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Happy January Birthday to...
Aidan Freel
1/1/2006
Austin Gigax
1/2/1999
Nicole Economides
1/5/1976
Taylor Thomas
1/8/2000
Elyse DeMarinis
1/17/1991
Sawyer Crouse
1/19/2006
Anthony Miller
1/22/2007
Hannah Youngblood
1/22/2004 Gabby Pushkar
1/31/2006
Happy February Birthday to...
Stacey Clark
2/16/1988
Tom Ohlin
2/13/1972
Israel Robinson
2/15/2009
Keagan Patterson
2/19/2008
Dylan Lee
2/20/2007
Autumn DelMonaco
2/23/2000
Lizzie Poinski
2/24/2000
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It's TAX time!
Don't forget to visit H & R Block to file your taxes.
As a part of the H & R Block Non-profit referral program, DSAV will receive $25 for every new client that uses H & R Block to prepare their taxes.
Click here for DSAV referral form
Print the referral form and take it to your local H & R Block office and help DSAV raise some funds. |
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Thank You!
Best Buy-Boardman
Northeast Ohio Orthopedics
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BUDDY WALK OF THE VALLEY 2010
We have some new and exciting plans for this year.
Stop by the DSAV Center for Success on March 20th between noon and 2:00 to pick up Buddy Walk materials, find out how to create your own Buddy Walk TEAM web page and see how you can help. |
Don't forget, we still recylce ink cartidges, copier toners and cell phones.
If you would like a collection box or have items for us, contact us. |
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The DSAV Center for Success is participating in the Giant Eagle Apples for the Student program. Giant eagle provides the opportunity for us to get FREE computer and educational related equipment into our Center.
Register at www.gianteagle.com or 1-800-474-4777
* Enter our ID# 5453
* Shop with a Giant Eagle Advantage Card
Each scan of a Giant Eagle Advantage Card will help our DSAV earn FREE equipment through March 19,2010. |
Do you GOODSEARCH, Do you GOODSHOP?
By using Goodsearch as your web search engine, and shopping on line through GoodShop, you can support DSAV year-round.
Use the Goodsearch.com search engine for web searches or shopping and DSAV gets a percentage of the sale or a penny per search.
Click the GoodSearch box above, make sure your charity choice is the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley or DSAV and start searching and shopping! Thank you!
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 In the News... |
| DSAV member, Nikolas Mazzella was featured in the Fairhaven newsletter.
Way to go Mazzella family! |
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Help with IEP's
Disabilityscoop has a video that walks you through an IEP meeting.
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Is it Dysgraphia?
Do you have a child who has difficulty with spelling, handwriting, or written expression? Does your child have dsylexia or other oral language problems. Could dysgraphia be part of the problem?
Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects how children acquire written language and use it to express their thoughts.
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| A new approach to promoting the employment of those with disabilities:
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Stay warm this winter sporting DSAVwear!
E-mail or call the office 330-726-3728 to place your order. Limited sizes available!
Coming Soon...New DSAVwear for the warm weather! | |
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A big thank you to Attorney Judith Saltzman for the informative lecture Developments in Special Education on Saturday the 30th at the Center for Success. With the constant changes to the laws, we are grateful for the clarification and direction as families navigate through the system.
SAVE THE DATE! Come celebrate World Down Syndrome Day at the DSAV Center for Success. We will be celebrating a day early on Saturday, March 20th from 10am until 1pm. Read more below. Buddy Walk® of the Valley 2010 will be held Saturday, August 14th at the Shops at Boardman Park. We look forward to another great walk and some fun and exciting additions for your team building and enjoyment that day. Stop by the DSAV Center for Success on March 20th between noon and 2:00 to pick up materials, find out how to set up your very own TEAM web page and see how you can be invovled!
~Kelly |
Do you LOVE us?
Write about it and we might win some money!
Intuit has developed a grant program titled "Love A Local Business", that rewards small businesses with grants up to $35,000. The winners are determined based on the feedback and praise left by supporters like you.
- Simply click on the photo above
- In the Love a Business Box type in: Down Syndrome Association of the Valley or our zip "44512"
- In your own words, say why you love DSAV.
Remember, the judges determine the winners based on the comments. Be eloquent, be persuasive, BRAG on us!
We would love to win the $35,000 grand prize and be able to start a DSAV social enterprise for individuals with Down syndrome right here in the Valley! But hey, we'll take the smaller prizes, too!
We'll keep you posted on how we do and thanks for sharing why you love us!
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DSAV JAM (Just About Moms)
 Thursday, February 11th Austintown Panera
6:00pm - 7:30pm
5503 Mahoning Avenue
Youngstown, OH 44515 Map
The coffee (or beverage of your choice) is on DSAV!
Remember, this is for moms only! No schedule, no agenda, no pressure!
We will discuss locations for future gatherings in 2010 and have the opportunity to chat.
Come out and enjoy the evening with other DSAV moms. |
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 DSAV Story Time
Saturday, February 13th
DSAV Center for Success
11:00am - Noon
This month's book selections:
Join us again this month for another great interactive story time.
Snacks provided.
All ages welcome, parent must be present. |
Family Grants |
We are happy to open the DSAV Family Grant program up again for the first quarter of 2010.
DSAV families may apply for up to $250 in grant funds for inclusive programs, medical or therapeutic needs or to attend Ds related conferences or programs.
Deadline is March 15th. Applications will be reviewed by an independent grant committee. Approval letters and checks made out to the provider will be mailed within 30 days following the deadline.
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Literacy Materials Update |
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LAMP - The Literacy, Arts and Math Program offers materials and resources for parents and educators to use in the home, the classroom or at the Center for Success ®.
LAMP "shines a light" on strategic programs and systems that suit the specific needs of those with Ds.
The first learning level to be implemented was the See and Learn Language and Reading Program developed by Down Syndrome Education International.
Planned additions to the LAMP program include See and Learn Memory, See and Learn Speech, See and Learn Numbers, Numicon math program.
Contact Michele if you are interested in learning more about Literacy programs or obtaining a copy of the See and Learn Language and Reading Program for home use.
Resources are provided free of charge to DSAV members and we ask that they be returned once the area of skill is mastered or you no longer need them. The DSAV will gladly provide one set or copy of the program/resource to schools and they are free to duplicate as needed. |
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Come celebrate the joys and accomplishments of our children as DSAV member Sharon Bettura opens the days events by sharing some of the 23 year journey of inclusion with her son Joseph. Sharon will be followed by our Keynote Speaker, attorney Amanda Buzo of Hhickman-Lowder in Cleveland who will speak on Estate Planning and Special Needs trusts.
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 The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and the Down Syndrome Center at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh are conducting a reserach study of adults (30+) with Down syndrome.
Please call Sheila Cannon, project coordinator, at the Down Syndrome Center at Children's Hospital (412) 692-7963 or Sarah Clayton at UPMC (412) 235-5485 if you would like additional information. |
 Finding clothing that is stylish and fits well is often difficult for individuals with Down syndrome. Our friends at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati (DSAGC) are conducting a clothing survey.
Your responses are very important to their research effort to understand the clothing needs of persons with Down syndrome.
The results will remain confidential, however they will use the information received to make decisions for future endeavors.
Click here to participate in the survey |
Free Parent Transition Training
The Ohio Department of Education's Office for Exceptional Children (OEC), in collaboration with the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD), will present
"Planning for the Transition from School to Adult Life".
March 9, 2009
10am - 1pm
SST5 conference room in Niles
Developed by John Magee and Sue Beck, this training is designed for parents and will overview the transition process under IDEA.
Participants will:
- Engage in activities and discussion around the planning process necessary to develop transition plans that are a part of a student's IEP
- Know how to proceed with their own child's transition development
- Know what questions to ask about the transition process
- Know the steps necessary to move their student from the academic environment into independent adult life.
Parents of children with disabilities and educators are invited and encouraged to register here. . |
The PEAL Center's Fourth Annual Inclusive Education Conference
Building Communities of Peace, Harmony and Respect
WHEN: March 16 and 17, 2009
WHERE: Four Points by Sheraton Pittsburgh North, Cranberry Township, PA
Visit the PEAL Center website for great information in helping families of children with disabilities and special needs in Pennsylvania. |
A new Book sharing the Good News about Down syndrome and the story of a famliy from Pittsburgh is published.
"Making a Case for Life - A New Definition of Perfection"
from the book:
"Finally, we will meet six-year-old Chloe Kondrich, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native whose father, Kurt, is a tireless advocate for individuals with Down syndrome and their right to full inclusion in society. Chloe's delightful personality has captivated everyone around her, and as we will see, her kindness has already touched so many lives that it is virtually impossible to support any argument suggesting that the world would be a better place if she had never been born."
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Our vision is for people with Down syndrome to be active participants in a fully inclusive society.
Our Mission is to provide support, advocacy resources, education and opportunity for those with Down syndrome and their families.
Our Core Values
The DSAV fosters a climate which encourages independence, support, advocacy and opportunity for all individuals with Down syndrome.
We strive to represent the needs of people with Down syndrome and their families to improve quality of life, preserve rights and advance their interests thereby enhancing their status as citizens and enabling maximum independence and participation in the community.
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