Outreach

A 2005 Harvard Medical School survey showed that the majority of mothers who gave birth to a baby with Down syndrome received outdated or inaccurate information about raising a child with Down syndrome. Whis this is most likely because the expectations for people with Down syndrome have changed so significantly in the past 20 years with increased access to education, healthcare and early intervention programs, inaccurate data no longer needs to be the norm! Down Syndrome Indiana' s Outreach Programs are designed to provide up to date and accurate information to professionals about the reality and joys of raising a child with Down sydnrome.

New Parent Packets

DSI provides comprehensive parent packets that contain a wealth of information to parents that have a newborn with Down syndrome or have just learned of the diagnosis before their child is born. These packets are distributed to the families upon request or through local hospitals.

Items in the New Parent Packet

DS I Publications

Welcome Letter
Current Issue of Common Bonds
D.A.D.S. Brochure

Healthcare Resources

Ann Whitehill Down Syndrome Program
Peyton Manning Down Syndrome Clinic Flyer
Pediatric Specialist Pamplet
Growth Charts for Individuals with Down syndrome
Down syndrome Health Care Guidelines
Medicaid Pamplet

Local Resources and Early Intervention

Advocacy Card
Crossroads Flyer
Family to Family Brochure
First Steps Flyer
First Steps Brochure
First Steps Map

Miscellaneous

Babies with Down Syndrome Book
Family Development Services Brochure
New Parent Booklet
The Power of Words Brochure

Spanish new parent packets, available upon request.

For more information about Outreach please contact our Outreach Coordinator Firany Briceno by e-mail or by phone at (317) 931-9843.

Prenatal Outreach Program

Down Syndrome Indiana is dedicated to providing as much information to medical professionals that we can. Down Syndrome Indiana’s Prenatal Outreach Program’s mission is to provide prenatal support to expectant parents receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis. The primary components of the program include the distribution of materials to medical professionals and the training of parent volunteers offering prenatal support who are Down Syndrome Representatives. For more information about this program please contact our Outreach Coordinator Firany Briceno by e-mail at by phone at(317) 931-9843.

Toolkits for Educators

Down Syndrome Indiana provides educators of individuals with Down syndrome, both at the preschool and elementary level, with a free mini library upon request. The library includes the following titles:

My Friend Isabelle
Everyone Counts
We’ll Paint the Octopus Red
Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome
Teaching Reading to Children with Down syndrome
Gross Motor Skills in Children with Down syndrome
Classroom Language Skills for Children with Down Syndrome
Teaching Math to People with Down syndrome and other Hands on Learners
Inclusion: Educating students with Down syndrome with their non-disabled peers by the NDSS

For more information please contact Firany Briceno at: (317) 931-9843 or email her by clicking here.

Presentations

The following presentations are available to be given by Down Syndrome Indiana staff and trained volunteers.

Everyone Counts
DSI 101
Prenatal Diagnosis
Miscellanous topics of your choosing

The outreach committee sponsors tables at several exhibits annually.

Inquiries and Referrals

Answer inquiries, provide useful referrals, develop procedures and create referral database.

Lending Library

DSI maintains a complimentary lending library that is available to the public. For more information about available titles please contact our Outreach Coordinator Firany Briceno by e-mail or by phone at (317) 931-9843.

For more information on any of these programs or services please contact our Outreach Coordinator Firany Briceno by e-mail or by phone (317) 931-9843.

To view our current inventory of books click here.

Hand to Hand Program

This program will help to provide those in need with gently used clothing, furniture, children’s toys and adaptability items free of charge. If you have a child with Down syndrome or a disability and are in need of any of these items, contact Jenni Renforo by e-mail .

Three examples of how this program works are as follows:

A child is unexpectedly hospitalized. The family can request clothing, especially pajamas that snap down the front to accommodate necessary medical procedures while wearing more comfortable clothing.

A self advocate (adult with Down syndrome) moves into a new apartment and is in need of furniture and dishes to furnish the apartment. DSI can help!

A single parent has a child with Down syndrome and has a serious financial need.

The family can request items from Down Syndrome Indiana such as gently used clothes that have already been altered to fit a child with Down syndrome. How does it work? If you are in need of any of these items, please just contact Jenni by e-mail or call her directly at (317) 835-2492.

Storage space for this program was generously donated by D and D’s Strictly Storage.

Helping Hands

This program provides gift baskets, hospital care packages, gift cards, and visits to families that have a loved one with Down syndrome in the hospital.

Hospital Care Packages

A Hospital bag is a bag of useful items provided to families of children with Down syndrome that suddenly find themselves trapped in the hospital due to the unexpected diagnosis of cancer or other medical situations. The following are provided in a hospital bag:

Disposable shavers and shaving cream
Shampoo and Conditioner
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Zip lock bags
Bars of soap and deodorant
Dental Floss
Mouthwash
Hairbrushes and combs
Ponytail holders and nail files
Hand lotion
Unisex adult socks
Antibacterial wipes
Pads of paper, pens, and dry erase markers

For more information about Helping Hands please contact our Outreach Coordinator Firany Briceno by e-mail or by phone at (317) 931-9843.