DS ACT

DS ACT Annual Meeting
2019-12-16 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | MidState Arc, 200 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT, 06450, United States
The Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut invites you to attend it’s annual meeting on Monday, December 16th at the MidState Arc, 200 Research Parkway, Meriden, beginning at 6 pm.
The evening will include a review of our successes and challenges in the past year and a preview of the year ahead, followed by election of directors to the board. A light dinner will be served.
We look forward to closing out the year among friends and supporters with this last celebration of our community and the many people who make our work possible.

An Evening on the North Pole Express
2019-11-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Essex Steam Train, 1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT, 06426, United States
Join DS ACT for an evening of holiday cheer on the North Pole Express! We’re filling a car for a 90-minute ride on Essex Steam Train, headed for the North Pole. Meet Santa and Mrs. Clause, and sing Christmas carols while snacking on cookies and hot chocolate. Be sure to wear your toastiest pajamas!
This is a free event available ONLY to DS ACT members with an ACTIVE membership, and tickets are restricted to immediate family only. You can sign in to your member profile to check your membership status, or to renew it. Simply click the “forgot password” button if you cannot remember your password on the log in page. If you need assistance, email Shanon McCormick at smccormick@mydsact.org.
Seating is limited and priority will be give to those families who did not attend last year.
Departure time is promptly at 5:30 pm. It is suggested that you arrive by 4:30 pm.
Additional details of this activity can be found on the Essex Steam Train website.

DS ACT Annual Convention: The Recipe for Success
2019-10-19 08:00 - 17:00 | CT
Keynote Speaker: Colette DiVitto
Owner, Collettey’s Cookies

Collette Divitto is a force of nature. Born 28 years ago with Down syndrome, she is now a successful businesswoman and an inspiration to millions.
As the mastermind behind her namesake cookie company, Collettey’s Cookies (www.colletteys.com), Collette has become a global sensation, traveling the world sharing her inspirational journey. From a marginalized young woman repeatedly rejected for employment to powerhouse entrepreneur, humanitarian, and spokesperson, Collette creates jobs for people struggling to find employment. Her cookie company employs over a dozen marginalized individuals and she dreams of bringing her message to all employers.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Online registration CLOSES Friday, October 11th. Scroll to the bottom of the page to register
View the DS ACT Annual Convention: The Recipe for Success schedule & directory.

Connecticut Buddy Walk: Stepping Up for Down Syndrome
2019-09-28 10:00 - 14:00 | New Britain Stadium, 230 John Karbonic Way, New Britain, Connecticut, 06051
We’re ready for fun — how about you?
Take a short walk to help us raise awareness about Down syndrome!
Enjoy family-friendly entertainment including, a DJ and dancing, bounce houses, face painting, crafts, games, a touch-a-truck display, food trucks and more.

Join a team, start a team, or make a donation. Registration and additional information available at Connecticut Buddy Walk

Annual Convention
2017-11-04 | CT
Save the date, details to follow.

Buddy Walk at Rentschler Field
2017-09-30 | CT
Save the date, more details to follow.

Summer Picnic
2017-07-08 | CT

Toilet Training Your Child with Special Needs - New London
2017-06-07 18:00 - 20:00 | CT
The Connecticut Family Support Network is offering Toilet Training Your Child with Special Needs by Ashley Hickey. Registration is required and space is limited. See Toilet Training pdf for more information.
Wednesday, May 24th, (time TBD) in Glastonbury. Contact Pat Stavola pstavola@ctfsn.org
Wednesday, June 7th, 6-8 pm in New London. Contact April Dipolllina adipollina@lmhosp.org
Norwalk time and date TBD. Contact LaVerne Moore lmoore@ctfsn.org

Toilet Training Your Child with Special Needs-Glastonbury
2017-05-24 | CT

21 Strong WDSD @ New Canaan YMCA
2017-03-12 14:00 - 16:00 | New Canaan YMCA, 564 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT, 06840, United States

Artist Bruce Gillespie on Exhibit at Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven
2017-01-18 - 2017-04-30 | CT
Artist Bruce Gillespie, who has Down syndrome, has his work on exhibit at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven. Due to end January 29th, the display has been extended until April 30th. The New Haven Register recently previewed his work, you can read about the exhibit and see his work at Teacher and student team up again for art exhibit at Knights of Columbus museum.
A special event including a ceremony is being planned for Down Syndrome Day, March 21st. Mayor Tony Harp of New Haven will deliver a personal proclamation to Bruce.
The Knights of Columbus Museum is open daily 10 am to 5 pm.
Admission and parking are free.

The Arc Connecticut: Housing Alternatives Conference
2016-11-19 | Neat Market Place, 120 Holcomb Street, Hartford, United States
SAVE THE DATE!

Housing Alternatives Conference
Saturday, November 19
Neat Market Place
120 Holcomb St., Hartford, CT

With endless waiting lists for all DDS services and no plan in place to serve people, many families are looking for alternatives to the traditional DDS service route. The Arc Connecticut will be teaming up with The Family Empowerment Task Force to give families information about alternative sources of funding and resources that are available to people with I/DD. A panel of families who are opting out of the endless wait and are supporting their loved ones in starting their lives NOW, will speak and give advice based on their own experiences.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION!

The 13th Annual Conference on Best Practices in the Education of Children with Down Syndrome
2016-11-18 09:00 - 2016-11-19 15:00 | CT
The Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation
The Center for Community Inclusion at LIU Post, and Alexander’s Angels Co-sponsored Event
Speakers: Dan Habib, Producer/Director; Jessica Perrone, Self-Advocate; Dr. Elizabeth Berquist, Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) Universal Design for Learning CADRE Member; Project Unify – Inclusive Sports
Friday, November 18th, 2016
Tilles Center Atrium
LIU Post 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville, NY 11548

Saturday, November 19, 2016
Humanities Hall
LIU Post 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville, NY 11548
View Brochure Here.

The Arc Connecticut 2016 Workshop Series: After the Cap & Gown
2016-10-11 18:00 - 2016-11-15 19:30 | CT
After the Cap & Gown:
Preparing for the future for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they face the transition from school to adult services

This workshop is for parents and caregivers of teens and young adults, age 13-21, who meet the eligibility criteria for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and will be seeking DDS services upon high school graduation.

Topics covered will include: what services will be available to young adults when they transition from school to adult services; what funding will be available for adult services when new graduates turn turn 21; and how to advocate for funding for your child or loved one with with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Click here for a printable flyer.)

Dates & Locations
*****Each week is the same presentation but at a different location.*****

October 11 -6:00pm-7:30pm -Chapel Haven Bershaw Boswell Community Center, 2nd floor – 1040 Whalley Ave, New Haven

October 18 -6:00pm-7:30pm -The Arc Quinebaug Valley -687 Cook Hill Rd., Danielson

October 25 -6:30pm-8:00pm -ARI of Connecticut, Inc. -Stamford -174 Richmond Hill Ave.

November 1 -6:00pm-7:30pm -The Arc of Meriden Wallingford – 200 Research Pkwy, Meriden

November 15 -6:00pm-7:30pm -Southington Highschool -420 Pleasant St., Southington

These workshops are free of charge but you must RSVP at thearcct@gmail.com.

The Arc Connecticut 2016 Workshop Series: Housing Alternatives
2016-10-05 18:00 - 2016-11-09 20:00 | CT
The Arc Connecticut 2016 Fall Workshop Series
All are welcome! Please share!

Housing Alternatives:

How to create supportive, independent living arrangements for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This workshop is designed to help families who are waiting for services learn about alternatives to DDS funded supports. Families will receive information on how to create housing opportunities, about a new Medicaid option called Community First Choice, how to self-direct a budget, hire your own staff and start creating a full life for your family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities – NOW! (Click here for a printable flyer.)

Dates & Locations
*****Each week the workshop is the same, it’s just at a different location.*****

October 12th –6:00pm-8:00pm -STAR, Inc. -182 Wolfpit Avenue, Norwalk

October 19th –6:00pm-8:00pm -SARAH Inc. -Guilford Community Center -32 Church Street, Guilford

October 26th –6:00pm-8:00pm -The Arc of Farmington Valley/FAVARH -225 Commerce Drive, Canton

November 2 –6:00pm-8:00pm -MARC Community Resources -199 Shunpike- Cromwell

November 9th –6:00pm-8:00pm -Arc of Quinebaug Valley -687 Cook Hill Road, Danielson

These workshops are free of charge but you must RSVP at melissa.marshall@snet.net.

“The Myths and Misconceptions of Down Syndrome”
2015-12-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Yale New Haven Health Institute for Excellence, 300 George Street, New Haven
Forever 21
Presents
“The Myths and Misconceptions of Down Syndrome”
Guest speaker: Kathleen Whitbread from Saint Joseph’s College
Monday: December 7, 2015
6:00 pm
300 George Street New Haven
Yale New Haven Health Institute for Excellence
Room 155
For more info: (203) 687-0479
(203) 362-8219
“You are never alone”

DDS West Region Regional Advisory & Planning Council Public Meeting
2015-11-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Ella Grasso Center
DDS Regional Advisory and Planning Council (RAC) Meetings

These meetings take place in every region six times a year. Their purpose is to advise Regional Directors on the needs of persons with intellectual disability within the region. They are open the the public and attended by Regional Directors. Families and self-advocates who receive DDS services are strongly encouraged to attend. Many families have found these meetings to be helpful in obtaining information and for opening the lines of communication between Regional Directors and families.

DDS South Region Regional Advisory & Planning Council Public Meeting
2015-11-18 18:00 - 21:00, 2015-09-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, CT, United States

DDS North Region Regional Advisory & Planning Council Public Meeting
2015-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Regional Office East Hartford 3rd Floor

DDS North Region Regional Advisory & Planning Council Public Meeting
2015-10-21 18:00 - 20:00, 2015-09-16 18:00 - 20:00 | CT

DDS West Region Regional Advisory & Planning Council Public Meeting
2015-09-17 16:00 - 19:00 | CT

Three Day Institute on Educating Children with Down Syndrome in Inclusive Settings
2015-08-11 - 2015-08-13 | CT
This series of 3-hour workshops is geared to prepare professionals and families to meet
the needs of children with Down syndrome in inclusive settings. Individual workshops
address programming for early intervention, pre-school aged, elementary aged and middle/
high school programming. Two additional workshops address communication and the
functional assessment process and developing a positive behavior support plan. Held at: Liu Post – Humanities Bldg., Room 119 **You can attend one or more sessions**

**Group Rates are Available**
Individual sessions are $45.00
TWO sessions: cost is reduced to 75.00
FOUR sessions: cost is reduced to 125.00
SIX sessions: cost is reduced to 175.00

Caleb's Quest Buddy Walk Team Fundraiser @ Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt
2015-08-10 18:00 - 21:00 | Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt, 1500 Pleasant Valley Road, Manchester, CT, United States
Caleb’s Quest Buddy Walk Team with be holding their first fundraiser for the “2015 Buddy Walk” at Sweet Frog in Manchester. Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress will receive 10% of all sales.

2015 Annual Summer Picnic
2015-07-25 11:00 - 15:00 | Camp Harkness, 301 Great Neck Rd (Rte 213), Waterford, CT, CT, United States
This event is a benefit of membership in the CDSC! Members may bring any number of family members, but prior registration is required. Email info@ctdownsyndrome.org for the online registration link.

2014 CDSC Annual Convention
2014-11-08 | Water’s Edge Resort, 1525 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook, 06498

2014 CDSC Buddy Walk
2014-09-27 00:00 - 15:00 | Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT, 06443
An Afternoon of Family Fun to Raise Awareness of Down Syndrome!
DJ — Bouncy Houses — Arcade Games — Valentine the Clown — Mad Science — Premier Photo Booth

Click Here to Register as an Individual or a Team, or Make a Donation Today!
A team of five or more — $100 (includes two official t-shirts)
Individual Walker — $25 (includes one official t-shirt)
Virtual Walker (I can’t be there that day, but I want to support the CDSC!) — $10
The Buddy Walk® kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and promotes acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Nearly 300 walks around the world raise money to benefit local and national service and advocacy programs.
In Connecticut, we support and educate new parents of babies with Down syndrome through our First Call program, we help fund medical clinics at St. Raphael’s and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and we educate about best practices in education, medicine and therapeutic intervention.

Rock Cats Baseball
2014-08-17 13:35 - 17:00 | CT
A CDSC Members’ Event!
Join the CDSC for a Rock Cats baseball game in New Britain

Sunday, August 17th, 1:35 pm

Kids get to run the bases after the game!

For paid members, first four tickets free, $3.00 per ticket for each additional ticket. No limit on the number of tickets you can purchase. One Fun Zone wristband per family; additional bands can be purchased for $5.00 each. The Fun Zone is open for an hour before the game.

Register and/or purchase tickets here.

Last day to purchase is August 10th.

We will be seated together in the general admissions section.

Standard parking fee is $5/car, with some premium $7 spots available. The Rock Cats recommend early arrival! Driving directions and more detailed information regarding parking available here.
