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Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network




New and Expectant

Parents






Baby Photos of our SVDSN members

Welcome New Members

At the Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network (SVDSN), our mission is to benefit the lives of individuals with Down syndrome through education, individual and family support, public awareness, and advocacy.


Welcoming a new member into your family is a wonderful experience filled with excitement, nervousness, joy, and love. If you’ve come to this section, you have likely learned that your baby has or will have Down syndrome and you want to learn more about what this means for you, your family, and your new baby. 


Our Expectant Parent section provides information and resources specific to those who are expecting a baby with Down syndrome.


Sometimes, parents find out that their baby has Down syndrome after birth. The New Parent section shares information about our New Parent Packet and our New Parent Support Network.


Please reach out anytime if you are looking for information that you are unable to find.  We’d be happy to help!  By phone at 408.673.0775 (Liz Bongiorno - Family Support Coordinator) or by email at svdsnwelcome@gmail.com.

Visit our Membership Page

Become a member of the Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network, and we’ll be sure you have the most current information and resources about Down syndrome. It’s free and easy to sign up!   Click here


Recommended Information

'A Promising Future Together' 

A Guide for New and Expectant Parents by NDSS 


National booklet "Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis"

Latest medical and developmental information about people with Down syndrome as well as local and national resources, pregnancy options and helpful visuals and graphics.

Click here for SVDSN's Recommended Books List. 

Expectant Parents

If you are reading this, it is likely that you were just given the news that your baby may have Down syndrome. You may be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. We understand the many emotions that you may be experiencing right now. It is normal to mourn the loss of the baby that you thought you were going to have. We have been where you are, and we are here for you. You are not alone in this journey.

Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network was created by parents of children with Down syndrome. One of our missions is to support families with information and encouragement. For many parents, the single most helpful thing that they did after receiving the news of their child's diagnosis was to talk to other parents of children with Down syndrome.

Parents First Call Program: SVDSN has trained parent volunteers, each of whom has a child with Down syndrome. We are available anytime. Each volunteer is more than willing to answer questions and offer support. If you would like to talk with someone or receive our packet of information for expectant parents, please call our Family Support Coordinator Liz Bongiorno at 408-673-0775. You can also email us at svdsnwelcome@gmail.com. 

In additions, SVDSN offers a support meeting for expectant parents. You can meet and connect with fellow expectant parents during your pregnancy.

The weeks ahead will likely be filled with many emotions as you travel this unexpected path. We encourage you to remain mindful of the following information during this emotional time.

    • Quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent years due to significant advances in the quality of and access to medical care and educational support.
    • Some of the written and word-of-mouth information that is available on Down syndrome is outdated and inaccurate. Make sure that any information you consider is from a recent and reliable source, and be sure you are well informed.
    • It is essential to continue good prenatal care throughout the remainder of your pregnancy and surround yourself with people who are supportive of you and your child.
Be gentle with yourself. Each individual processes the information about their child's diagnosis in a different way. You may feel many different emotions, and that is natural.



New Parents

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

We realize you may be experiencing a myriad of emotions now that you've received the news that your baby has Down syndrome. As you begin this journey, we want you to know that we are here to offer you our encouragement, experience, and support.

Parents First Call Program - Our trained parent volunteers are available anytime; whether that means meeting you in the hospital, at your home, on the phone, or through email. We have a New Parent Resource Packet and some useful books that we'd love to share with you, as well as answer any questions or concerns you might have. These resources can also be mailed to your home.

Please feel free to contact our Family Support Coordinator, Liz Bongiorno at 408-673-0775 or svdsnwelcome@gmail.com. Our team will be happy to answer questions and send resources. You can also sign up to be a member of our group. It’s free, and if you are interested, we will connect you with one of our trained parent volunteers. We also offer our 'First Connect Program' where you can receive support and guidance from a parent mentor during your baby's first year, as well as monthly support meetings with occasional guest speakers. We hope you take advantage of these opportunities and look forward to meeting you and your family one day soon!

Our Community Partners

Family photographer with 15 years experience as an Aide with special needs kiddos!
Supporting the SVDSN Taiko program
Programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their peers and reaches new families through The Congratulations Project.

Our Fiscal agent 



Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network

 SVDSN is a program of Valley Health Foundation who is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 2400 Clove Drive, San Jose CA 95128

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