Preschool Rhythm & Play at Inspired Play Cafe

with Alyssa Jones

Next session: March 14th, 2026

$5 More Info

Preschool Rhythm & Play @ Inspired Play Cafe

Address: 6527 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66209

Saturday, March 14th from 9:30–10:45 AM

($5 per child only) Siblings are welcome

A lively blend of music, movement, and sensory exploration for ages 2–5

Preschool Rhythm & Play invites young children to move, groove, and explore in a fun, developmentally supportive environment. We will have a private room to start our class for our introductions, music, and rhythm.

Midway through class, children transition into sensory play breakout and explore the equipment at the play cafe.

Designed for all abilities, this class encourages social connection, creativity, and joyful movement—helping preschoolers build important skills while having a blast.

If you have any questions please email alyssa@kcdsi.org

World Down Syndrome Day Celebration (Central Missouri)

with Quinn Boland

Next session: March 21st, 2026

Free More Info

World Down Syndrome Day is Saturday, March 21st and we are hosting a party for all of our central Missouri families in Columbia, Missouri! This event posting will be updated in January with more details. Stay tuned to our social media and email announcements. SAVE-the-DATE for now because you don't want to miss this event!

World Down Syndrome Day Celebration (Kansas City)

Next session: March 21st, 2026

Free More Info

World Down Syndrome Day is Saturday, March 21st and we are hosting a party for all of our families in midtown Kansas City! This event posting will be updated in January with more details. Stay tuned to our social media and email announcements. SAVE-the-DATE for now because you don't want to miss this event!

Thriving Through Adulthood: Daily Living Strategies for Adults with Down Syndrome

with Morgan Hodges

Next session: March 25th, 2026

Free More Info

As adults with Down syndrome live longer and healthier lives, families and caregivers play an essential role in supporting their independence, safety, and overall well-being. This presentation provides practical, evidence-informed strategies to help adults with Down syndrome successfully navigate the aging process.

Participants will learn how aging may uniquely impact physical, cognitive, sensory, and emotional health in individuals with Down syndrome and how to promote daily functioning at home and in the community. The presentation will cover key areas such as adapting activities of daily living, supporting mobility, promoting meaningful engagement, and implementing home and environmental safety strategies.

Caregivers will leave with tools, resources, and simple adaptations they can use right away to enhance quality of life, encourage independence, and ensure a safe and supportive environment as their loved one ages.

Morgan Hodges, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist committed to helping individuals build independence and improve daily living skills. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Arkansas and her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Morgan is passionate about providing client-centered, functional therapy to support meaningful participation in everyday life.

If you have any questions please email CJ, at cj@kcdsi.org

Mental Health & Resiliency in the ID/DD Community

with CJ Vallejo

Next session: April 6th to December 18th, 2026

Free More Info

This Caregiver Education event will be offered multiple times during the 2026 service year. Dates and locations coming soon, so check back in, or go ahead and register and we will send you current information.

Trailblazing best practices in mental health services for people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities is a priority within the mission of Down Syndrome Innovations. Join this workshop and learn strategies to ensure your loved one, or the people you serve, are living their best lives. Megan DeBoom, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Lisa Lind, licensed clinical social worker, will demonstrate strategies for healthy coping and emotional regulation that can be used by members of your family and service providers on your team. You will walk away with visual supports and ideas that you can implement right away to ensure that you, the ones you love, and the ones you serve, are equipped to manage stress and navigate the challenges of everyday life. Instruction is relevant for supporters of individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities of all ages and stages.

Topics covered will include, but not limited to:

• A strengths-based approach to emotional well-being

• Research and best practices for the ID/DD community

• Building protective factors for health and wellness

• Family resiliency and healthy coping

• Co-regulation of emotions

• Skills related to managing conflict and relationships

• Grief, loss, and stressful transitions

• Self-care and wellness

Special thanks to grant funding from Children's Services Fund of Jackson County and EITAS, for providing life-changing funds that allow Jackson County residents to access critical mental health services and providing the means for us to offer these workshops to families and service providers throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Alzheimer’s and Down Syndrome: A Parent to Parent Conversation

with Sarah Mai

Next session: April 14th, 2026

Free More Info

Join us for this meaningful parent-to-parent conversation on Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease with Buddy and Carolyn Jones, in collaboration with Down Syndrome Innovations (DSI) and KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (KU ADRC). In addition to sharing their family’s personal story, Buddy and Carolyn will encourage other parents to develop an action plan for their loved one to deal with the potential of Alzheimer's and take steps to perhaps delay the development of the disease.

Buddy and Carolyn Jones have been effective trailblazers and system-change advocates throughout their son's entire life, as well as being mentors and supportive friends to so many parents, service providers, and physicians. Additionally, Buddy and Carolyn have remained in close contact with the teams at Down Syndrome Innovations and the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, providing vital parent perspectives on services, interventions, and research.

Now they have chosen to sit down for an intimate conversation with other parents who could face a similar experience with their aging loved one, and ensure no one else feels isolated or without resources in this stage of the journey.

At the conclusion of their presentation, both DSI and KU ADRC will discuss services and supports they offer for aging individuals with Down syndrome and their caregivers.

All attendees are welcome to come at 6:00pm for a casual caregiver connection time prior to the presentation. DSI will provide drinks and refreshments during this time.

Let’s Talk About Puberty!

with Dr. Kristie Marble, DO

Next session: April 15th, 2026

Free More Info

This presentation will focus on guiding families and caregivers through healthy, developmentally appropriate conversations about puberty, sexuality, and reproductive health. It will outline when to begin thinking about these topics and provide clear strategies for when and how to discuss them respectfully and age appropriately. Attendees will learn about useful resources—including recommended books, visual supports, and teaching tools—that can make these conversations easier and more accessible.

Overall, this session is designed to help caregivers approach sexual health education with confidence, clarity, and practical tools that support the well-being and autonomy of the individuals they care for.

Dr. Kristie Marble is a board-certified Pediatrician and a board-certified Pediatric Hospitalist at Children's Mercy Kansas City. In addition to her hospitalist role, she proudly serves as one of the pediatricians in the Multidisciplinary Down Syndrome Clinic. Her dedication to the Down syndrome community is both professional and deeply personal as it was sparked 17 years ago following the birth of her daughter, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome right after birth. This personal journey inspired her to become an expert in the field and commit herself to educating medical professionals. She is now excited to leverage both her clinical expertise and lived experience to support and educate other parents and families navigating their own paths, in partnership with Down Syndrome Innovations.

If you have any questions please email CJ, at cj@kcdsi.org

321 Fit – a fitness event for all ages!

with Scott Quaife

Next session: April 18th, 2026

Free More Info

SAVE-the-DATE for now because you don't want to miss this event! This event posting will be updated in January with more details. Stay tuned to our social media and email announcements.

Hosted by Down Syndrome Innovations, Special Olympics Kansas, and The University of Kansas Medical Center, 321 Fit is a fitness event for all ages that features interactive fitness stations, presentations from self-advocates, a caregiver session, Zumba, healthy snacks, giveaways, and booths from local organizations and businesses serving the Down syndrome community.

This event is designed not only to inspire your self-advocate to be active and healthy, but also allows them to participate in it right away! There is something for all ages, abilities, and interests! We hope to see you there to continue you on your fitness journey with us!

Caregiver Education: Post Secondary Transitions: Navigating the IEP Process for a Successful Future

with Kathryn Holmes

Next session: May 12th, 2026

Free More Info

This seminar will focus on providing parents and caregivers with a clear understanding of the IEP transition process, from the legal requirements to the best practices for ensuring a smooth and successful transition from school to post-school activities.

With a focus on education, employment, and independent living, the seminar will break down the steps parents can take to actively support their child’s growth and future planning, offering actionable strategies and resources that can make a real difference.

Summer Celebration (Central Missouri)

with Quinn Boland

Next session: June 13th, 2026

Free More Info

We are hosting a Summer Celebration for all of our central Missouri families in Columbia, Missouri! This event posting will be updated soon with more details. We are aiming for one of the first Saturdays of June. Stay tuned to our social media and email announcements.