Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida

08/24/2026

😁Take a look at the events happening this week: https://dsfflorida.org/events
💚Volunteer Opportunities here 👉https://tinyurl.com/bdfmuxkf

08/22/2026

We’re proud to celebrate FOUNDATION co-founder Camille Gardiner and her service on the Dean’s Advocacy Board!

Camille continues to carry The FOUNDATION’s mission into important community conversations—advocating for greater understanding, inclusion, and opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

Thank you, Camille, for your leadership and for representing The FOUNDATION so well!

Amid the bustle of campus and with a new academic year just days away, we were grateful to gather today with the College of Health Professions and Sciences Dean’s Advocacy Board.

These dedicated industry and community leaders, academicians and alumni bring valuable perspectives, connections and expertise to the table. As trusted advisors and ambassadors, they help advance our strategic priorities, champion our college and cultivate partnerships that strengthen our research, teaching and community impact.

Thank you to our board members for sharing your time, insights and commitment with us. We are fortunate to have you in our corner.

Manish Hirapara ’98, CEO, Peak Activity
Matt Burkhalter ’08 ’11 DPT, Associate Chief Operating Officer, Orlando Regional Medical Center
Jessica Lerner, President and CEO, Community Care Plan Sunrise (not pictured)
Victor DeRienzo, COO, Brooks Rehabilitation
Camille Gardner, Co-Founder, Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida and UCF Parent
Judy Gizinski, MPH, RHIA,’78, Retired, Senior Healthcare Administrator
Mason Moore ’97, Industry Principal, Peak Activity
Joe Myszkowski ’11 ’13 MS, Vice President of Operations, HCA Florida Osceola Hospital
Teresa Pedroza, Volunteer and UCF Parent
Regina Natera '09 PT '15 DPT, Senior Clinic Manager, CORA Physical Therapy
Ali Polejes, Owner/Manager, Richards’s Incentives
Rob Nemes ’89, Head of Corporate Accounts, EMO Serono, Inc.
Rob Truckenmiller ’00, CEO, Valeris

Also pictured: CHPS Dean Matthew Theriot and Director for Advancement Darla Talley.

08/20/2026

🐣Do you know anyone who has a little one with Down syndrome? Help us share this with a family who may benefit!

Join us to learn more about The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida and how we can support you and your family.

Meeting other families on the same journey can be life-changing! Join us for our “Welcome Baby! Welcome Family!” Breakfast, a special opportunity to connect, learn, and build community.

This program is open to families with a member from birth to age 2.

📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
📍 Citrus Club, Downtown Orlando
255 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801

👉 REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/bdh5bcvc

The FOUNDATION will have childcare available during the program. Please let us know how many children will be attending and their ages on the registration form.

08/19/2026

Way to go, Chiara! 👏 She has completed her On-The-Job Training at Burlington, gaining valuable workplace experience and putting her skills into action! During her training, Chiara was in charge of recovery throughout the store, helping ensure everything was organized and ready for shoppers.

A special thank you to Burlington and the store team for providing Chiara with this opportunity and supporting inclusive employment. 💚

📌Know a local business looking to hire? Keep us in mind! We’d love to see more of our members building careers, gaining independence, and becoming valued employees in businesses throughout our community. 👉 Learn more about our I Can! Work program: https://dsfflorida.org/ican-work

08/18/2026

Don't miss out our FOUNDATION Parent Informational Meeting!

🎤 Featured speaker: Angela Miller, parent, advocate, author, and Student Staffing Specialist with Volusia County Schools.
💬 Families can also join breakout discussions with experienced educational advocates and get answers to their questions.
📍 Summit Church | 735 Herndon Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
🍽️ Dinner provided
👧 Childcare available for current DSFF Family Members with RSVP
Register: https://tinyurl.com/2p9p8xa8

📚 Navigating Educational Services: IFSPs, IEPs & Educational Success

Join THE FOUNDATION on Thursday, August 20, from 7–9 p.m. for an informative evening to help families better understand the special education process—from early intervention and the IFSP-to-IEP transition to evaluations, eligibility, Matrix funding, advocacy, and more.

🎤 Featured speaker: Angela Miller, parent, advocate, author, and Student Staffing Specialist with Volusia County Schools.
💬 Families can also join breakout discussions with experienced educational advocates and get answers to their questions.
📍 Summit Church | 735 Herndon Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
🍽️ Dinner provided
👧 Childcare available for current DSFF Family Members with RSVP

Register: https://tinyurl.com/2p9p8xa8

Come learn, ask questions, and feel more prepared to support your child’s educational journey! 💙

08/17/2026

🍼🐣Take a look at the events happening this week: https://dsfflorida.org/events
💚Volunteer Opportunities here 👉https://tinyurl.com/bdfmuxkf

08/16/2026

📚 Navigating Educational Services: IFSPs, IEPs & Educational Success

Join THE FOUNDATION on Thursday, August 20, from 7–9 p.m. for an informative evening to help families better understand the special education process—from early intervention and the IFSP-to-IEP transition to evaluations, eligibility, Matrix funding, advocacy, and more.

🎤 Featured speaker: Angela Miller, parent, advocate, author, and Student Staffing Specialist with Volusia County Schools.
💬 Families can also join breakout discussions with experienced educational advocates and get answers to their questions.
📍 Summit Church | 735 Herndon Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
🍽️ Dinner provided
👧 Childcare available for current DSFF Family Members with RSVP

Register: https://tinyurl.com/2p9p8xa8

Come learn, ask questions, and feel more prepared to support your child’s educational journey! 💙

08/14/2026

🎤💚 Self-Advocacy starts with finding your voice!

Our Self-Advocacy Camp 14+ gives participants the opportunity to build confidence, practice speaking up for themselves, develop important life skills, and learn how to make their voices heard.

We’re proud to create spaces where individuals can learn, grow, and advocate for themselves! 💪✨

🎥 This video was created by Evan, a FOUNDATION member and intern! Thank you, Evan, for helping us share the impact of this program.

And a special thank you to our entire FOUNDATION team and volunteers for making programs like this possible! 💚

Watch the video and see Self-Advocacy Camp in action! 👇

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/13/2026

🎉 Today we’re celebrating Fay Warfle Dsff, our Educational & Employment Specialist! Her work helps individuals with Down syndrome build confidence, independence, and real-world skills.

Through our iCan! Work programs, Fay supports classes, camps, and initiatives like iCan! Go, PEERS, Self-Advocacy, Creative Confidence, and more throughout the year.

💚📚 She also leads our Partners in Education Program, working with educators to share resources and strategies that support more inclusive learning environments.

Teachers can access educational resources, professional development, our quarterly education newsletter, and complimentary registration to our Championing SUCCESS in Education Conference on October 3, 2026.

🔗 Learn more and connect your child’s teacher: https://tinyurl.com/2w2dtsnf

Happy Birthday, Fay! Thank you for all you do for our members, families, and educators! 🎂💙

08/12/2026

Back-to-School Tips from Our LEAP Program Teachers! 📚

As a new school year begins, our LEAP Summer Camp teachers are sharing tips and strategies they used during summer camp that can also be carried into the school year to support routines, learning, communication, and independence. 🌟 Check out the video for tips from Marissa Ramos and Joseph Leathead, our LEAP teachers!

A special thank you to the City of Orlando Mayor Matching Grant Program for helping make LEAP Summer Camp possible, and to our intern Evan for creating this video recap! 💙

LEAP Summer Camp (Learning Enrichment Academic Potential) wrapped u...