Club 21 Learning and Resource Center

Tools For The Journey Club 21's Tools for the Journey conference for parents and educators/specialists was held on January 27 and 28, 2023. The conference featured two full days of in-person and live virtual presentations and workshops by 30 renowned speakers from throughout the US and Canada. Topics included Cultivating Circles of Support, Employment and the Importance of Belonging, Building Strengths into Assessments, The Evolution of Inclusion, Peer Tutoring Strategies, Motor Skills for Independence and Belonging, and Supporting Inclusion in the Real World.

Stepping Up Stepping Up provides parent education and child learning opportunities specifically designed for families of young children with Down syndrome as they transition from Early Intervention services with their regional centers through the early years with their school districts. Parents learn: -To feel more confident collaborating with their childs IEP team -To develop a clear understanding of how their child learns -New strategies to practice at home -Information to share with their child's educational support team While parents attend their monthly in person workshop, their child will work in a small group with an OT, SLP and special education teacher on motor skills and learning readiness. This is a 10 month program, August through May, with a monthly video lesson followed by an in-person workshop for parents and small group children's session. It has four class levels: Early Intervention, Preschool, Kindergarten and Early Elementary.

Educational Partnership Educational Partnership provides teachers and parents with the resources they need so that children with Down syndrome can fully participate in inclusive classes with their neuro-typical peers. It is a three- tiered strategy: 1) Educate and empower parents; 2) Educate and provide tools and resources to educators; 3) Educate and encourage vision and leadership among school administrators. When inclusion is effectively implemented, research demonstrates academic and social benefits for all students; both those with special needs as well as neuro-typical students. Friendships develop, non- disabled students are more appreciative of differences, and students with disabilities are more motivated. Students are better prepared to successfully transition from high school. Over the past nine years, 136 parents and 444 teachers from 75 schools/school districts have participated in this program.

Club 21 Learning and Resource Center provides the educational tools and resources that enable individuals with Down syndrome to be fully included.