Family Support

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 morning, virtually and one Saturday morning in person.  

Facilitator: Cathleen Small, Director of New Family Services & Medical Outreach

Wednesdays 7-8:30pm

Location: Zoom

Jan 4, Feb. 1, Mar 1, Apr 12, May 3, Jun 7, Jul 5, Aug 2, Sep 6, Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6

Saturdays: (In Person)  9:30am–11:00am

Location: DSCBA, 101-J Town and Country Dr, Danville

Jan 21, Feb 18, Jul 15, Aug 19, Oct 21, Nov 11

(Saturday meetings include a continental breakfast.)

We also offer a virtual meeting for Spanish speaking families once per month:

Mondays 3pm-4:30pm

Location: Zoom

Jan 9, Feb 6, Mar 13, Apr 3, May 1, June 12, July 10, Aug 7, Sep 11, Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4

Please contact Cathleen at cathleen@dscba.org or call her at (925) 362-8660 x104 if you are planning to attend. You may also contact her if you would like to be placed on the meeting email list or if you have questions about this group. 

Early Connections Play Dates

Sunday: (In Person)  Mar 19, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Spirited Play Labs, San Ramon - 

Saturday: (In Person)  Aug 19, 10:00am-12:00pm

Location: North Bay Play Date - location TBD

Saturday: (In Person)  Sep 9, 10:00am-12:00pm

Location: Peninsula Play Date - location TBD

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. 

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, May 28, 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.

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 - 3^rd 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 17, Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 21

Facilitator: Marianne Iversen, Paula Gann

Location: Virtual

Email: marianne@dscba.org

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 19, *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. 

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

• Young Connections at DSCBA
  • 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. 

     
• 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
  • 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.

     
• DSCBA Dual Diagnosis Support
  • 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.

• 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.