Happy March
Birthday to...
Matty Timmerman
3/12/1995
Sarah Rice
3/2/1995
Christopher Hershberger
3/11/1994
Samuel Holecko
3/11/2002
Katie Hetrick
3/17/1992
Kimberly Powers
3/19/1997
Samantha Nemcik
3/20/2006
Nathan Alexander
3/23/2005
Meghan Doherty
3/23/1982
Peyton Vinci
3/24/2006 |
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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. |
Judy Campbell
April & Alex Baker & family
Mahoning Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities
Norma Conti
Best Buy - Boardman
Jeff Edwards
Joe Morella |
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. |
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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 search or shop on line?
By using Goodsearch as your web search engine, and shopping on line through GoodShop, you can support DSAV year-round.
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!
Just a few of the SHOPS that give % of sales to DSAV.
Amazon
Ebay
Gap
JCPenney
Kohl's
Old Navy
Target
Walmart
Walgreens
Travelocity
Staples
ToysRus
Expedia
PetsMart
LandsEnd
L.L. Bean
Barnes&Noble
Macy's
Williams-Sonoma
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DSAV and NDSS
Great Partners!
DSAV is proud to:
- be a part of the Buddy Walk conference planning committee
- speak at the upcoming Buddy Walk conference in Florida
- have Buddy Walk® of the Valley photos featured on the new site.
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Help with Challenging
Behaviors
NDSS hosted Dr. David Kuhn who presented "Understanding and Decreasing Challenging Behaviors."
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The Parent/Guardian Handbook
The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD)and other dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to produce a clear, thorough publication to assist parents and guardians of those with special needs on their journey from birth through adulthood.
These helpful booklets are available at the DSAV Center for Success®.
Please e-mail or call us if you would like a copy of this valuable tool. |
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Developments in Special Education
January 2010
Thank you Attorney Judith Saltzman.
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Snow days, cancellations, Story time, Valentine's day...and we're only half way through the month. I hope you are holding up well through the cold and snow. Rest assured, Spring is around the corner....somewhere!
Since we had to cancel our JAM session for February, we have re-scheduled to meet on Thursday, March 11th, at the Austintown Panera from 6:00 to 7:30. Hope you can join us.
Make plans to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) a day early with us. Our Parent Podium is open as Sharon Bettura shares the 23 year journey with her son Joseph. Sharon will be followed by our Keynote Speaker, Attorney Amanda Buzo of Hickman-Lowder with an informative Estate Planning lecture. Please Register Here.
Also, it's time to start talking "Buddy Walk"! We will have forms and info. to distribute on March 20th. Stop by between noon and 2:00 to pick up what you need to make it the best Buddy Walk of the Valley yet!
Plans are underway for some great things at the DSAV Center for Success ®. We will soon be starting our LAMP learning sessions and we are making arrangements for a Reading seminar in early May.
Our FRIENDS program is about to begin. More on that soon.
Your input and help are always welcome. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming DSAV event.
~Kelly |
 Do you LOVE us?
Write about it and we might win some money!
Time is running out,
February is our last chance to win!
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, March 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, March 13th
DSAV Center for Success
® 11:00am - Noon
This month's book selections:
 
Join us 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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LAMP |
We are excited to begin the second phase of LAMP with the addition of LAMP learning sessions held the 4th Friday of every month at the DSAV Center for Success
® .
Utilizing the following resources:
- See & Learn Language
- Love & Learning Software
- Lakeshore Learning Books
- Down syndrome Foundation literacy materials
The LAMP learning sessions are ideal for preschool and elementary age children or older children with Ds who may struggle with reading. Parents, with or without their children, are welcome to stop in during these sessions to learn about, review and try the LAMP materials as well as explore other lending library resources at the DSAV Center for Success®.
Learning Sessions are open from 11:00am - 1:00pm
Upcoming Dates:
Friday, March 26th
Friday, April 23rd
Friday, May 28th
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. |
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~Come celebrate a day early~
Parent Podium - DSAV member Sharon Bettura opens the days events by sharing some of the 23 year journey of inclusion with her son Joseph.
Keynote Speaker - Attorney Amanda Buzo of Hickman-Lowder in Cleveland 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. |
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
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. |
Time to think SPRING!
DSAVwear Polo shirts in Red or Blue.
Perfect for golf season. 
Sm - XL - $15
XXL - $18
E-mail or call the office 330-726-3728 to place your order. Limited sizes available! | |
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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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