Blog

A New Reality for PREP

A lot has changed since we sent out our last e-newsletter in March, and we wanted to provide you with an update on what life looks like at PREP these days. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we have now entirely shifted to a new remote service delivery model. This has included putting together resource packages, delivering sessions remotely, providing guided activities to do at home, and checking-in with families through videoconferencing. While we recognize that this is not an ideal delivery model for many of our students, we have been amazed at how well our students and families have adapted to this new reality.

We are starting to receive many questions about what PREP will look like over the summer and Fall, especially in light of the new reopening plan announced by the Alberta Government this week. We will continue to monitor things closely over the next few weeks and months, and our number one priority will continue to be the safety of our members as we make some decisions about what service delivery could look like. As a general guideline, we will begin to explore in-person services again if we believe we are able to do it effectively while maintaining safe social distancing measures as directed by Alberta Health Services. In the meantime, we will continue to offer remote service delivery options and explore new and innovative ways of providing our families with the support they need during this time. If you have any questions, concerns, or recommendations, please feel free to reach out to our Executive Director Curtis Slater at cslater@prepsociety.ca.

PREP’s New Service Delivery Model

We have had an exciting few weeks as our staff and members have had their first few remote delivery sessions and received their resource packages. We still have some capacity to provide support to families who are still interested and we have also added a few new options for families who would like to try some services out first before committing to anything bigger. If you are interested in receiving any of the services below, please contact your family support liaison or email Navdeep Khaira if you have any questions:

• Individual Reading Session (45 minutes – $50)
• Reading Consult (1 hour – $75)
• Reading Package ($250)
• Individual Speech or OT Session (45 minutes – $120; 30 minutes – $80)
• Speech or OT Consult (1 hour – $120)
• Speech or OT Resource Package ($250)

PREP Events

• ECS Transitioning into Kindergarten – 
  May 14th, 1:00pm – 1:45pm. Join PREP’s Education Coordinator (Natalie Pentney) and Family Support Liaison (Navdeep Khaira) via Zoom to learn more about your child’s transition to Kindergarten and have your questions answered. To register, please contact Natalie Pentney at npentney@prepsociety.ca.
• Kindergarten Transition to Grade 1 – May 13th, 1:00pm – 1:45pm. Join PREP’s Education Coordinator (Natalie Pentney) and Family Support Liaison (Navdeep Khaira) via Zoom to learn more about your child’s transition to Grade 1 and have your questions answered. To register, please contact Natalie Pentney at npentney@prepsociety.ca.
• Connecting with Parents and Students – This can be a difficult and lonely time for many of our families and students, so our Family Support and Education Support teams would like to connect with both our parent and student members through Zoom meetings in May. To register please contact Natalie Pentney at npentney@prepsociety.ca. 
  *Please note meetings will be limited to 45 minutes and 10 participants. PREP Parents
  Tuesday, May 5th,10:30am – 11:15am
  Tuesday, May 5th,1:00pm – 1:45pm
  Wednesday, May 6th, 4:00pm – 4:45pm

  PREP Students
  Grades 7-9 – Wed, May 20th, 2:00pm – 2:45pm
  Grade 4-6 – Thurs, May 21st, 2:00pm – 2:45pm
  Grade 10-12 – Fri, May 22nd, 2:00pm – 2:45pm

Community Events

• Ups and Downs – 13+ Hula Palooza Dance – At Home Edition! – May 22: 7:00pm – 8:30pm. Things are changing all around us, but one thing that’s for sure is that we still know how to DANCE! Join us for this *Tacky Hawaiian Tourist Theme* Hula Palooza Dance – AT HOME EDITION! For more information and to register, please click here.
• Ups and Downs – Ages 6-12 KeepingUp: PJ Party! – May 23: 7:00pm – 8:00pm. Join us for a quick hello and show us your favorite PJ’s. Bring a cup of hot chocolate and your best teddy. Then we will get to watch a fun bedtime story! (But we promise we won’t make you go to bed right after the story!). For more information and to register, please click here.

$25,000 Grant

PREP is very grateful to the Calgary Foundation for awarding us with a $25,000 grant to support the expansion and enhancement of our PREP Teen Program starting in the Fall. We will be using this money to explore new ways to best prepare teens with Down syndrome for the transition into adulthood as they begin to explore employment, post-secondary education, volunteer opportunities, and an increase in independence. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting program in the weeks and months ahead.

Impact of COVID-19

Like many organizations across Calgary, COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on PREP’s budget as we look to the future and face a new reality. Fundraisers, sponsorships, grants, and major donations are all being reassessed while PREP continues to provide services and support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families in Calgary.

Many of you have asked how you can help PREP during this time, which has been greatly appreciated. If you are considering a donation to PREP, we have an exciting opportunity through Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink (BFK) as part of the Calgary Shaw Charity Classic Foundation. As an official charity partner, all donations through BFK are matched up to 50%! To qualify for a matching donation, please use the link below. Thank you for your generosity during this time, it is greatly appreciated.