Acton Up With Downs Web site and home page

Remember the Date October 23rd 2010 Buddy Walk
Special Education Law and Advocacy Workshops
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to attend an Advocacy workshop very close to home, and it's free. The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disablities will help you become a strong advocate for children with disabilities in the public school system. August 9, 2010 – Ft. Walton Beach, Ramada Plaza Beach Resort, 1500 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE, 9 am – 4 pm. Acton Up with Downs members are forming carpools so make sure to call Noel @960-1944 if you plan on attending. A lawyer and an advocate from the Advocacy Center will team up to teach you how to be an equal participant in the IEP process. Training will focus on sections of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 and will include: Eligibility and Evaluation Universal Education (Inclusion) IEP and Advocacy Tips School Discipline Transition from High School to Post-school activities (work, school) Problem Solving (With a Question and Answer Session) To register go to http://www.fddc.org/registration or call 1-800-580-7801
DownsED Fall conference
Don't miss the early bird savings! Are you planning to attend the DownsED fall conference in September? You don't want to miss out on this incredible opportunity based on world-leading research. There are two tracks to choose from: "In Depth" and "Essentials". Register now for the best pricing! Prices go up July 1. http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=21828750&msgid=241524&act=3XZE&c= 601870&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fatlantadsaa.org%2Fget-involved%2Ffall-confer ence%2F Click below for conference brochure! http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=21828750&msgid=241524&act=3XZE&c= 601870&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fatlantadsaa.org%2Fimages-tinybrowser%2Ffiles %2Fevents%2F2010_atlanta_downsed_web.pdf

How to apply to be a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program
Federal Student Aid website has posted the instructions on how to apply to be a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program so that students will be eligible for financial aid. http://www.ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/ 062110TitleIVEligibility.html Application for Title IV Approval of a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program If an institution wishes to have a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program determined to be an eligible program for the Federal student aid programs, it must submit an updated Electronic Application for Approval to Participate in the Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs (E-App) to the Department (34 CFR 600.20). The E-App can be accessed at (http://eligcert.ed.gov/). After submitting the electronic application, the institution must mail the signed signature page to the Department and submit, via email, a detailed description of the program, as described below, along with any other requested supporting documentation.
Great News for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Great News! The US Department of Education, Financial Services Administration has released the electronic announcement regarding how institutions can update their applications to enable students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs to be eligible to receive Federal aid. Click below for more information http://www.ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/062110TitleIVEligibility.html


AUWDI Prenatal Outreach
We are in the process of formulating a Prenatal Outreach program through doctor’s offices for parents who have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. Unfortunately, approximately 91% of parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose to terminate their pregnancies. As parents and friends of children and adults who have Down syndrome, we know what these parents are missing out on! It is our goal to provide education and opportunities for these parents to talk with parents within our group to give them encouragement and support. We have purchased several of the excellent resource, “Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis” and its companion resource, “Delivering a Down Syndrome Diagnosis” (to be used by the doctors), which we plan to distribute to physician’s offices. If you are interested in helping with this outreach program, please contact Penny Putman (248-8553 or pputman9@knology.net).

Pancake Breakfast 2010
We celebrated International Down Syndrome Day with our 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast March 20th at Sunshine Cafe. I want to personally thank the owners Dedra and Earl King and their daughter CoraLee for they generous support along with their staff for their 2nd year in holding this for us. We made over $900. We had a Joel Hall and his mom Anita who helped serve and clean. Drew Gibson was there in his Cub Scout uniform, Kristen’s son, who did a great job working with Bobbie, a waitress there to earn a Cub Scout Patch. Donna Austin came to help and support us by handling the money and selling calendars. Amy Davis brought out our Awareness Photograph Board. Sara Sirmons was there selling her cookbooks and donating the money she made back to us, thank you Sara. Myth Buster tent cards on every table gave little known facts about Down syndrome and were great for spreading awareness. There was a lot of eating, fun, and socializing and questions about our group and how some people could help our organization. view photos from pancake breakfast Gallery:http://mmclawhon.zenfolio.com/p983292826 Slideshow: http://mmclawhon.zenfolio.com/p983292826/slideshow

Calendar Awareness Outreach and Promotional Give-aways
• After February 15 “Calendars Around Town” Project begins with the purpose being to distribute all remaining calendars to community organizations, doctors offices, sponsors, businesses, schools, etc… for awareness and promotional reasons. Ø Individuals wanting to help with “Calendars Around Town” can volunteer through the Sales/Distribution Rep at 850.249.9988 or actonupwithdowns@gmail.com Ø To participate submit a list of prospects to the Awareness Committee and/or volunteer to distribute calendars to approved prospects. • Calendars are available as goodwill or promotional gifts prior to February 15. Submit the reason for calendar give-away and recipient’s name/s to the Awareness Committee at actonupwithdowns@gmail.com for review. Please give at least one week to process request. Special consideration examples may be; Buddy Walk volunteer, Major Donor appreciation, VIP supporter, targeted group or company for awareness and partnership.
For More Information: Noel West • Vice President Acton Up with Downs, Inc. PO Box 9326 • Panama City Beach, FL 32417 Cell: 850-960-1944 Office: (850) 249-9988 • Fax: (850) 235-9003

Welcome to the Acton Up With Downs, Inc. Web site

Important Dates
HAPPENING TODAY Buddy Walk Volunteer meeting Thursday , July 22, 2010, 5:30 PM Hosted by Carla Mack Riverside Community Club House 4010 Oak Forest Dr. Panama City, FL 624-9797 carlamacks24@bellsouth.net View Guest List and RSVP
SUMMER ACTIVITIES Dance Fever Family Summer Party Enjoy a live band, dinner and friends. July 24 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Moose Lodge - 739 E 24Th Plaza (Behind Target) Panama City Call Terrie Willis at 205-901-1945 for more info.
Special Education Law and Advocacy Workshops August 9 2010 Ft. Walton Beach Ramada Plaza Beach Resort, 1500 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE, 9 am – 4 pm To register go to http://www.fddc.org/registration or call 1-800-580-7801 Acton Up with Downs members are forming carpools so make sure to call Noel @960-1944 if you plan on attending.
Bingo Aug. 13th The Civitans has invited any young adults who want to play Bingo to participate. It is the 2nd Friday of every month, held at the Oakland Terrace Community Center from 6-8pm. They award prizes, select a King and Queen, and provide refreshments.
Weekly Events
Youth and Young Adult Bowling Tuesdays @ 2:00 Bowl-a-rama on 15th Street Call Mike or Fran Coyne for more info785-2225

Play Date for Babies - 6 yr olds Fridays 10:00 - 12:00 Rock-it Lanes Roller Rink Edgewater Shopping Center, PCB Bring ride-on or push toys or the kids can skate $5.30 per child (includes lunch) Free Passes are available. -Call 960-1944 for details.

Monthly Events
Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 11:45 AM to 12:45 AM Hosted by April Walker 850-722-9636 Chick-Fil-A 900 W. 23rd St, Panama City, FL View Guest List and RSVP Eat & Chat Lunches are open to everyone; children, siblings and friends are welcome, we also welcome individuals who are interested in volunteering with Acton Up with Downs. (2nd Wed of every month) 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM Chick-Fil-A on 23rd Street Make sure newcomers who attend the Eat & Chat Luncheon always receive a warm welcome. Call Noel @ 960-1944 to volunteer

Bingo BINGO The Civitans has invited any young adults who want to play Bingo to participate. It is the 2nd Friday of every month, held at the Oakland Terrace Community Center from 6-8pm. They award prizes, select a King and Queen, and provide refreshments.
Activities & Awareness Committee Meetings An Acton Up with Downs event Panera Bread 23rd Street, Panama City, FL
NEW LINK
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology released a comprehensive 113-page publication, Employment Resources and Self-Help Guide for Individuals with Disabilities. This employment resource guide includes up-to-date resource information with hyperlinks from the table of contents to the document to appropriate cites to applicable federal/state law, regulations and websites, making this guide user-friendly and easy to navigate. To review this guide, go to: www.faast.org/atr_trends.cfm

Buddy Walk™
2009 Sponsors

You will find links to the many wonderful sponsors who made such an important contribution to the success of Buddywalk 2009.

Following the Web listings, contact information is listed for those business without Web sites.

Sincere thanks to the businesses who make a difference in our community by their active support of our organization and mission statement.