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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marilyn Blanche
Diane Cerep
Stephanie Cerep
Saadia Cicerone
Lynn Domenici
John Egan
Heidi Fanion
Allan Garcia
Jill Gauthier
Katie Lowe
Sherri Marcantonio-Horn
Steve Muldoon
Robin Barringer-Strang
Christopher Waldeck
Siegfried M. Pueschel, MD, MPH, PhD,
Honorary Board Member
Claudia M. Lowe,
Coordinator
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Our Mission
The Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island (DSSRI) is dedicated to promoting the rights, dignity and potential of all individuals with Down syndrome through advocacy, education, public awareness, and support. We offer membership meetings (open to the public), newsletters, a lending library, public awareness activities and conferences, as well as support and personal assistance on educational and medical issues.
Information
and support for parents
DSSRI provides
information and support on medical and educational issues associated
with raising a child with Down syndrome. We share this information
with parents, family members, professionals and other individuals
through quarterly informational meetings with speakers or panels,
a quarterly newsletter, a comprehensive library, conferences,
and special events. More than 500 individuals and organizations
receive our newsletters. Attendance at our monthly informational
meetings range from 25 to 50 members and other interested persons.
DSSRI also provides support
on an individual, parent-to-parent basis. DSSRI provides a free
New Parent Package, which includes books about Down syndrome,
pamphlets, newsletters, and DSSRI membership information. The
New Parent Committee provides in-person and telephone support,
and hosts social activities where new parents can network with
other parents.
We are constantly updating
and expanding our lending library, since research and medical
information related to Down syndrome continually changes. Our
library is the most current and comprehensive on this subject
in the state.
Public awareness
and advocacy in the community
DSSRI also serves
as a resource for professionals interested in parental concerns.
We provide speakers to schools, colleges, professional organizations
and civic/fraternal groups.
DSSRI also advocates in
the service system and in the community for all individuals with
mental retardation and developmental disabilities and their families.
DSSRI is represented on the RI Arc Board of Directors, and is
affiliated with the Arc of the U.S. In 1991 we were chosen as
the National Parent Group of the Year by the National Down Syndrome
Congress.
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