DSILMB

DSI Launches New Education Booklets

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Down Syndrome Ireland are delighted to launch vital new resources for parents and teachers of children with Down syndrome in a variety of educational settings.

Our Supporting students with Down syndrome in post primary school booklet provides educators and parents alike with information and advise on how to help students with Down syndrome thrive in mainstream education settings.

 

There is information about Down syndrome, about the learning profile and about various issues which might interfere with a student’s ability to access the curriculum. Topics covered include literacy; numeracy; movement, sport and leisure; managing behaviour and social and emotional development. It also provides a pathway to Junior Cycle. With each chapter, there are suggestions of practical, manageable ways to help.

Our Supporting students with Down syndrome in special schools booklet provides parents and educators with information and advise on how to help students with Down syndrome thrive in special education settings. It also provides suggestions for intervention for children with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The move from primary to post primary school can often be difficult for any student. For a student with Down syndrome, that bit of extra thought, planning and preparation will help ease this transition – to the benefit of both the new arrival and the school. Our Supporting Students with Down syndrome transition from primary to post primary school  booklet outlines some simple initiatives and practical steps teachers and parents can take to support students.

A very useful tool to help ease the transition from primary to post primary school is preparing a ‘Getting Ready for Post Primary School – My Workbook’. Print off this workbook and personalise it with information, pictures and other useful tips and it can be used to prepare students for the move.

All four resources were launched this week at the first of our six Managing Behaviour & Transitions for the Student with Down syndrome education conferences taking place around the country.  If you are interested in attending any of our upcoming conferences, please visit here.

The booklets were produced by Down Syndrome Ireland thanks to funds raised through our HB Fundays campaign with HB Hazelbook Farm.

https://downsyndrome.ie/dsi-launches-new-education-booklets/

CCSP Scheme update

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It has been announced that the Government will be extending the CCSP scheme until August 2021. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has confirmed that anyone registered at the close of the current registration window (October 25th) will be allowed to roll over into the following year.

The Government is also extending the maximum enhanced hours to 45 hours per week and maximum standard hours to 20 hours with effect from Sept 2020.

We’ll update you when we hear more.

https://downsyndrome.ie/ccsp-scheme-update/

Down Syndrome Ireland Talent Day Football Registration

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Down Syndrome Ireland Talent Day Football Registration

Keeping fit and healthy is a fun thing to do. Refining your football skills by playing Football with peers, promises to lift the spirits and form lifetime friendships.

A unique opportunity has arisen for our Irish players with Down syndrome.

The Trisome Games 2020 are being held in Turkey from 31 March to 7 April – hosting teams with Down syndrome from over 50 countries in 8 sports.

Down Syndrome Ireland in association with the FAI, are considering entering a Futsal team to represent Ireland at this prestigious event.

For Ireland to be able to compete at an international level, we are looking for skilled, talented and athletic players. If you play football regularly and are 16 or over you are invited to complete the entry form in the link below and to attend one of the 4 open talent days listed below.

https://www.fai.ie/domestic/down-syndrome-ireland-talent-day-football-registration?fbclid=IwAR1KxVfX1HNEHH9Jdyt1Na8ZwEUw6YDx2damu75E4q2Ugax7snKYl9J3YM4

Personalised Budgets Demonstration Projects

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The HSE is looking for up to 180 adults with a disability to participate in the Personalised Budgets Demonstration Projects over the coming two years, DSI heard at a conference around the pilot scheme this week.  The closing date for expressions of interest for Phase 1 is October 16th 2019

Aisling Hunt, Personalised Budgets Project Manager, appeared at a conference hosted by the Disability Federation of Ireland and outlined the full scope of the upcoming demonstration projects.

The HSE is looking for participants who access day services, residential services, respite services, rehabilitative training and personal assistance across the country.

How is the HSE going to test the Personalised Budgets Demonstration Projects:

The HSE is looking to test three difference models;

a person managed fund
a co-managed fund with a service provider and
a broker managed fund.

The Project will run in two phases.  Phase 1 will open for expressions of interest in late August and will commence from October 2019. Phase 2 will commence from April 2020. The HSE is seeking 90 participants in both phases.

Who can apply to participate in Personalised Budgets Demonstration Projects:

As we previously outlined to our members here, only adults with a disability that are currently in receipt of HSE-funded disability services, either directly provided by the HSE or through disability service providers can apply.

Young people leaving school in 2019 and 2020 that have a commitment to a funded day service can also apply.

Who cannot participate at this time?

Children with a disability
Older Persons Services
Individuals not in receipt of HSE disability funded services, either directly provided by the HSE or through the non-statutory sector
Adults currently in receipt of HSE funded services where the associated funding cannot be unbundled

How long is the Personalised Budgets Demonstration Projects going to run for?

The project will run for two years. It is anticipated that each successful applicant will participate in the demonstration projects for at least 12 months.

What can participants spend their money on:

Participants can only spend their direct payment on specific personal supports funded by the HSE. These supports will be agreed and identified in each participants’ Personal Support Plan.
Participants cannot use the direct payment to pay for informal care from a spouse, partner or close relative.
Participants cannot use their direct payment to pay for therapeutic services which are available from the HSE in the community.
Participants cannot use their direct payment to pay for supports that would normally be provided by another Government Department or Statutory Agency e.g. transport.
Participants will be asked to keep records on what they spend their personalised budget on and how it matches what was agreed in their personal support plan.

If you would like to be considered?

If any of our members would like to be considered to participate in the Project, please contact the Personalised Budgets Demonstration Projects Office and additional information regarding participation will be forwarded to you.

The closing date for expressions of interest for Phase 1 is October 16th 2019. No applications for Phase 1 will be considered after this date. Phase 2 will commence in April 2020.

Postal Address

Personalised Budgets Demonstration Projects Office
Community Strategy and Planning
Health Service Executive
Block D, Parkgate Business Centre
Parkgate Street
Dublin D08 YFF1

Via email to – pbdemo@hse.ie

Via telephone – 01 6352885

https://downsyndrome.ie/personalised-budgets-an-update-from-the-hse-on-the-demonstration-projects/

Regional Advisory Council

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The Regional Advisory Council held its first formal meeting on September 4th in Conyngham Arms hotel Slane.

The newly formed Regional Advisory Council(RAC) is an independent self-advocacy group for adults with Down syndrome in the North East area. The 14 member council, consisting primarily of people from Meath and Louth but also some from Westmeath and Cavan, is the first of its kind within DSI’s 25 branches. Based on the successful National Advisory Council developed over a number of years, the RAC offers an opportunity for the branch members to have a structured input into the plans and activities of DSI in the region.

Speaking at the first meeting of the Council, Louth Meath branch chairperson Paul Radford said:

“We are proud to be the first branch in Ireland to commence the Regional Advisory Council initiative. We have known for a long time, as both parents and committee members, that people with Down syndrome have their own voice and opinion about how they want to live their lives. The RAC will ensure that those voices are listened to, those opinions respected and acted upon.”

Council facilitator and DSI National Advocacy Officer, Helena Connors said:

“We are delighted that the Louth Meath branch are taking the lead on the RAC programme and we hope to follow suit with other branches across our countrywide membership. Over the next two years, the Regional Advisory Council members will engage in structured self-advocacy and organisational skills training that will enable them to be confident and effective self-advocates. They will be electing their own officers and speaking out on the issues of concern to themselves and the communities in which they live. Watch this space!”

https://downsyndrome.ie/a-national-first-for-the-north-east/

Allyson Maher Helena Connors DSI council ficilitator national advocacy officer , Megan Mc Cormick ,Brendan O’ Shea and Niamh Mc Nally at the newly formed regional advisory council Launch at the Conyngham Arms Slane Photo Jimmy Weldon
Conor O’ Dowd, Fintan Bray,Mike Egan Louth Meath resource officer,Tomas Nally and Cathal Byrne at the newly formed DSI regional advisory council Launch at the Conyngham Arms Slane Photo Jimmy Weldon
Annmarie Whelan, Fintan Bray and Elearnor Murray at the newly formed DSI regional advisory council Launch at the Conyngham Arms Slane Photo Jimmy Weldon
Paul Radford Chairperson, Liam Foley,Helena Connors DSI council ficilitator national advocacy officer, Fintan Bray, Mike Egan DSI Louth , Meath resource officer at the newly formed regional advisory launch at the Conyngham Arms Slane

Keep Fit classes for teenagers and adults

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Our weekly Keep Fit classes for members age 16 and over, are resuming this Thursday in Drogheda after our August break.  Classes last one hour and cost approximately €6 per week.
A small number of places are available for the coming term.
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Sheelagh Mc Nally on 086 1539442 or email sheelaghmcnally@gmail.com

We want your opinion: Mental Health Survey

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Mental Health Survey DOWN SYNDROME LOUTH /MEATH: Young Adults/ Adults with Down Syndrome age 16 +

After representation from our members we wish to conduct a Mental Health Survey for Young Adults / Adults with Down Syndrome age 16 +
Please click on this link to complete the Survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L832FX8 

Mental health and well-being are big issues at the present time in Ireland. One in four adults will have mental health issues at some time in their life.  Young adults with Down Syndrome are no exception. They, their primary carers and their siblings are affected by these problems.

The purpose of this survey is to gather data about the specific mental health issues which may impact upon young adults with Down Syndrome. We wish to represent the experiences of parents, carers and guardians, and of the young adults themselves, both at home or in residential care. Therefore, your assistance in completing this survey is essential.

The data received will be received anonymously from each member.

The data generated from this survey will be published by Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch & Down Syndrome Ireland.  It will be used in identifying the needs of individuals and the professional services required by the Down Syndrome community. Down Syndrome Ireland can use this Information to lobby Government for these services to be implemented.

Please click on this link to complete the Survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L832FX8 

Please share this Survey with other families in the Louth Meath area you know who may not be members of the Louth Meath Branch.

The Survey will take approx 8 minutes to complete.

Education Conference 2019/2020

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Down Syndrome Ireland have organised Education Conferences for 2019/2020.

“Managing Behaviour & Transitions for the Student with Down Syndrome”

“Supporting the Child with Down Syndrome in Mainstream Primary School”

 

Please note: early booking is essential as, due to the high costs involved, the conferences will only go ahead if sufficient numbers are booked. Each Primary, Post-Primary and Special School have also been notified.

Full details and a booking facility for each conference will be available on www.downsyndrome.ie from September 1st2019.