Family Support
Our Connection Groups offer opportunities for families to meet with those who have similar interests and are seeking peer support. Our programs are a safe and confidential place where we talk about issues we have in common with others.
These meetings are not only an outlet for support, but can also be an important and powerful way to give back to other DSCBA families by providing guidance from your own personal experiences as you grow in knowledge and understanding about Down syndrome. These groups are facilitated to help keep the dynamics of each member's input a helpful and meaningful experience. As a result of the connections made in these settings, many members experience lifelong friendships of support and understanding along with gaining powerful knowledge that leads to success for the child, the family and the community at large.
Early Connections
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Early Connections offers a friendly and supportive environment for parents and their babies (ages 0–3). We share helpful information to support your baby’s development. Some months we invite guest speakers and focus on a specific topic.
This group meets two times a month: one Wednesday evening and one Saturday morning.
Facilitator: Cathleen Small
Wednesdays 7-8:30pm
Saturdays: In Person 9:30-11am
Location: DSCBA 101-J Town and Country Dr, Danville
Early Connections Play Dates
- Jul 15 - 10 am - 12 pm
- Mia's Dream Come True All-Abilities Playground, Tennyson Park, 28377 Huntwood Ave, Hayward, CA 94544
- Aug 5 - 10 am - 12 pm
- Inclusive Playground at Lucchesi Park, 320 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
- Inclusive Playground at Lucchesi Park, 320 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954
- Sep 9 - 10 am - 12 pm
- Magical Bridge Playground, Red Morton Park, 938 Valota Rd, Redwood City, CA 94061
- Magical Bridge Playground, Red Morton Park, 938 Valota Rd, Redwood City, CA 94061
Conexiones Tempranas en Español
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Las conexiones tempranas ofrecen un ambiente amigable y de apoyo para los padres y sus bebés (de 0 a 3 años). Compartimos información útil para apoyar el desarrollo de su bebé. Algunos meses invitamos a oradores invitados y nos enfocamos en un tema específico.
Facilitator(s): Cathleen Small
Bilingual Family Support: Martha Potts
Mondays - 3pm-4:30pm
Parents with School Aged Children
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This is a great opportunity to meet with other DSCBA parents to support each other with knowledge and information needed to meet the educational needs of your children and more. Share information and resources on many topics relating to your children, including educational best practices, health concerns, etc. In addition sometimes we host guest speakers from various professions to help contribute expert knowledge, answer questions, and provide resources to our network of parents.
Coordinator: Laurie Hawley
Location: Virtual via Zoom
2023 Meeting Times: Feb 9, Mar 9, Apr 13, Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9
Thursday: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Please email Programs@dscba.org if you have any questions.
Parents of Children of All Ages
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Mom’s Coffee Chat
Moms of children of all ages are welcomed to join in on an opportunity to get together in the comfort of your own home with fellow moms and share in the joys and challenges of parenting.
2023 Meeting Time/Dates - 11:00am-12::30pm PST
Jan 22, Apr 19, Jul 19, Oct 18
Facilitators: Laura Gordon, Keiri De Luca
Location: Via Zoom
Please email Programs@dscba.org if you have any questions.
Dad’s Night
Dads of children of all ages are welcomed to join in on an opportunity to get to meet other dads. This is a perfect way to get together in the comfort of your own home with other dads and share in the joys and challenges of parenting.
2023 Meeting Time/Dates - Every 4th Sunday of the Month: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 26, Apr 23, Jun 25, Jul 23, Aug 27, Sep 24, Oct 22
Facilitators: Vivek Mathrani, Jonas Kriksciunas, Nathan Leiser
Location: Via Zoom
Please email Programs@dscba.org if you have any questions.
Parents/Caregivers of Adults with Symptoms of Dementia
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If you are caring for someone with DS who exhibits symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia please join us in this monthly virtual meeting.
Meeting Times/Dates - 3rd Thursday of the Month: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 16, Apr 20, May 18, Jun 15, Jul 20, Aug 10*, Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 21
Facilitator: Marianne Iversen, Paula Gann
Location: Virtual
Email: marianne@dscba.org
Grandparents
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Grandparents of children with Down syndrome are welcomed and encouraged to join this monthly group. This is an opportunity to exchange information, share common experiences, and be encouraged by other grandparents with similar issues and concerns.
Facilitator: Cathleen Small
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
*Location: DSCBA, 101-J Town and Country Dr, Danville
2023 Meeting Time/Dates: 10:00am–11:30am, Fourth Wednesday of the month
Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 22, Apr 26, *May 10 (In-person,) Jun 28, Jul 26, Aug 23, Oct 25, *Dec 6 (In-person)
Please RSVP to Cathleen at cathleen@dscba.org if you would like to attend or with questions.
Siblings
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Brothers and sisters of those with Down syndrome tend to be compassionate, understanding, wonderful people. But we also know that being the brother or sister of someone with Down syndrome can have its tough times, too!
If you would like more information about resources please contact info@dscba.org or visit our Siblings Resources section
DSCBA Facebook Groups
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- Young Connections at DSCBA
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A DSCBA Connection group for parents of young and elementary-aged children. This private group provides a place to share and support one another in a respectful environment.
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- DSCBA Homeschoolers
- This private group, a part of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA), is open to parents, family members and caregivers who homeschool a child or adult having Down syndrome. This group also welcomes parents or persons in the Bay Area seeking more information about homeschooling their loved one with Down syndrome. This is a place for families to ask questions and share advice, resources, and experiences about the unique challenges, added stress, struggles and successes of homeschooling. The focus is on helping each other to find possible solutions, along with sharing humorous stories, in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
- DSCBA Conexión de Síndrome Down del Área de la Bahía
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Down Syndrome Connection es una organización apasionada y dedicada a fomentar el potencial ilimitado en niños y adultos con síndrome de Down en todo el Área de la Bahía de San Francisco desde 1998.Este es un lugar para que las familias y cualquier persona con un ser querido con el síndrome de Down puedan hacer preguntas, compartir consejos, recursos y experiencias sobre los desafíos únicos, el estrés adicional, los retos y los éxitos. La atención se centra en ayudarse mutuamente a encontrar posibles soluciones, junto con historias divertidas, en un entorno seguro y sin prejuicios.
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- DSCBA Dual Diagnosis Support
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This private group, a part of the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA), is open to parents, family members, caregivers, and others working with a child or adult having Down syndrome and autism in the Bay Area. This group also welcomes parents or persons in the Bay Area seeking more information about a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism.This is a place for families, and anyone touched by a person having dual diagnosis, to ask questions, share advice, resources, and experiences about the unique challenges, added stress, struggles and successes. The focus is on helping each other to find possible solutions, along with humorous stories, in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
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- DSCBA-Parents/Caregivers of Teens and Adults with Down Syndrome
- A DSCBA Connection group for parents/caregivers of Teens and Adults with Down syndrome. This is a private group that is meant to give an opportunity to share and support one another in a respectful environment.