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Photo of the Week
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for more photos - gallery
send new photos to
photos@usod.org
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Join Our List
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USOD
Board of Directors |
Casey
Atkinson
David J. Bruening
Allan Buzzelli
Renee Chappell
Denise Cirino
Sandy Donahoe
Scott Eitman
Sue Groszek
Debbie Marks
Katherine E. Schubert
Lisa G. Trifiletti
Ken Vinikoff
Brian J. Weiss, DPM
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DownsEd Conference Cleveland- Registration is Open
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 November 3,4 & 5, 2010
Registration is now open for the DownsEd International to be held in Cleveland. Register early and ensure your spot for this world class conference. There are limited slots for each track.
The Down Syndrome Education Conferences offer high quality,
evidence-based guidance
and information for professionals and families and are offered
at locations around
the world.
These unique events cover motor, cognitive, social, language,
literacy and numeracy
development from birth, presenting up-to-date overviews of
current knowledge and
illustrating evidence-based, effective teaching techniques and
approaches for people
with Down syndrome.
The DownsEd Conference Cleveland 2010
provides the following tracks:
Two Day
'In Depth' Tracks -
November 3-4, 2010: 'In
Depth' Track - Early Years (Birth-5 Years) 'In
Depth' Track -
Elementary / Childhood Years
'In
Depth' Track - Speech and Language Professionals One Day 'Essentials'
Tracks -
November 5, 2010: 'Essentials'
Track - Early Years (Birth-5 Years) 'Essentials'
Track -
Elementary / Childhood Years
'Essentials'
Track -
High School / Adolescence Years
Conference Brochure website registration
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Parent Speaker Series - Waiver & Benefits Workshop
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 Tuesday, May 11 7:00 pm
Navigating the maze of governmental programs can be confusing and
intimidating. Jeffrey Mackey, division manager for community Medicaid
services for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities,
will present an overview of the Ohio Medicaid Waiver program and other
governmental supports. This interactive session will provide attendees
with important information regarding how to locate and access services
for children and adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities and
why it is important to place loved ones on the current Waiver waiting
list if you have not done so already.
Ohio Medicaid Waivers are programs offered through the Ohio
Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), the Ohio Department of
Developmental Disabilities (DODD), and the Ohio Department of Aging. A
Medicaid Waiver is money available to both children and adults which can
pay for additional services for people with developmental disabilities.
Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center Community Conference Room B 5001 Rockside Road Independence, OH 44131 please rsvp to usod office map quest
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Over 200 Apps for iTouch & iPhone
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iTouch/iPhone Applications for Special
Education
View a great list of over 200 applications you can
use to promote learning for students with exceptional learning needs. click here
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We Need Water Station Volunteers
May 16, 2010
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Come out to cheer & celebrate with Team USOD at the Rite Aid Marathon this Sunday in Downtown Cleveland. We are assigned water station #3 (the 4.5 mile mark) and need a few more volunteers to join us bright & early at 6:45 am. Any ages.... please contact the USOD office at 216.464.8763 or email so we can get your name & tshirt size.
To Date Team USOD has raised $555, please consider donating and supporting the team! 2010 Team USOD Rite Aid
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Monica & David - Tribeca Film Festival Winner
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 New Documentary Alexandra Codina's sensitive and moving documentary tracks a year in the
life of Monica and David, two adults with Down's syndrome who get
married, move in with Monica's mother and stepfather and deal with the
inevitable question - namely, what will happen when their parents are
gone? more info
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Mom's Night Out - Medina & Valley View
Take Some Time To Meet Other Great Moms
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 Medina, Thursday 5/13 7pmGrab a bite at Chipotle and bring it next door to Starbucks for coffee,
conversation, and camaraderie on the second Thursday of each month. Our
group has been going strong for over three years and we welcome new
members to join us for fun and friendship!
Coffee on the USOD!
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 899 N. Court Street, Medina, Starbucks, 897 N. Court Street, Medina
rsvp to Jamie at 330-220-1045
Valley View, Friday 5/21 7pmIt's YOU time! Join us the third Friday of each month as we wind down
the week at Yours Truly sharing stories, smiles, and appetizers
courtesy of USOD! Give yourself a break from cooking and save room for
dinner, too. We know it can be a little uncomfortable to meet new people. Feel free
to bring a friend for support. We want you to come...and to come back! Hope to see you there! Yours Truly Restaurant Appetizer on the USOD8111 Rockside Rd. Valley View, OH - map questrsvp to laura@usod.org |
Ohio Down Syndrome Advocacy Network Day in
Columbus - Tuesday, May 19, 2010
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 Contact the USOD office for more information.
Pictures from the 2009 ODAN Day in Columbus - photos |
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Shining Diamonds Parent Group - New Location
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 Tuesday, May 18, 7:00 pmWe invite you to join other parents, grandparents, and caregivers of
children and adults with Down syndrome and an alphabet soup of complex
needs. While each multi-facted shining diamond is unique, supporting
our loved one has led us to a common place. We have much to teach each
other!
Only by talking to each other, comparing notes,
and laughing are we able to help our carefully sculpted
diamonds truly shine and show off their "bling". free
Appetizers on the USOD! This month's topic:
Strategies for Difficult Behaviors
***New Location*** Mulligans Pub &
Grille 6131 Highland Rd. Highland
Heights, Ohio 44143 - mapquestContact: RSVP
to Sue Groszek at 440-552-9503 or
suegroszek@roadrunner.com |
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Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology & Transition Planning
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 Planned Transitions are Smooth Transitions!Brought to you by The Family Center on Technology and Disability
55-page resource guide - click here.
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Transitioning to Preschool Workshop
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 Wed., May 19 6:30 pm
This workshop is for you if your child will be heading to
preschool and is currently enrolled in an Early Intervention
program, or, you have concerns about his or her development. Learn more about: - What preschool children with disabilities are
entitled to by law
- Steps to take in making the transition from
Early Intervention to preschool
- Steps to take if your child is not enrolled in Early
Intervention and you have concerns about his or her development
- Preschool program options and what to look for
when choosing a preschool
- Tips for making a successful transition
Wednesday,
May 19, 2010
6:30-8:30 pm Cuyahoga Valley Career Center,8001
Brecksville Road, Room 696 (second floor), Brecksville 44141
$10.00
Rsvp a must, please call Linda Kresnye at 216-229-5757, Ext.
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USOD is Looking for Interns for this Summer!
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 Come Join Our TeamThe Up Side of Downs student interns will participate and learn about many of
the aspects of the USOD including our programs, administrative and event
coordinating efforts. Interns will work closely with the organization's staff to
learn how the USOD helps support the Northeast Ohio community in numerous
areas of education, advocacy, and family support. For more information
about the Up Side of Downs, visit our website at www.usod.org
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary duties will include completing short term and long term projects under
the close supervision of different employees at the USOD and on days of
events. Responsibilities include assistance with learning programs, events, and
general office duties.
TRAINING OUTLINE
All student interns will be instructed in the methods behind all activities as
well as the reasoning for them in the larger context of the organization as
well as within the industry. Interns will gain further skills in office
administration and event coordination.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Candidates preferably should be currently pursuing a bachelors degree in
Nonprofit (or Business, Public Relations, or Marketing). Student interns are encouraged to be able to receive school credit
for this internship, and be able to submit a document from the
school in order to begin the internship program. All candidates must be
available to work a 20 hour work week (beginning at the end of July) through
August. This is a non-paid internship. Qualified applicants should have excellent
communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Qualified applicants
may submit cover letter and resume to robin@usod.org
by May 15, 2010.
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The 2010 Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment
Fund Application Is Now Available
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 The Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund
offers financial assistance to young adults (18+) with Down syndromewho wish
to continue to enrich their lives by enrolling in post secondary programs or
taking enrichment classes that will help them to enrich life through
employment, independent living skills, life skills or another way. To
date, over thirty students have received grants from NDSS to help cover the
costs of pursuing their post secondary education and enrichment goals.
Visit www.ndss.org to
download the application, or contact Vanessa Quick at vquick@ndss.org or 800-221-4602 with any
questions.
NEW- NDSS May E-Newsletter
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Pre-Order the Book & a Donation is Made to USOD~ thanks
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| I'm Down with You
by Jagatjoti S. Khalsa with Darren Setter
This
beautiful book which is a photographic portraiture book and documentary
focusing on the
Down syndrome community. Pre-order your signed copy for a special
pre-order price of $19.95 (regularly $29.95) & USOD gets a $5
donation for each copy sold (enter our name at checkout please.)
Go
to http://theotherpersonisyou.org/book.html
Here is a you tube preview of the documentary to be released.
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New Summer Camp For Kids With Down syndrome
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 Week of August 2-6, 2010
We are so excited about a wonderful full-day camp being offered especially for kids with Down syndrome by Bluestreak Camps which will be held on the Ursuline Campus. Blue Streak Summer Camps, Inc. was established in 1985 as a
co-educational, non-competitive sports summer day camp. Since that time
our goal has always remained to provide a wide variety of athletic
camps, for both children and adults, in a wholesome environment; camps
which are safe, fun, and as personal as possible. At Blue Streak Camps,
the focus continues to be on sportsmanship, fair-play, learning, and
skill improvement - not on winning and losing. Call for information today, there are limited slots due to the high camper to staff ratio. Cost is $200.
Please contact Tim or 440-287-7644.
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Helping Hand Grants Available
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The NAA-NEO Helping Hand Program provides families with financial assistance in the amount of $300for respite care, a variety of therapy services, camp, as well as necessary medical testing and treatments, including biomedical treatments for their dependent(s), child, or children with autism. more details
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My New School - A Workbook to Help Students Transition to a New School
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 Melissa TrautmanEven the slightest change in
routine can be overwhelming for students with autism spectrum disorders, so
imagine how difficult it must be for them to move to a new school. Whether the
move is a typical transition between grade levels, a family move, or for some
other reason, it is a process that for many students creates worry and anxiety.
In
her workbook, My New School: A Workbook to
Help Students Transition to a New School, author Melissa Trautman speaks
directly to students in a very natural and supportive voice. The book takes an
honest and practical approach by first acknowledging the difficulty of moving
to a new school and then giving students tools to make the transition easier.
Through hands-on activities likechecklists and to-do lists, Trautman empowers
students to reduce the fear they associate with transferring to a new school. My
New School is intended for students in upper elementary, middle school and
high school. more info
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USOD Mission
To provide support, education, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome, their families and communities.
Vision
The Up Side of Downs is committed to building a community where
people with Down syndrome are independent and have the opportunity to
reach their fullest potential.
History
In the early 1980's, a handful of parents whose children had Down
syndrome began to meet informally over coffee for socialization and
support. Nearly thirty years later, with the help of a lot of coffee
& caffeine, their vision and hard work has taken the Up Side of
Downs from a grassroots parent movement to a staffed nonprofit
organization joining over 800 families throughout Northeast Ohio.
We invite you to connect with our with our support community to join us at one of our many programs & services, do research in our comprehensive resource directory, join our on-line family support network, enjoy our scrapbook photo gallery and so much more.
Contact the Up Side of Downs of Greater Cleveland.
The Up Side of Downs of Greater Cleveland
23230 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 640
Cleveland, OH 44122
phone
216.464.USOD (8763)
fax 888.708.USOD (8763)
e-mail
info@usod.org
web www.usod.org
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