The Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network is a nonprofit organization that provides support and information to individuals with Down syndrome and their families in the Piedmont area. Our aim is to support each other and enrich the lives of our children of all ages so they reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.

1. Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network

2. Programs for Families Who Have
Children of All Ages with Down Syndrome
Family Social Gatherings
D.A.D.S. Group
Ladies Night Out
PDSSN Friendship Groups
PDSSN Member Scholarships
Sunshine Fund
New Parent Resource Notebook
First Call Program
Triad First in Family Funds
Quarterly Newsletters

3. Family Social Gatherings
Spring KIDSFEST
Family Day at Camp Hanes
Tanglewood Hayride
Buddy Walk
Winter holiday party
3-21 Deacon Dash for Down
Syndrome
And lots more! Check out all of
our events at PDSSN.org.

4. LNO – Ladies Night Out
Meets monthly at different
restaurants in the area
Locations are listed on
PDSSN’s event calendar
and website

5. “To assist and support, through fellowship and action, the fathers and
families of individuals with Down syndrome”
The Foundation
Support
Fellowship
Action
• To create a network of fathers willing to develop a program based on the
needs of 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 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/
Simple Mission:
Simple Goals:
Information:
:
D.A.D.S. – Piedmont Chapter

6. PDSSN Member Scholarships
Conferences: PDSSN members can apply
for funding to attend national and local
Down syndrome related conferences.
Post Secondary: To advance
the inclusive opportunities for
individuals with Down syndrome
living in the Piedmont in pursuit
of a post-secondary education.

7. Sunshine Fund
Support for families who are
experiencing illness,
hospitalization, or other
hardship by offering visits and
gift cards.
Electronic care calendar that
allows members to sign up to
help with other families’ needs
for meals, rides, etc. during
times of hardship.

8. First Call Program
A volunteer group of trained and experienced parents who make
themselves available to parents of children newly diagnosed with
Down syndrome.
Volunteers provide up-to-date accurate information, answer your
questions, and listen with compassion, never judgment.

9. PDSSN New Parent Resource Notebook
Provides comprehensive
information from birth through
adulthood
Lists I/DD related resources for
the surrounding six counties
Available in both English and
Spanish
Resources also available online
at PDSSN.org

10. Triad First in Family Funds
TFIF offers support to families and individuals in Forsyth, Davie & Stokes
Counties by connecting them to community programs, obtaining discounts, and in
some cases providing funds.
PDSSN provides funds annually to TFIF for individuals 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.
First In Families of North Carolina - Believe, Achieve, Give Back.
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.

11. PDSSN Family Fund
Established to ensure that all families can participate in any and
all of PDSSN’s activities and events.

12. PDSSN Friendship Groups
Social opportunities for
individuals with Down syndrome.
Groups determined by age, skill
levels and interests of each
group participant.
To provide information and skills
for children, teens and adults to
grow into self-advocates
who see PDSSN as a resource
in their lives.

13. 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
Buddy Walk
3-21 Deacon Dash for Down Syndrome

14. Exceptional Families Program
Partnership with Family Support Network
Meets 10 times a year 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

15. Next Chapter Book Club
Promotes literacy and encourages
friendships among 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
Trained volunteers facilitate each group
Volunteer opportunities available

16. No Limits II Dance Club
A fun evening out for adults with
“different-abilities” (18 years and older)
Music, dancing, dinner, Bingo, and door
prizes
Annual spring formal

17. 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.

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

19. The PDSSN Buddy Walk
Promotes awareness, acceptance and inclusion of individuals with
Down syndrome.
Fun for all includes: food, carnival games, inflatables, train rides,
the famous talent show, and more!

20. 3-21 Deacon Dash for Down Syndrome
A 5K race with an extra .11 mile added for a 3.21 total
distance for the awareness and support of individuals with
Down syndrome! Runners’ official times are captured at the 5K
finish line; the DASH is just for fun!
Significance of the Name: Most people have 2 copies of 23
different chromosomes but individuals with Down syndrome
are born with 3 copies of the 21st chromosome (the medical
term for this is Trisomy 21).

21. Dress Down for World Down Syndrome Day
March 21st is World Down
Syndrome Day, chosen
because of the 3rd copy of
chromosome 21 in Trisomy 21)
Encouraging companies and
organizations to participate.
Penny Wars to raise
awareness, understanding
and inclusion among
young children which will
grow with them into
adulthood.

22. Please Contact PDSSN for More Information!
PDSSN.org
336-480-8871
Info.pdssn@gmail.com
facebook.com/pdssn
facebook.com/groups/pdssn
facebook.com/DADS.Piedmont