2025 Statewide Learning Conference and Self-Advocate Retreat

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Minneapolis Marriott Northwest | 7025 Northland Drive Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

This Statewide Learning Conference is for parents, grandparents, siblings and caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome.

The Self-Advocate Retreat, which runs in conjunction with the conference, is for teens and adults with Down syndrome. You must be a high school freshman or older to attend the retreat.

Conference Fees

CLICK HERE to register

Statewide Conference Fees
(Breakfast & Lunch included)

$125 Early Bird Registration through February 28th
$150 Registration - March 1st - March 24th
$200 Late Registration - March 25th - April 4th, subject to availability
$250 Onsite Registration - subject to availability

Self-Advocate Retreat Fees
(Breakfast & Lunch included)

$85 Early Bird Registration available through February 28th
$110 Registration - March 1st - March 24th
No Late or Onsite Registration available

The self-advocate retreat is open to individuals with Down syndrome 9th grade and older.
*There will be plenty volunteers at the event, however if your loved one with Ds needs a PCA or support to attend an event like this, we’d love to have them. Just let us know and we will make accommodations for the PCA/support person to attend.

Hotel Information

Minneapolis Marriott Northwest | 7025 Northland Drive North Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428

Click HERE to book your room

$134 per night, subject to availability
Book by March 10th

Statewide Learning Conference Schedule At-A-Glance

8:00am: Registration & Breakfast
9:00am: Breakout Session 1
10:00am: Breakout Session 2
11:00am: Breakout Session 3
12:00pm: Lunch & Keynote Program
1:15pm: Breakout Session 4
2:15pm: Breakout Session 5
3:15pm: Breakout Session 6 & Minnesota's Got Talent: Self-Advocate Talent Show
4:30pm: If you would like to continue to network or visit, we will be gathering in the bar/restaurant.

Keynote Speakers

Opening Keynote: Rev. Leslie Neugent
Leslie Neugent is the mother of two sons. Her youngest, JJ, a 27-year-old man diagnosed with Down syndrome, ASD, and a host of medical challenges including seizures, sleep apnea, and dysphasia. Her journey as JJ’s mother led her to get ordained as a minister at 50 years old. Upon ordination, she launched a ministry called Parables that celebrates the gifts of all. She named the ministry Parables, because JJ has been her greatest parable—the greatest, most challenging teacher in her life. Leslie hosted a highly regarded caregiver self-care series for DSAMn during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited to welcome her back!

Lunch Keynote: Dr. Kishore Vellody
Dr. Kishore Vellody completed his medical degree at the University of Illinois and his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Dr. Vellody is a pediatric hospitalist at the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and is the Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania which sees over 600 children and 200 adults per year making it one of the busiest Down syndrome clinics in the world. Vellody is also the Self-Advocate Liaison for the NDSC Board, a member of the NDSC Medical Committee, and Board Member of the Ds Medical Interest Group (DSMIG-USA).

Breakout Sessions

Public Policy and Organizational Updates from:

Tonia Teasley, CEO of Pacer (Education)
Sara Grafstrom, Senior Director of State & Federal Policy Director at ARRM (Housing)
Naveh Eldar, CEO of The Arc Minnesota (Disability Services)
Stephanie Meredith, Genetic Support Foundation (Grassroots Advocacy)

Medical Care Information and Updates from:

Sara Elsbecker, M Health Fairview (Birth to 12 Guidelines)
Dr. Stella Evans, Children’s Minnesota (Caregiver Fatigue)
Drs. Tori Bahr and Peter Ladner, Gillette Children’s (Med-Peds/Transition)
Dr. Asitha Jayawardena, Children’s Minnesota (Sleep/Otolaryngology)
Katherine Service, Mass. Depart. of Developmental Services, retired (Ds & Aging)

Additional Topics & Sessions Include:

Strength in Self-Care with Mandy Wannarka, Mindful Wellbeing
Assistive Technology with Paul Sanft, Pacer
Speech & OT with Megan Thorkelson, SunnyDays Therapy
Employment with Luke Daily, Regional Manager, Vocational Rehab, MO
Early Years/Early Learners Parent Workshop
School Age IEP Workshop
Checklist to Turning 18
Meet DSAMn's New Senior Director of Adult Programs
Ask a Family Connector
Resource Fair
Minnesota's Got Talent, Self-Advocate Talent Show (Parents are invited!)

Self Advocate Retreat Sessions

The Self-Advocate Retreat, which runs in conjunction with the conference, is for teens and adults with Down syndrome. You must be a high school freshman or older to attend the retreat. This year's topics include:

Assistive Technology Show and Tell with our friends from Pacer: Check out some of the latest technology that is helping teen and adults to be more independent.
Career Exploration and Goals with Luke Daily, Voc Rehab Coach and Leader
Dance w/ Young Dance
First Aid/Being Safe at Home with our friends from Gillette and the Red Cross
Owning Your Story and Navigating Challenges with Addie Loerzel, Self-Advocate
Performing Arts with Jac from DSAMn
Self-Defense and Martial Arts with Bill Gamble, Black Belt in Taekwondo
Speed "Friending" (like Speed Dating but with goal of meeting new people/making friends) with Tracy from DSAMn
Theater with Lizz & Shelby from DSAMn

We are pleased to announce two very special guests, Kjersten and Freddy Gaudreau of the Minnesota Wild, will be joining us as emcees for our Minnesota's Got Talent Self-Advocate Talent Show.

Teens and adults are also invited to join us for our FREE Self-Advocate Spring Gala the night before the conference.

Self-Advocate Spring Gala

Free Registration CLICK HERE to register

Registration is required, to speed up the line to check-in. A designated caregiver is required to check-in and check-out each attendee.

We are so excited to continue the well attended Self-Advocate Gala! If you'll be joining us, you can expect a night of desserts, dancing, friends and fun!

When: Friday, April 4th 7:00 - 9:00pm
Where: Fireside Room at the Minneapolis Marriot Northwest, 7025 Northland Drive, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
Who: Individuals with Down syndrome high school age through adult
What to Wear: Cocktail Attire Suggested! This is your chance to dress up if you want!

Additional details: The event will have desserts and refreshments. Attendees should plan on eating before the event. This event is for self-advocates only. There will be plenty volunteers at the event, however if your loved one with Ds needs a PCA or support to attend an event like this, we’d love to have them. Just let us know and we will make accommodations for the PCA/support person to attend.
Parents & Caregivers, The Wadsworth Restaurant and Bar is in the hotel about 200 ft. from the event. We encourage you to meet up, have a bite to eat or a drink together.

Self-Advocate Retreat Schedule At-A-Glance

8:00am: Registration & Breakfast (Combined with Caregiver Conference)
8:45pm: SA Retreat Check in, Lower Level
9:00am: Welcome + Session 1
10:05am: Session 2
11:10am: Session 3
12:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm: Session 4
2:05pm: Session 5
2:55pm: Transition Upstairs to Ballroom
3:15pm: Minnesota's Got Talent SA Talent Show
4:30pm: Parents/Caregivers pick up in Ballroomd

Scholarship & Financial Support

The Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota is dedicated to our promise to provide high quality, affordable programming and services for ALL individuals and families with Down syndrome regardless of income. Most programs are free or highly subsidized for all. Our new sliding-fee program provides additional assistance by providing a standard reduction for those programs that do have fees.
The scale is based on published Federal Poverty Guidelines and is as follows:

Households at or below 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines are fully scholarshipped (100%) discount.
Households between 200 – 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a 50% discount.
Households between 250 – 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines receive a 25% discount.

To register using sliding scale for the 2024 Statewide Learning Conference, please complete this form. We will respond back you with additional information.

Documentation is not required but may be requested if verification is necessary.

Documentation and invoices can also be provided if submitting for assistance or a waiver through another organization.

Fees should not be a barrier to programming for any family. If you do not qualify for the sliding fee scale, but still need assistance to access programming we will work with you. Please email ashleyazar@dsamn.org for more information.