSN members can apply for funding to attend national and local
Down syndrome related conferences.
Scholarship awards based on past years involvement with the PDSSN.

9. D.A.D.S. – Piedmont Chapter
“To assist and support, through fellowship and action, the fathers and
families of individuals with Down syndrome”
Simple Mission:
Simple Goals:
• To create a network of fathers willing to develop a program based on the needs of
•
•
•
•
•
Information:
:
•
•
•
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 provide a safe atmosphere of support where men can openly share
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/
The Foundation

10. PDSSN Member Scholarships
PDSSN members can apply for funding to attend national and local
Down syndrome related conferences.
Scholarship awards based on past years involvement with the PDSSN.

11. Sunshine Fund
The PDSSN shows support for
families who are experience
illness, hospitalization, or other
hardship by offering visits and
gift cards.
This year the committee
expanded support for families
in need through the use of an
electronic care calendar that
allows members to sign up for
meals, rides, etc. to help with
family needs.

12. PDSSN New Parent Resource Notebook
Provides comprehensive
information for ages birth through
adulthood
Lists IDD related resources for the
surrounding six counties
Available in both English and
Spanish
Materials also available online at
www.pdssn.com
Thanks to the LAMB Foundation
for their support

13. Pre & Post Natal Program
Available to any family whose child is diagnosed with Down
syndrome before or after birth
Provides up-to-date accurate written information as well as a
trained volunteer

14. Triad First in Family Funds
First In Families of North Carolina Believe, Achieve, Give Back.
TFIF offers support to families and individuals in Forsyth, Davie & Stokes
Counties. Support might be achieved by connecting them to community
programs, obtaining discounts and in some cases providing funds.
The PDSSN annually provides funds to TFIF that can be used for people
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.
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.

15. 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

16. Exceptional Families Program
Partnership with Family Support Network
Meets 10 times a year on the 4th Thursday of
the month from 5:30pm to 7:00pm 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
Professionals are welcome and Infant
Toddler Credit is available

17. Next Chapter
Promotes literacy and encourages
friendships among adolescents and
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.
Two trained volunteers facilitate
each group.
Currently 4 adult clubs in Forsyth
County.
Will expand to other counties
when enough people show
interest.
Book Club

18. No Limits II Dances
Promotes literacy and encourages
friendships among adolescents and adults
with intellectual disabilities.
For adults with intellectual and physical
challenges (18 years or older)
Dance, play Bingo, enjoy refreshments and
door prizes

19. Community Education Programs
PDSSN 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.

20. Community Grants
PDSSN makes donations to
groups that support people who
have Down syndrome or other
intellectual disabilities.
Some recipients: Triad First in
Families, Beyond Academics,
The Special Children’s School,
No Limits II, Friday Socialites,
and the Family Support
Network.

21. Dress Down for World Down Syndrome Day
March 21st marks the 9th
anniversary of World Down
Syndrome Day. This day was
chosen to symbolize the third copy
of chromosome 21 in Trisomy 21,
the most common form of Down
syndrome.
Last year, PDSSN celebrated
individuals with Down syndrome
in our community with our first
Dress Down for Down Syndrome
day.
Please join us this year by encouraging companies and
organizations to help promote the acceptance and inclusion of
individuals with Down syndrome by “Dressing Down” on March
21st. We’ll be sending out more information by email soon.

22. The PDSSN Buddy Walk
PDSSN’s largest annual
fundraiser
Held in October which is
Down Syndrome Awareness
Month
Fun for all includes: food,
photos, carnival games, live
bands, magic shows,
inflatables, and the famous
talent show

23. 2013 Buddy Walk Results
Revenue
Expenses
Net
2013 Walk
$55,220
$10,633
$44,587
2012 Walk
$46,932
$10,388
$36,543
2011 Walk
$22,048
$9,255
$12,793

24. 2013 Accomplishments
Launched new website - PDSSN.org
Founded D.A.D.S. Group – Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome
Launched Dress Down for Down Syndrome
Implemented monthly Dine Out for Down Syndrome event
Received Prevention, Outreach, and Wellness Programs of
Excellence Award from NC Council of Community Programs for
the Next Chapter Book Club
Distributed Baby Bootie Boxes
Held Most Successful Buddy Walk
Increased Community Awareness – i.e. PepsiCo Donation

25. 2014 Initiatives
Awareness video
Support for Spanish Speaking families
Leadership Winston-Salem Board Development
Increase number and variety of social and educational gatherings
Welcome each new family with a PDSSN Baby Bootie Box
Build and expand partnerships with community organizations
Add No Limits II Dances to PDSSN’s programs

26. PDSSN Member Benefits
Support, social, and educational opportunities
Input and voting privileges regarding PDSSN issues
Information on Down syndrome, resources, and advocacy
Parent resource notebooks
Support if a family member is hospitalized
Scholarship funds to attend local and national conferences

27. Thank you!