Volume 1 Issue 2 | February 2020
Second Annual Jamison Crowder All-Star Clinic
Spots are filling up fast!
NCDSA is pleased to partner with NDSS and Duke Football to bring you the second annual Jamison Crownder All-Star Clinic at Pascal Field House on Duke's Campus on Saturday, April 25th. Register early to avoid missing this great opportunity to run drills with NFL and Duke players. The clinic will be followed by lunch and an autograph photo session. We had a overwhelming response last year and are excited to see this annual event grow. Register early to reserve your space.

The Basics of NC ABLE Accounts
Tax-free Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts let people with disabilities save for their future without affecting their benefits such as SSI and Medicaid. ABLE accounts also let family and friends contribute to their savings as well. Learn the basics about NC ABLE accounts by viewing the following brief video.
Advocacy in Action

Rebecca Emerson, Lt. Col. US Army, reports about two military wives who testified before a recent House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel about the lack of support for military families of children with special needs.

Read the latest NCDSA Blog and the accompanying article to learn how you can support our military families through your advocacy in action.


Photo Credit: Military Families Magazine
Long wait lists and lack of services for North Carolina residents

A NC judge has ruled in favor of the plaintiff in the case Samantha R., et al. v. North Carolina, et. al . The Court found that people with disabilities in NC have been both segregated from the community and forced to live in institutions. It is important to understand, despite how well people with disabilities may be doing, without supports and services, including those provided by family members - institutionalization is a real risk.

In addition, the NC Innovations Waiver and B(3)/State-Funded Services, that are supposed to provide Home and Community Based Services, are underfunded and have extensive wait lists. Numerous stakeholders from across the state are taking action to demand change. Your participation in advocacy is crucial to creating this change .

Volunteer Spotlight
Savanah Wimberley has been volunteering with the NCDSA for over a year. Savanah assists in the NCDSA office several times a month. You can usually find her working to assemble important information packets, whether for legislators or healthcare professionals. In addition, she is happy to join us in the community representing NCDSA at local events or talking with legislators at the North Carolina General Assembly. She always keeps things lively in the office as we anticipate her arrival and her surprise hair color of the week.

Thank you Savanah!!!
Save the Date
You don't want to miss this opportunity to play on the 18 hole championship course at Brier Creek Country Club. Registration for the 3rd Annual Tee Up for Down Syndrome Golf Classic opens on March 16th. Mark your calendar now to sign up your foursome!


Get Ready to Rock your Socks
March 21st, World Down Syndrome Day, will be here before you know it. NCDSA is working on several activities and opportunities for you to celebrate and spread awareness. Check your inbox the week of March 1st for WDSD events.
Monthly Research Focus
Family Management of Sleep Problems in Children with Down Syndrome
 
If you have a child with Down syndrome (6 months to 6 years of age), you are invited to participate in a study about family management of sleep problems in children with Down syndrome being conducted by Dr. Marcia Van Riper and her colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Participation in the study involves completing a survey (online or hard copy) - your child with Down syndrome does not need to have sleep problems. 
 
Dr. Van Riper and her colleagues are interested in learning about sleep habits in children with Down syndrome and how sleep problems are managed by families. They are also interested in understanding the relationship between sleep habits and quality of life in families of children with Down syndrome. In addition, they are interested in identifying factors that influence the ability of families of children with Down syndrome to manage sleep problems. 
 
Please email Dr. Van Riper to learn more about the study - vanriper@email.unc.edu .

Direct links to the survey based on the age of your child with Down syndrome:
 
 

2020 SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY
A free resource guide for families with children who have special needs from the Family Support Network - UNC School of Social Work.

Healthcare & Direct Service Provider Training
March 19-20, 2020
The Education Center
Eastern AHEC
Greenville
The Arc North Carolina
March 13, 2020
Benton Convention Center
Winston-Salem
Keep up to date throughout the month - connect with NCDSA
Upcoming Events


February 24th: Dads' Nigh Out Fullsteam Brewery (Durham) 6:00 p.m.

February 29th: Hispanic Social at Gigi's Playhouse (Raleigh) 12:00 p.m.

March 9th: Moms' Night Out Mellow Mushroom (Wake Forest) 6:30 p.m.

March 19th: Moms' Night Out Chapman's Food & Spirits (Southern Pines) 6:00 p.m.

March 21st: World Down Syndrome Day

March 28th: Eastern NC Buddy Walk (Greenville) 1:30 p.m.

April 3rd: Moms' Night Out La Ribera Mexican Restuarant (Greenville) 6:30 p.m.

April 25th: Jamison Crowder NDSS All-Star Clinic (Durham) 10:00 a.m.

May 11th: Tee Up for Down Syndrome Golf Classic (Raleigh) 9:00 a.m.

NCDSA Board of Directors Meetings
Third Monday of the month | 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Your generosity helps sustain NCDSA throughout the year as we embrace new families with welcome baby bags and provide new and expectant mothers and healthcare providers with up-to-date and accurate information about Down syndrome. Whether it is a box of copier paper or a box of diapers, every item helps NCDSA reach its goal of serving the North Carolina Down syndrome community.