Special Education Law and Advocacy Training

Sponsored by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. Aug 12 in Panhandle Area. Wrightslaw special education law and advocacy programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and health care providers who represent children with disabilities www.wrightslaw.com

Southeast Regional Down Syndrome Council To Hold First Meeting August 21-22

What is a Regional Down Syndrome Council?
Each council is comprised of Down syndrome groups within a defined region.  Participating council members share a common interest in collaborating with other groups.  Council members share responsibilities, mutual authority and accountability for success of the council.  All groups are welcomed – large and small. 
 
Benefits of Regional Councils
Regional Down Syndrome Councils provide a powerful way for the Down syndrome groups to accomplish what no single organization can. 
Councils provide a forum for large and small DS groups to work together.
Councils provide opportunities for group leaders to increase communications with their counterparts in their region and builds an avenue for ongoing networking and sharing of resources.
Creates a forum for Parent Down Syndrome Groups to leverage support and share activities with regional organizations, national organizations and public institutions that serve individuals with Down syndrome. Regional
Down Syndrome Councils create a structure for the implementation of multiple projects and initiatives as opposed to a single project.
 
First council meeting 
Will be on Friday night & Saturday on August 21-22.  The meeting will be held in Savannah, Georgia.
Down syndrome groups/affiliates from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina are being asked to participate in the Southeast Regional Council. 

Calendar on Sale Now

Contact  Elaine at 850-527-6766 or email Elaine at ActonUpWithDowns
@knology.net

AUWDI Launches Summer Program Offers Tutoring and Activities two days a week 
The AUWDI Summer Program, this year, will be small and manageable to help lay the foundation for growth in coming years. Organizers hope to learn what exactly the needs of our stakeholders are and how we can best serve everyone. The needs and interests of our teen members are quite different than the needs of our preschool members. We do know though, it is essential kids with intellectual disabilities have structured activities to stay on track and involved while out of school for the summer.

The program Director will be Mrs. Donka Dubuque ESE Teacher in 2009 for 3rd- 6th grade at Breakfast Point Academy. She has a background in behavior modification and a degree in social work. She will have a team of paraprofessionals on hand to assist her. The teachers will provide age specific preplanned activities. There will also be the opportunity for kids to be tutored on specific material at the request of the parent.          

In the future we hope to be able to provide summer services where the kids can be dropped off and picked up. Summer poses real dilemmas for parents who work and cannot find appropriate care for their child with an intellectual disability. Our community simply does not offer programs to meet this vital need. Unfortunately, that is not possible this year and participants are required to have a family member or friend (16 or older) to stay on site in case they are needed. The good news is there will be a respite room available to socialize, read, do work or whatever while your student is learning and having fun.
Scholarships to this year's conference were awarded at Buddywalk 2008. Members Christopher Raffield and Rachel Stanford and Board Member Joyce Long are the 2009 FL Down Syndrome Conference Scholarship Winners.

Please contact AUWDI to finalize arrangements to attend the 2009 FL Down Syndrome Conference in Orlando FL.
Believing that communities grow stronger when they work together, an individual who supports the efforts to keep local kids with DS on track through the summer has donated $2,000 as a matching grant opportunity. The donor requests that other community members match this financial contribution. We look forward to seeing you!
Mondays & Thursdays
9am - 12pm
June 22 - Aug 6
Ages 4 +, No Charge (Any & all donations would be welcomed to offset our cost.) For more information Please Call 249-9988.

Logan and mom Kristin
Logan and Kristen doing the great Balancing Act
On behalf of AUWDI we would like to Thank Kristen Gibson for her volunteer service to this organization as treasurer for the past three years. It takes each of us to build a community that respects and values diversity among its members.
FL Down Syndrome Conference 2009
August 14 & 15 - Four Fresh Events Rolled Into One!
The Florida Down Syndrome Conference 2009 is set for August 14- 15 in Orlando. Join the Down Syndrome Association of Central FL for another fun and information-filled two days...First there are three pre-conference sessions for those who want to delve into topics a little deeper. Second is the general conference. It's a better than ever event featuring inspiring speakers and workshops conducted by experts in every aspect of Down syndrome. Side by side with the general conference is the Self-Advocates Conference conducted by and for teens/adults with DS as well as UCF College of Education. And finally, there's the annual Awards Banquet as the Conference Luncheon. The cost of the luncheon is included in your registration fee. Please note separate registration is required for the Pre-Conference sessions as well as the Self Advocates Conference. Registrations must be postmarked no later than Friday, July 31, 2009. If you need more information please call 407-823-6705.

Who should attend? The pre-conference sessions, reception, and workshops are all designed to meet the needs of family members, educators, advocates, health care providers, and self-advocates, ages 16 and up.

Location: Univ. of Central Florida ,Student Union Building, Orlando, Fl. Please note that only Pre-conference sessions will take place in Teaching Academy.
Conference Cost: $40/Person and $15/person for one (1) pre-conference session. Click on link for registration and more information. Conference 2009 Registration Form FINAL.pdf
Cahllenger Baseball ends season
Challenger Baseball- a winner
Season 2009 concludes with an awards banquet recognizing another awesome year of great play. Good job kids and thank you Coach Chagnon.

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

The Long Family
Prudential Foundation
Recognizes Valuable Volunteer Service
of Joyce Long

Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants, the recognition and awards program for employees of Prudential Financial, recently acknowledged Joyce Long for her volunteer work during 2008.

A grant for $1000 will be awarded to Acton Up with Downs on behalf of Joyce Long who is AUWDI's President and a local realtor for Prudential Shimmering  Sands.

Joyce's continued commitment and dedication to Acton Up With Down's has helped assure our organization is able to achieve our mission.

 Heartfelt Congratulations Joyce and thanks for all you do! You are an inspiration to us all.

Family Support Lunch Pool Party  is set for Saturday, July 25
 
Save the Date, Saturday, July 25th from 10:00am to 1:00pm. AUWDI will be hosting their Quarterly Family Support Party. Come ready to swim and sun at the Frank Brown Park Aquatics Center. Pizza and drinks will be available for lunch.

Many Thanks

Support Dinner
Our thanks to Cindy, Shelby, and Sterling Hansen at the Lynn Haven United Methodist Church.
JR's Rib Shack,Marsha Spurlock from Pyramid School of Fine Arts, Jesse, Wendy, and Coleman Lewis, Ron, Lydia, Sierra, and Mia White and Melissa Mclawhon.

Pancake Fund Raiser
Our thanks to the Sunshine Café, their clientele, Save-a-lot food stores News Channel 7,  D'edra, Earl, Carla,and Coralee King for so generously supporting the group.

Our Beach Party
Special thanks to the manager Golden Corral on 23rd street, to Panama City Beach Wal-Mart for their ongoing support to AUWDI, St Dominic's Catholic Church, Angie Mills, Carolyn Modawell, and JR Stanford.