KWC News

How Enrichment Programs Foster Creativity and Confidence

2026-02-02T07:53:21-05:00

There's something remarkable that happens when people are given the space to explore, create, and express themselves freely. For individuals with Down syndrome and developmental disabilities, enrichment programs offer more than structured activities—they provide doorways to discovering hidden talents, building genuine connections, and developing a sense of self that radiates from the inside out. These programs create environments where creativity flourishes naturally, and confidence grows organically through meaningful experiences.

KWC offers Design with Dignity webinars

2026-01-09T16:08:00-05:00

Edmeston, New York, January 9, 2026 Join The Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome for its 2026 Lunch and Learn webinars, Design with Dignity: Inclusive Environments for Older Adults with I/DD. The sessions are set for Wednesday, Jan. 21 & Feb. 4, at noon over the Zoom platform.

As people with intellectual and developmental disabilities age, they may develop memory loss and lose mobility. Aging research indicates that environmental modifications to reduce barriers and provide access to outdoor experiences can improve the well-being and sleep patterns of people experiencing cognitive declines and dementia. The webinar series will present evidence-based strategies for inclusive environments to family members, Direct Support Professionals, program administrators, healthcare providers, and others who offer daily support to older persons with I/DD.

Registration is $20 for both sessions: Attendees must register online at / innovation-kwc/education. The webinar presenters are Dr. Adel Herge, OTD/OTR/L, FAOTA, Jefferson Elder Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, and the Center's Director, Brittany Goodrich. The fee covers all materials and registered attendees will receive the session recordings and a post-webinar toolkit. (Credit card payments are processed through Zeffy, a PCI-compliant platform).

The series will share the planning considerations that were followed by the Center, Jefferson Eldercare, researchers, direct care staff, and building professionals during the construction of Holly’s Path at Chenango House at ��Ƶ, a residential home that supports older individuals with Down syndrome. Holly’s Path was dedicated in July 2025 and is now yielding data on the beneficial impacts of outdoor therapy spaces and age-friendly environments. For more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Center on Down Syndrome offers webinars on Navigating Life Changes

2024-10-02T11:05:20-04:00

Edmeston, New York, October 2, 2024 … The Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome has opened registration for its annual fall Lunch & Learn webinar series. This year’s course, Navigating Changes of Life, will focus on helping people with intellectual disabilities cope with grief, loss, and other difficult transitions. The webinars will be held on four consecutive Wednesdays, Oct. 23 & 30, and Nov. 6 and 13, starting at noon. Registration information is at the Center’s website at kwcdownsyndrome.org.

“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience loss in similar ways to you and I but can also face unique challenges of unrecognized or prolonged grief. This may result in complex reactions as they cope with different losses throughout their life,” said Brittany Goodrich, Director of the Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome. “These losses are not just the deaths of people close to them, but can be smaller experiences such as adjustments to their daily routines, the loss of previously learned skills, changes to people filling volunteer or paid employment positions, or transitions to a new home or program that diminish connections with existing social supports.”

This webinar series will explore the components of the grief process and include age-appropriate strategies that support children, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through challenging life experiences. Arlen Grad Gaines and Linda Clark, expert presenters and career counselors, will share resources and inclusive, practical techniques that help build awareness and address the complicated impact of grief. Registered participants will receive the recorded webinar links, an electronic tool kit of resources, and a digital certificate for three Ongoing Professional Development Hours from the Center following the conclusion of the series.

The $30 registration fee covers all four webinar sessions. The webinars will be on the Zoom meeting platform and facilitated by E. Adel Herge, OTD/OTR/L, FAOTA, Jefferson Elder Care, Thomas Jefferson University, and Director Goodrich.

Featured Presenters Include:

Kennedy Willis Center, LIFEPlan & ACANY Partner to Expand Aging Services

2024-02-09T11:27:07-05:00

Edmeston, New York, February 9, 2024 … The Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome is pleased to announce an expanded partnership with LIFEPlan CCO NY and Advanced Care Alliance of New York (ACANY). Established in 1996 as a leading resource center in the areas of research, education, and life planning needs, the Kennedy Willis Center has spent the last decade advancing its knowledge and expertise in the areas of aging and dementia services for individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We want to ensure the delivery of quality care across a person’s entire lifespan–but what we consistently hear from families and providers is the unfortunate gaps in available services and training programs that support age and cognitive-related changes for older populations. Establishing readily accessible resources and collaborating with leading provider organizations like LIFEPlan CCO and ACANY will reaffirm the commitment to comprehensive and long-term quality services for people and their caregivers,” said Brittany Goodrich, Kennedy Willis Center Director.

Through this partnership, the Center will work closely with LIFEPlan and ACANY, two of New York State’s largest Care Coordination Organizations who formed a strategic partnership in 2021 that allowed for the expansion of inclusive services to its members and families through a network of highly trained human service and healthcare professionals. Today their services support over 44,000 members across 45 counties in New York State.

"We recognize the importance of person-centered services and resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Nick Cappoletti, CEO at LIFEPlan CCO and ACANY. “By partnering with the Kennedy Willis Center, we can further expand and enhance our care management and clinical support to our members with Down syndrome and those who are experiencing age-related cognitive issues. LIFEPlan and ACA are committed to forming partnerships with experts to better serve our members and their families.”

Through the agreement, the Kennedy Willis Center’s staff will maintain a call center for families and direct care staff, participate in service plan meetings, conduct baseline dementia assessments, present specialty webinars, and regularly distribute newsletters and other educational materials. Working closely with LIFEPlan and ACANY’s leadership will facilitate an efficient and effective, person-centered process for assessments, referrals, and consultations.

KWC offers Lunch and Learn webinars on aging and enrichment

2023-10-06T06:57:25-04:00

Edmeston, NY, October 5, 2023 … The Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome at ��Ƶ is hosting a four-part Lunch and Learn webinar series this autumn, Nurturing Your Best Self through Music, Art, Movement & Mindfulness. The noontime series will share useful strategies for families and direct support staff who care for older adults with Down syndrome, dementia, and other disabilities.

The series is part of the Center’s and ��Ƶ’s observance of October as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. October was first designated as a national observance by President George H.W. Bush in 1991 and has been recognized every year since. The month is focused on celebrating the abilities and accomplishments of people with Trisomy 21.

Series registration is $30 per attendee; online information and a registration link are at kwcdownsyndrome.org. The series will be facilitated by E. Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA of Jefferson Elder Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, and Brittany Goodrich, Director of the Kennedy Willis Center, the research and advocacy arm of ��Ƶ. For over four years, Jefferson Elder Care and the Kennedy Willis Center have collaborated on creating staff training modules, online content, and outreach programs to present best practices in aging for older adults with Down syndrome.

“People with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before, and the changes associated with aging may affect a person’s participation in activities that are important to them,” said Dr. Herge. “The cognitive and physical changes with aging and the onset of dementia make it particularly challenging for individuals to stay active and engaged.”

“Our noontime Lunch and Learn webinar series will explore the relationship of participating in meaningful activities with health and well-being,” added Director Goodrich. “Our knowledgeable presenters will discuss ways you may use music, art, movement and mindfulness to help the people you support stay active, involved in activities, and experience joy.”

KWC offers 2023 Summer Webinars

2023-05-10T14:10:36-04:00

Edmeston, NY, May 5, 2023 … The Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome at ��Ƶ is hosting a four-part webinar series this June, Nurturing Your Best Self through Music, Art, Movement & Mindfulness. The series will share useful strategies for families and direct support staff who care for older adults with Down syndrome, dementia, and other disabilities.

Series registration is $30 per attendee; online information and a registration link are at kwcdownsyndrome.org. The series will be facilitated by E. Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA of Jefferson Elder Care, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa., and Brittany Goodrich, Director of the Kennedy Willis Center, the research and advocacy arm of ��Ƶ. For over four years, Jefferson Elder Care and the Kennedy Willis Center have collaborated on creating staff training modules, online content, and outreach programs to present best practices in aging for older adults with Down syndrome.

“Our second annual webinar series will explore the relationship of participating in meaningful activities with health and well-being,” added Director Goodrich. “Our knowledgeable presenters will discuss ways you may use music, art, movement, and mindfulness to help the people you support to stay active, involved in activities, and experience joy.”

The sessions will be on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. and will feature:

Tips for Sharing the Holidays at Home

2022-12-30T05:23:00-05:00

To kick off the holiday season, the Kennedy Willis Center in collaboration with Jefferson Elder Care of Thomas Jefferson University, has created some helpful tips for families and friends supporting an aging loved one who is visiting home for the holidays.

KWC Gets A Facelift

2022-11-22T05:30:00-05:00

Recently, the Werber Deck at the Kennedy Willis Center was renovated and updated by Pathfinder's facilities team as part of our ongoing stewardship program.

Rebecca Langbein completes her capstone project

2020-07-23T06:42:00-04:00

The Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome continues to create career advancement opportunities for young professionals entering the human services field.

VDT Technology

2019-12-30T05:43:00-05:00

Pathfinder takes the lead in dementia care training in New York State