What is it? The Improvaneers is the first and only of its kind social improv group in the United States. Check out this video of class participants sharing what they love about Improv!
Watch a Video to Learn More
When is it? Each Wednesday for 6 weeks at 6:00 p.m. starting April 7.
Where is it: Via Zoom!
Cost: $25* for the 6-week program (approx $4/session)
Brought to you by: Stand Up for Downs, Rob Snow, the Down Syndrome Association for Families of Nebraska, and Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands
A partnership of
Give to Lincoln Day, a campaign where Lancaster County comes together to support the important work of its nonprofits, begins May 1 and culminates in one final, super exciting, day of giving on May 25! Last year, amidst all the unknowns of COVID, DSAF supporters donated over $14,000 to help people with Down syndrome. W.O.W!!! (And thank you again for your support!)
For this year's campaign, DSAF staff and board think it would be incredibly fun if we could all work together to show the community just how engaged our families can be - and what better way than around exercise! Our fundraising team will work tirelessly to reach out to community members and corporate partners throughout Lancaster County to request their early financial support of DSAF with the promise that for every $1 they donate by May 14, our member families will collectively pledge 1 minute of exercise by Give to Lincoln Day on May 25.
How would this work? Here's an example: If generous donors contributed $5,000 by May 14, participating DSAF families would collectively match that with 5,000 minutes of exercise the week leading up to Give to Lincoln (so May 17-May 25).
How would it be tracked? With the good ol' "honor system." We'd love for participating families to show us on social media how they are getting out and being active for their portion of those matched minutes of exercise. Tag @dsafnebraska.org and use the hashtag #MovingForDSAF so we can all follow the fun! What would count as exercise? You could bike as a family (if 5 of you go on a bike ride for 1 hour, that's 5 hours!), take a walk around Holmes Lake, attend a virtual yoga class - however you want to exercise! Back to the $5,000/5,000 minute example, if we had 20 families participating, 5,000 minutes of exercise would equate to approximately 4 hours per family. Totally doable in one week(end)!
This is awesome! How do I sign up? If this seems at all up your alley, join us in this campaign and help us engage new supporters of DSAF in an entirely new way! We are asking any member families who would like to participate, to simply RSVP by April 30th to take part in this fun (and healthy!) activity.
Thank you! For questions, contact Jamie Bertucci at director@dsafnebraska.org.
Held every third Tuesday of the month, the educational series is provided by DSAF to its members - extended family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Ed Series will continue to be held virtually via Zoom until further notice. (Zoom link provided below.)
DSAF Board member, Alisha Bollinger will present on this very important part of the IEP document, providing examples of Educational Impact Statements, sample strengths and needs for the present levels and what types of evaluations and data families should look for when they are presented in the IEP.
You can access the DSAF Ed. Series presentation at the Zoom information below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/9716022934 code: 320346
Meeting ID: 971 602 2934
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Contact Dawna at dailyyaymakerne@gmail.com with questions.
This event will be held on Zoom using the Kahoot! app. Kahoot! is free on app stores or can be used on the Kahoot! website. All DSAF families are welcome to join. The trivia will be from family movies with a PG or less rating, mostly cartoons. Zoom link will be e-mailed prior to event.
Please download the Kahoot! app prior to the event.
The Homer’s Heroes baseball division is for boys and girls with physical or intellectual disabilities, ages 5 to 17. In 2019, 95 players participated in the program. Four weeks of games are played starting the first Saturday of June. Volunteer “Buddies” encourage and assist each player during the game. One game is played at Haymarket Park with the Lincoln Saltdogs players. The Optimist Clubs of Lincoln established the program in 1992 and has coordinated this baseball league since that time. Shirts and awards are furnished by the Optimist Clubs. Caps, field rental and equipment are sponsored by the Junior Saltdogs League.
Linked here are the 2021 registration form and 2021 season flyer with additional details. Registration forms are due no later than May 13! If you have any questions, please email HomersHeroes1@aol.com or contact Jeanne Cuda 430-7394 or Dottie Williams 304-2583.
Once the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance have been determined, annual Goals and Objectives/Benchmarks should be developed to match the data in the present levels. Com and learn more about the ABCs of goals and the particulars to make sure your goals are being evaluated and how often progress will be monitored. Presented by TBD.
https://zoom.us/j/9716022934
Join DSAF Super Stars for 4th of July Craft Time!
Who: This is a Super Stars (school age) event for any DSAF family raising a child with Down syndrome.
What: You will receive one package of supplies per family to make 3 stars like those pictured above: popsicle sticks, paint, paint brush, glue, ribbons, and embellishments.
When: Use your supplies to make your stars any time from June 27-July 4. Post pictures of your masterpieces on the DSAF Facebook page so we can all see the creations!
NOTE: Packages will be delivered to homes in Lincoln, but shipping is available if you'd prefer or live outside of Lincoln. To help reduce the costs of shipping and allow for more fun events for all, we are asking participants requesting shipping to make an optional $5 donation.
?'s- Contact Sue Rogers at suekrogers@hotmail.com.
Please register by June 20 to receive your family's 4th of July craft materials courtesy of DSAF.
To the maximum extent appropriate, all students shall be educated and participate with students who are non-disabled. The IEP document should provide an explanation of the extent, if any, to which students will not participate in general education classes and activities and what services, accommodations and modifications they are entitled to as part of their IEP document. Presented by TBD.
Contact Dawna at director@dsafnebraska.org with questions.
A Notice is given with the IEP document that describes the proposed action and notice of decision taken by the school district as part of the IEP document. It also describes the evaluation procedures, assessments, records, reports and methods that were used in coming to the decision and other options that may have been considered and rejected by the IEP team in conducting the IEP review. We will review this document in further detail and provide you with the information your family needs in a time of fluid education due to COVID. Presented by TBD.
Re-Evaluation (aka MDT) and Due Process
Students on an IEP are subject to reverification at least every three years. This session will focus on common evaluation methods and will also provide information on what a family's rights are if they disagree with the decision of the MDT/IEP team, often called Due Process utilizing the Parental Rights provided by the Nebraska Department of Education. Presenter - TBD
This session will focus on developing a positive behavior intervention plan with the schools within an IEP team. Reinforcers and sensory considerations for the classroom and the unwritten curriculum of schools that students, parents, teachers, and staff must navigate during the school year. Current event topics such as the use of restraint and seclusion, supporting schools and personnel, and protecting children by providing training for all members of the IEP team will be discussed. Presenter - TBD
School transportation guidelines have changed recently to include extended driver licensing and annual training. What else can we expect when it comes to transporting our children? How do we know if we qualify? These topics and more will be discussed during this session. Presenter - TBD
Transition and the IEP
Starting at age 14 there is a new part to the IEP process known as the "transition page". What goes into a transition page? What is included and who is involved in the transitioning of a student on an IEP into the next setting. What are the various options for students and who is there to help them decide? These questions and many more will be answered as we present transition and the IEP in this session. Presenters: Transition Specialist, Dawna Daily, and a Representative from Nebraska Voc. Rehabilitation/Nebraska Department of Education.
Mailing Address:P.O. Box 57362LIncoln, NE 68505Phone: 402.421.1338
