The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) has announced that nurses can now receive up to 6.25 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) contact hours through its online clinical education programme, CARE Down Syndrome, expanding accredited training aimed at improving care for adults with Down syndrome.
What the change means for clinicians
CARE Down Syndrome was already offering continuing medical education (CME) credit through Penn State College of Medicine. With accreditation through the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing at St. John Fisher University, the programme now provides a nursing credit pathway, making the coursework more directly applicable to practising nurses’ professional development and licensure requirements.
"This milestone reflects the ongoing commitment at NDSS to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to provide exceptional care for adults with Down syndrome,"
The NDSS highlighted that the addition will expand access to evidence-based, person-centred clinical resources for nurses as well as physicians.
Why this matters
Specialized continuing education for clinicians is a recognised way to close knowledge gaps about the health needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. NDSS and its partners say the accreditation supports workforce development and health equity by helping nurses gain targeted skills for this population.
- Credit available: Up to 6.25 ANCC contact hours for nurses
- Existing offering: CME credit through Penn State College of Medicine
- Accreditor for nursing credits: Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing at St. John Fisher University
Programme partners and aims
The NDSS named the Golisano Institute as its nursing accreditation partner and quoted leaders underscoring the link between clinician education and improved outcomes for people with Down syndrome. Dr. Holly Brown, executive director of the Golisano Institute, framed the collaboration as part of the institute’s mission to strengthen the healthcare workforce for people with developmental disabilities.
NDSS CEO Kandi Pickard is quoted in the release describing the expansion as a way to make it easier for nurses to access trusted, evidence-based learning while reinforcing specialised, person-centred care.
Practical implications for nurses and employers
Nurses looking to meet continuing education requirements can now include CARE Down Syndrome modules in their professional development plans where ANCC contact hours are accepted. Employers and clinical educators may consider integrating the programme into staff training, particularly in settings that serve adults with Down syndrome.
| Offering | Credit |
|---|---|
| CARE Down Syndrome (nursing) | Up to 6.25 ANCC contact hours |
| CARE Down Syndrome (physicians) | CME through Penn State College of Medicine |
The announcement is a paid press release distributed through Globe Newswire on July 15, 2026. For details on course registration, pricing and eligibility, clinicians should consult the NDSS and CARE Down Syndrome programme pages for the most current information.
