Causes: Human Service Organizations, Human Services
Mission: DSACF is the leading voice for individuals with Down syndrome and its mission is to offer hope, encouragement and acceptance through advocacy, education and awareness so that each may realize their potential as members of our community.
Geographic areas served: Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, Lake, Polk, and Brevard counties
Programs: Events & advocacy 1.Florida down syndrome conference - 211 attendees with over 150 families. Help to educate families, professionals, therapists, teachers, and others and persons with down syndrome. Conference included 18 topics that cover the lifespan of needs for individuals with down syndrome. Attendees come from florida, the united states and internationally. Dsacf received donated space and graphic design services for this conference valued at 10,000 (this revenue is not included for 990 purposes). 2.Low down on law day - twice a year dsacf helps to present a program on law for people with disabilities that are turning 18.Utilizing the expertise of attorneys, judges and experts in the field, we educate families that have a loved one with down syndrome and other disabilities on options, opportunities, and how to navigate governmental requirements. Families get information packets and get their questions answered by the experts. We offer this free program to approximately 100 people twice a year to empower them with everything that they need to do that could otherwise cost them thousands. 3.Special clinic for special kids - free annual medical clinic for children with down syndrome to meet with 35+ specialists. This unique one day clinic serves approximately 90 families. Dsacf received donated medical volunteer services valued at 95,842 (this revenue is not included for 990 purposes). 4.Step up for down syndrome buddy walk - this family fun festival celebrates individuals with down syndrome. It includes a 1 mile fun walk, bounce houses, carnival style rides, games, face painting, live entertainment/dance, food, a resource tent and lots of fun over 6,000 families, friends and community partners attended this event that provides community awareness, family resources and entertainment for all. The walk helps families that have a loved one with down syndrome get connected to others while providing fun for their family members of all ages. Many say the buddy walk is the highlight of the year for their family 5.Universal family fun day at universal studios - dsacf arranges, manages, and facilitates a day of fun at universal studios. Volunteers take families on vip tours at the theme park, letting them enjoy 2 parks, characters, and special meet and greets throughout the day.
new parents & infants / young children 1.New parent packages - dsacf provides new parents information, resources, and gifts that we deliver to the hospital or send to the home to offer hope and encouragement. We delivered over 40 new parent packages throughout the year. 2.New family celebrations - we invite 30-40 people each quarter that have babies under the age of 2 to get families with new babies with down syndrome connected, informed, and inspired. We have 3-4 mentor families at each inspiring event that share their journey with down syndrome and are able to introduce the new families to children that are older and let them ask questions and get their questions answered. 3.Baby basics occupational therapy series - in the spring and fall we have an occupational therapist do a 4 week series to educate parents of babies and toddlers about sensory integration, fine motor skills, and also teach them about propoceptive, vestibular, kinesthetic and other systems of the body that integrate together to help all children. 4.Potty training workshop and other educational workshops - dsacf hosts an annual potty training workshop with over 75 attending to learn applied behavorial analysis methods for potty training. We also host more than 5 other workshops on multiple topics that help empower families and educate them on what is important to them. 5.Pre-school readiness camp - in collaboration with rollins college early childhood education (ece), this program uses donated facilites at rollins ece program and trained teachers for their school to facilitate this award winning program. This 3 week summer camp teaches the children aged 3,4 and 5 skills tht will help them have success in preschool and elementary school. The children learn skills like transitioning, following class rules, following schedules, making friends, and more. It includes art, physical fitness time at the playground, and academic skills. Open to children with down syndrome and their same aged siblings, it is an inclusive and authentic preschool experience. 6.Therapy scholarships - we gave scholarships and awards of 8,000 in therapy scholarships to children aged 0-3 for occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy.
children / teens / adults 1.Teen social skills series - throughout the year dsacf hosts several series of social skills classes. Designed for teens and facilitated by a licensed social worker with expertise in intellectual disabilites, these series are some of the most popular programs. The teens make friends, discuss their highs and lows, and learn skills to become more social. The series ends with a pizza party and social. 2.Project a+ literacy - weekly tutoring sessions offered free of charge to teach reading skills and improve reading for adults with down syndrome. Offered free of cost. 3.Employability workshop for self-advocates - 4-6 week series that gives self-advocates many soft skills for employment including interviewing techniques, dress for success, social skills for the workplace, timeliness, dependability, and more at completion of this program the participant will be better equiped to get a job and to have the skills to maintain the position. 4.Buddy up tennis - these 10 fitness and wellness session series teach the game of tennis and so much more participants gain life skills, make friends, learn a new game, and have fun. Coaches give tennis skills training and buddy volunteers are matched up with the self-advocate athletes for a rewarding, enriching experience for all.
Mission: DSACF is the leading voice for individuals with Down syndrome and its mission is to offer hope, encouragement and acceptance through advocacy, education and awareness so that each may realize their potential as members of our community.
Geographic areas served: Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, Lake, Polk, and Brevard counties
Programs: Events & advocacy 1.Florida down syndrome conference - 211 attendees with over 150 families. Help to educate families, professionals, therapists, teachers, and others and persons with down syndrome. Conference included 18 topics that cover the lifespan of needs for individuals with down syndrome. Attendees come from florida, the united states and internationally. Dsacf received donated space and graphic design services for this conference valued at 10,000 (this revenue is not included for 990 purposes). 2.Low down on law day - twice a year dsacf helps to present a program on law for people with disabilities that are turning 18.Utilizing the expertise of attorneys, judges and experts in the field, we educate families that have a loved one with down syndrome and other disabilities on options, opportunities, and how to navigate governmental requirements. Families get information packets and get their questions answered by the experts. We offer this free program to approximately 100 people twice a year to empower them with everything that they need to do that could otherwise cost them thousands. 3.Special clinic for special kids - free annual medical clinic for children with down syndrome to meet with 35+ specialists. This unique one day clinic serves approximately 90 families. Dsacf received donated medical volunteer services valued at 95,842 (this revenue is not included for 990 purposes). 4.Step up for down syndrome buddy walk - this family fun festival celebrates individuals with down syndrome. It includes a 1 mile fun walk, bounce houses, carnival style rides, games, face painting, live entertainment/dance, food, a resource tent and lots of fun over 6,000 families, friends and community partners attended this event that provides community awareness, family resources and entertainment for all. The walk helps families that have a loved one with down syndrome get connected to others while providing fun for their family members of all ages. Many say the buddy walk is the highlight of the year for their family 5.Universal family fun day at universal studios - dsacf arranges, manages, and facilitates a day of fun at universal studios. Volunteers take families on vip tours at the theme park, letting them enjoy 2 parks, characters, and special meet and greets throughout the day.
new parents & infants / young children 1.New parent packages - dsacf provides new parents information, resources, and gifts that we deliver to the hospital or send to the home to offer hope and encouragement. We delivered over 40 new parent packages throughout the year. 2.New family celebrations - we invite 30-40 people each quarter that have babies under the age of 2 to get families with new babies with down syndrome connected, informed, and inspired. We have 3-4 mentor families at each inspiring event that share their journey with down syndrome and are able to introduce the new families to children that are older and let them ask questions and get their questions answered. 3.Baby basics occupational therapy series - in the spring and fall we have an occupational therapist do a 4 week series to educate parents of babies and toddlers about sensory integration, fine motor skills, and also teach them about propoceptive, vestibular, kinesthetic and other systems of the body that integrate together to help all children. 4.Potty training workshop and other educational workshops - dsacf hosts an annual potty training workshop with over 75 attending to learn applied behavorial analysis methods for potty training. We also host more than 5 other workshops on multiple topics that help empower families and educate them on what is important to them. 5.Pre-school readiness camp - in collaboration with rollins college early childhood education (ece), this program uses donated facilites at rollins ece program and trained teachers for their school to facilitate this award winning program. This 3 week summer camp teaches the children aged 3,4 and 5 skills tht will help them have success in preschool and elementary school. The children learn skills like transitioning, following class rules, following schedules, making friends, and more. It includes art, physical fitness time at the playground, and academic skills. Open to children with down syndrome and their same aged siblings, it is an inclusive and authentic preschool experience. 6.Therapy scholarships - we gave scholarships and awards of 8,000 in therapy scholarships to children aged 0-3 for occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy.
children / teens / adults 1.Teen social skills series - throughout the year dsacf hosts several series of social skills classes. Designed for teens and facilitated by a licensed social worker with expertise in intellectual disabilites, these series are some of the most popular programs. The teens make friends, discuss their highs and lows, and learn skills to become more social. The series ends with a pizza party and social. 2.Project a+ literacy - weekly tutoring sessions offered free of charge to teach reading skills and improve reading for adults with down syndrome. Offered free of cost. 3.Employability workshop for self-advocates - 4-6 week series that gives self-advocates many soft skills for employment including interviewing techniques, dress for success, social skills for the workplace, timeliness, dependability, and more at completion of this program the participant will be better equiped to get a job and to have the skills to maintain the position. 4.Buddy up tennis - these 10 fitness and wellness session series teach the game of tennis and so much more participants gain life skills, make friends, learn a new game, and have fun. Coaches give tennis skills training and buddy volunteers are matched up with the self-advocate athletes for a rewarding, enriching experience for all.
204 N. Wymore Road, Winter Park, FL 32789
407-478-5621
Human Services
Winter Park
