What We Do
Our Vision
A happy, healthy, accepting environment that enables independence for people with Down syndrome so that they may reach their potential at all stages of their lives.
Our Mission
We empower individuals with Down syndrome and their communities through education, resources, outreach and advocacy. We are committed to amplifying our collective voices and broader needs to drive meaningful change.
How do we accomplish our mission?
We work hard to deliver programs and initiatives that center Connection, Community, and Advocacy:
Provide Connection for families to professional and therapeutic services
Build Community between groups of new and existing friends
Participate in Advocacy for the broader Down syndrome community in Maryland and beyond
See our 2022 Impact
Funding
Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group, Inc., doing business as Down Syndrome Association of Maryland, is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We are funded through fundraising events, including the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk, corporate sponsors, and donations from generous supporters just like you. Our EIN is 52-1753132. Click here to Download our W-9. Click here to visit our Donate page.
Strategic Plan
A strategic plan serves as a roadmap for our future. The goal of the strategic planning process is to
provide focus and direction to the organization over the next 5 years, and improve consistency and effectiveness of support and programs.
See our UPDATED 2021-2026 Strategic Plan
Who We Are
Staff:
Amanda Mummert, Full-Time Executive Director is a disability advocate, nonprofit expert, nurse, and the only daughter of a registered nurse and a union leader. She been an executive director for three small nonprofits, focusing on accessibility, disabled rights and support, and youth empowerment. Amanda holds a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management from Notre Dame of Maryland University and has been a licensed practical nurse - LPN for nearly 20 years.
During her tenure at DSAmd, revenue has doubled and programs have quadrupled. Amanda sits on three statewide coalitions advocating for people with Down syndrome and their families: Maryland State Special Education Committee, Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council, and the Ethan Saylor Alliance which reduces harmful stigmas and improves members of law enforcement and other first responders' interactions with people who have intellectual or other developmental disabilities - I/DD.
Brittany Preston, part-time Program Coordinator is an educator with extensive experience in early childhood and elementary education, Brittany Preston is passionate about fostering inclusive learning environments for all children. She has worked extensively in Title I schools, where she developed innovative strategies to meet the diverse needs of her students.
As the proud mother of a daughter with Down syndrome, Brittany's personal journey has shaped her professional mission to advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. She actively supports the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland, working to promote acceptance, provide resources, and build community connections.
Brittany is dedicated to driving initiatives that empower individuals with Down syndrome to reach their fullest potential. She frequently engages in outreach and community workshops to ensure inclusivity and equity remain at the forefront of her work.
De’Vonte Perry, part-time Community Engagement Coordinator and Director of The Improvaneer Method in Maryland has a passion for performance, dogs, and gardening. De'Vonte earned a degree in Theatre - Performance and minored in music and communications from Salisbury University. His mission is to equip people with tools that help cultivate an abundant mindset through theater games, storytelling, experiences, collaboration, and creative group play. Additionally, De'Vonte has a passion for nonprofits and believes they can be the superheroes of the world.
Board meetings:
Meetings are open to the public and held by Zoom. If you are interested in the governance of our organization, please join us. Email director@DSAmd.org for meeting details.
Our Board follows nonprofit best practice to the best of our ability, recognizing board terms and limits, completing annual assessments and trainings, and leading the organization’s mission. See our Board Accountability Statement here to determine if this service is right for you.
If you are interested in volunteering for DSAmd, complete our Volunteer form.
Board Executive Committee:
President: Shon’Ta Timmons, Practice Manager, MedStar Health
Vice President: Brooke Williams, Marketing and Communications, MedStar Home Health
Treasurer: Connor O’Neal, CPA, Sinclair Broadcasting
Secretary: Rebecca Peters, advocate and educator
Immediate Past President: Lauren Christie, BCBA, Kennedy Krieger Institute
Immediate Past Treasurer: Steve Manger, Solution Consultant, Infor
General Board Members:
Clay Smith, M.D., Kennedy Krieger Institute - Down Syndrome Clinic
Corissa Anderson, Zumba and LaBlast-certified instructor and student; self-advocate
Hannah Blaufuss, Environmental Protection Agency
Markita Williams, Program Analyst, National Endowment for the Humanities
Melanie O’Leary, Continuous Improvement Change Manager, Sourcewell
Michelle Burns, Quality Assurance in biotech industry
Mickey Jancewski, Lecturer and Fieldwork Coordinator- Public Health Program, Health Sciences Department
History
The group was founded in 1982 by a small group of parents looking to share information and network in order to serve their children with Down syndrome. In 2015, we engaged an external facilitator and began a strategic planning process, the biggest result of which was a commitment to moving from an all-volunteer model to paid staff for continuity of service to the Down syndrome community. We began by engaging part-time contractors to carry out the mission. In 2020, we hired our first, full-time employee - another commitment to consistent and timely support of the community into the future. Currently, we support nearly 800 families, individuals, and organizations with an interest in the well-being of persons with Down syndrome. In 2022, after a planned process of internal and external focus groups and surveys, we registered our new trademarked name: Down Syndrome Association of Maryland, a name that became official on Valentine’s Day 2022.