Your Monthly Update from NCDSA

Volume 2 Issue 1 | January 2021

Info and Registration

Parents of pre-school age children - get ready for your child's Transition to Kindergarten!

During this annual webinar series you will learn:

Parent's Rights
Creating a Vision
Creating a Successful Transition

You will participate in a round table discussion with educators and experienced parents. One on one coaching sessions are available to help prepare parents for this monumental milestone.

"Thank you for the NCDSA Transition to Kindergarten series and for the 1:1 assistance preparing us for Abby’s Kindergarten IEP meeting - it went smoothly. Abby will be fully included in a general education kindergarten classroom with a 1:1 aide. We are thrilled! Your guidance and support prepared us to ask the right questions, insist on the right people at her IEP meeting, and we ultimately ended up with the placement we wanted without having to fight for it." Abby's mom

FREE Registration

Calendar and Information

Registration for February Events

Virtual events require advanced registration to access Zoom links for attending.

Click here for more information!

Volunteer Spotlight

For the past couple of years, Stacy Strickland has been a driving force behind the Triangle Buddy Walk's success and fundraising. Stacy and his family has had the highest fundraising Buddy Walk team in 2019 and came in 2nd place in 2020. He is responsible for recruiting several new Buddy Walk sponsors. He volunteered at numerous Buddy Walk in a Box pick up events and coordinated a small in person Buddy Walk celebration in Johnston County. Father to five children, including Haven who has Down syndrome, he still has time to serve on the NCDSA Board of Directors. Thank you Stacy!

Want to make a difference at NCDSA - find out more...

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the latest

Twentyone Blog

Do you need a break? Some Respite? What is Respite? “Respite is a break for unpaid caregivers, who provide care for an individual of any age who needs help, care, or supervision due to a disability, chronic condition, or other special needs. Respite is intended to provide relief to the caregiver.”

First in Families NC (FIFNC) has been awarded limited, special funding to help family caregivers pay for respite care.

Who qualifies?

Any unpaid caregiver of an individual of any age, who lives in North Carolina, may apply for assistance.

Applicant Requirements:

Lives in one of North Carolinas 100 counties
Family income under $65k after taxes (flexible)
Not currently receiving respite through another source

To learn more about First In Families Respite Support, find your local Chapter or Program by searching the county you live in at: FIFNC

Monthly Research Focus

DS-Connect® is a powerful resource where people with Down syndrome and their families can:

Connect with researchers and health care providers.
Express interest in participating in certain clinical studies on Down syndrome, including studies of new medications and other treatments.
Take confidential health-related surveys. These surveys are aimed at better understanding of the health of people with Down syndrome across their lifespans.

What is DS-Connect®: The Down Syndrome Registry?

Support NCDSA

Why support the NCDSA?

2020 was an unprecedented year. Although many things have stopped or been suspended, babies with Down syndrome continue to be born. NCDSA supports new families during this challenging time with information, resources, and a way to combat isolation. Your tax-deductible donation allows NCDSA to continue to be an import lifeline.