Mission Statement:

To identify continuing needs of individuals with Down syndrome (DS), and create exploratory projects to meet those needs.

Who We Are:

We are parents, grandparents, doctors, educators, registered nurses, social workers and other business professionals interested in improving the quality of life of all people with Down syndrome. DS Action is affiliated of the National Down Syndrome Society(NDSS) and National Down Syndrome Congress(NDSC).

What We Are Doing:

DS Action holds monthly meetings in San Diego to identify the unmet needs of people with Down syndrome and to find creative solutions to meeting those needs. As an example, DS Action determined that many children with Down syndrome do not receive the same level of recommended medical and developmental care, and that parents often find it difficult to get referrals to a variety of available intervention services. To meet this need, DS Action worked to establish a Down Syndrome Center, where all children with Down syndrome would have an equal opportunity of receiving recommended evaluations, referrals and intervention services. Working with Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego, DS Action has made this idea a reality. The Down Syndrome Center is a much needed resource to the entire region of Southern California as well as neighboring jurisdictions including Mexico. DS Action is an affiliate of National Down Syndrome Society(NDSS) and National Down Syndrome Congress(NDSC).

Board of Directors:

Lisa Mersereau, Esq. is the President of DS Action. Lisa is the mother of twin toddlers, Will (who has Down syndrome) and Jake. She is a Senior Associate Attorney with the law firm Lincoln, Gustafson and Cercos and practices civil litigation.

Krysia Marquis is the Vice President - Fundaising. Krysia is a mother to a toddler, Sarah who has Down syndrome, and her younger sister, Emily. Krysia has a background in interior design and furniture sales. She also brings over 8 years of experience working on the Board of Directors for two other non - profit organizations based in San Diego.

Raylene Dickinson is the Chief Financial Officer. Raylene currently is a stay-at-home grandmother raising two of her nine grandchildren, Chris and Wyatt (who has Down syndrome).

December Noble is the Secretary. December's youngest son, DJ, has Down syndrome and is just beginning his early teen years. DJ has two older brothers to look up to, Andre & Christopher. December is the Regional Administrator for Comerica Bank. She brings us over 30 years with administrative support and public relations along with 15 years of experience working with several non-profit organizations where two were board positions. She was just awarded recently the "Greatest Treasure Award" from Junior Achievement of San Diego County for her outstanding support and volunteer time.

Cathy Bishop is mother to Jennifer, a 35 year-old woman with Down syndrome. Cathy is retired from her previous career as a software development project manager for a local military defense contractor.

Molly Coughlin, R.N., M.N. is a clinical nurse specialist currently working in school health at the Alcott Infant-Toddler Program, San Diego Unified School District.

Nancy Deutsch, LCSW is a social worker for San Diego City Schools, as well as private practice.

Joshua Greenstein, M.D., is in private practice and is a board-certified specialist in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. He currently works with the Palomar Medical Group.

Erin Grettenberger is a special education teacher for San Diego City Schools.

Michael Hank is a Professional Land Surveyor and a principal in the firm Southern California Survey. He is a private pilot and a Lead Representative for the FAA safety program.

Sharla Hank mother to Adam, a toddler who has Down syndrome. She is also an American Sign Language Instructor at FasTracKids. Previously, Sharla was a Vice President with Union Bank of California, where she managed the ATM Department.