Community Health Improvement Program for Intellectual Disabilities

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Chip ID! We’re grateful for our community, your support, and the chance to help you stay connected. Enjoy the day with good food and great people!🦃

Comment what you are thankful for!

11/25/2025

Need a fun, festive, and healthy dish to serve this Thanksgiving? 🦃🫑🥕🥒

Check out our video (or visual recipe!) to learn how to make your own veggie turkey platter. It’s colorful and easy. Something everyone will be gobbling about! 🦃

11/21/2025

New study opportunity! We are seeking caregivers of people with Down syndrome for a one-time focus group study about exercise participation.

11/20/2025

Surprise! CHIP Chat Episode 3 is here, and we are now officially on Spotify.

In this episode, we are excited to be joined by Dr. Lauren Ptomey, founder of CHIP-ID. Dr. Ptomey discusses how she began working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, what inspired the creation of CHIP-ID, and the process involved in developing a research study from start to finish.

If you liked the episode, be sure to turn on notifications, subscribe, and share it with your friends. Thank you for listening and supporting CHIP Chat!
https://open.spotify.com/show/1bZnbmEAqD8ieRiL4F2HpH?si=Cw3tfIZvTcqIclsTE0SHgw

11/20/2025

In today's staff spotlight, we are highlighting Brian!

What is your position? Brian is an Assistant Professor with the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

How many years have you been working here? I been working here since March 2020 (~5.5 years)

What led you to this career path? My career path was shaped by a lifelong passion for learning and exercise — I was thrilled to discover in college that I could combine my love of exercise and science!

What’s your favorite workday snack? To keep my energy up during the day, I always bring an apple to work — it’s my go-to snack.

11/18/2025

TIP TUESDAY: Today, we’re focusing on getting your steps in and staying active by following our social media manager around the happiest place on earth—Disney! ✨

Katie’s Tips for a Fun and Healthy Disney Vacation:
- Start your day early to beat the crowds.

- Enjoy a few rides, then take a break to grab something to eat. It is important to stay fueled and give our body energy throughout the day! 🥗🍧

- Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a step tracking device. You will be doing a lot of walking! 👟

- Make sure you bring a water bottle to stay hydrated! 💧

11/13/2025

Today we are highlighting Lauren Keller!

What is your position? Registered Dietitian and Research Assistant

How many years have you been working here? 7 years

What led you to this Career Path? She has always enjoyed cooking and experimenting with healthy meals, which led Lauren to a career in nutrition. Working in research has allowed her to help others learn about similar topics and put them into practice to lead a healthier lifestyle!

What's your favorite Workday Snack? Lauren’s favorite workday snacks are a Pistachio chocolate protein bar and strawberries

11/10/2025

🌟 Community Talent Showcase – Calling All Performers! 🌟
Do you sing, dance, act, paint, or have a unique talent to share?
We’re inviting individuals with intellectual disabilities to shine on stage or display their artwork at our 2026 February Talent Showcase!

This is a give-back event for the community celebrating creativity, confidence, and joy.

To sign up to perform click here: kuadrc.org/bold-talentform

11/07/2025

We’re helping individuals with intellectual disabilities live healthier, more independent lives!

From fun cooking classes to fitness activities, our programs promote health, confidence, and inclusion.

Your support helps us expand these life-changing opportunities and train future health professionals to provide compassionate, inclusive care. 🌟

Together, we can build a healthier, more inclusive future for all! 💛

PLEASE SHARE TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

LEARN MORE OR DONATE: https://launchku.org/campaigns/2025-chip-in-for-chip-id-community-health-improvement-program-for-individuals-with-intellectual-disabilities

11/03/2025

🌟 Are you ready to SPEAK UP? 🌟

We’re excited to be part of this year’s SPEAK Up Conference, where we’ll join other amazing speakers in empowering self-advocates, families, and caregivers to use their voices and make a difference! 🗣️

🌟 Are you ready to SPEAK UP? 🌟

The SPEAK Up Conference is all about empowering self-advocates, family members, and caregivers to use their voices and make a difference. 🗣️ Whether it’s in your community, at work, or with policymakers — your voice matters!

This year, KCDD and Down Syndrome Innovations are teaming up to offer two tracks at this year’s conference! We are offering a Self-Advocate Track and a Parent/Caregiver Track. The Self-Advocate Track will provide panels and hands-on workshops to give self-advocates the tools they need and will teach them how to be effective self-advocates. They will specifically learn how to ask for accommodations, find a job that best fits their interests/passions, set goals, be independent, and bring their ideas to life. The Parent and Caregiver Track will provide panels and trainings to help their self-advocates succeed and live their best lives possible. They will learn about all the available supports they will need for their self-advocates and to take care of themselves.

Don’t miss it! Sign up today 👉 https://form.jotform.com/251474110377150
☀️ Agenda: https://www.kcdd.org/speakup2025

📅 [11/8/25 from 8 am - 3 pm]
📍 [KU Edwards Campus - 12610 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66213]

10/30/2025

👋Let’s meet Keith Smith

💼 What is your position: Senior Research Associate
as a Senior Research Associate for the Brain Health Program for Down Syndrome and the Metabolism and Alzheimer’s Disease Research Laboratory at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. In this role, I bring technical expertise to studies that explore how metabolism and brain function intersect, with the goal of improving outcomes for people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.

📆How many years have you been working here?
He has been at the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at KUMC for two years now.

🌎 What led you to this Career Path?
He has always been deeply curious about life. How it works, why it changes, and how we can use that knowledge to make a difference! Biology gives me the opportunity to turn my curiosity into a purpose. My motivation to improve lives is also personal. My brother Randy has Down syndrome, and his experiences have shaped Keiths passion for understanding and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That’s why the work we do here at the Community Health Improvement Program for Intellectual Disabilities feels more like a calling than a career.

🫐 🥝 What's your favorite Workday Snack?
Keiths favorite workday Snacks are coffee and fruit.