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Personal Success Program Seminar — January 14, CLC

psp flyerAn information session describing the Personal Success Program (PSP)  at the College of Lake County will be held on Monday, January 14, 2013 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.  The meeting will take place at the Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills (1120 South Milwaukee Avenue.   The event is free, but pre-registration is required.  The program brochure is here. 

PSP is an initiative of  The Workforce and Professional Development Institute (WPDI) at the College of Lake County with vocational offerings for individuals with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.  The aim is to gain skills that may lead to entry-level employment.  Many classes are co-taught by a content expert and a special education teacher.

Programs offered this spring include Career Exploration, Keyboarding, Food Service, Computer Skills and Childcare.  New programs this spring include Pet Care and Retail Skills.

For more information on the PSP program contact the WPDI at 847–543-2615.

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Did You Get A Ligas Award Letter? IAMC Teleconference

Reta Hoskin, Assistant Director for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS) will join the Illinois Association of Microboards and Cooperatives for a conference call today.  ( Tuesday, Dec 11, 2012)  The call will take place  from 11:00am till noon.  The call is targeted at those individuals who may have recently received an award letter resulting from the Ligas Consent Decree.  These families face important decisions, and the call is meant to help them understand their options and the processes involved.    The call is open to anyone with an interest in this process. 

The call-in number is 888-494-4032;   Code: 1879310092.

IAMC organizers have requested that attendees submit questions in advance if possible so that Ms. Hoskin can be prepared, and time be effectively used.

For more information contact Vicki Niswander, Executive Director, IAMC, 217-586-4552.  vniswander@gmail.com

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SEDOL Transition Students Open S’Mart Store

The SEDOL Mart aka S’Mart, has been in operation since August and is seeing many loyal customers as well as new clients from the SEDOL community. Most of all, they are seeing the progress the SEDOL transition students are making in learning how to run their own business. The students are learning the entire process from ordering materials for the handmade items to the business side of the operation that shows the profits and expenses.

One student proudly announced that he has an interview at a local business and felt his experience at the S’Mart helped him immensely.

The shop offers coffee, snacks, and gifts. Many of the items are handmade by students who embroider shirts, bags, and book covers with the school logos. They have made bird feeders and offer birdhouses for sale. Handmade scarves are for sale at an incredible price just in time for the holidays.

The shop is open from 7:45 am to 3:00 pm on school days and is located at Gages Lake School with a separate entrance for the shop. Don’t miss the opportunity to support the business efforts of SEDOL students while getting a start on your holiday shopping.

(Note:  Article reprinted with permission from SEDOL December Newsletter, Glenda Mill, Editor.)

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Holiday Hearts Appeal — NorthPointe Resources

The Annual Holiday Hearts Appeal has begun at NorthPointe Resources in Zion.   The Appeal provides opportunities for donors to support individuals and programs at NorthPointe in a variety of ways.   These include:  providing gifts for individuals, sponsoring the annual holiday party, generalized support and volunteering with NorthPointe.

Holiday Gift giving can be done on a personalized or general basis.  Often this holiday gift is the only gift the individual receives in a year.  Many consumers no longer have family supports and most have extremely limited social support circles.  Donors preferring that “personal touch” can receive an individual’s wishlist from NorthPointe and select a gift specifically for that person.

Alternately, $25 gift cards from a variety of stores are welcome.  At this writing, NorthPointe is short 45 gift cards.  Anyone wishing to donate a card may send it directly to Lisa Cummings at the address shown below. (See the flyer *below* for suggestions.)

Gift receipt is requested by December 14th in order to be ready for the Holiday Party.

The Holiday Hearts Party for NorthPointe consumers (clients) will be held on December 21.  A variety of sponsorship levels are available and they are recruiting volunteer elves to pass out gifts.

Finally the Holiday Hearts Appeal renews its request for donations and volunteers year round to support programs that are underfunded, and further weakened by the slow payment predicament we have in the State of Illinois.

NorthPointe Resources provides a full range of services for individuals with developmental disability and/or Mental Illnesses.  These services include Residential Services (full-time and intermittent), Vocational Services and Business Services.   Northpointe is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax-deductible.

For more information on NorthPointe and the Holiday Hearts Appeal contact Lisa Cummings, lcummings@NorthPointeResources.org, 847-731-5708.  Mail gift cards to her attention at NorthPointe Resources, 3441 Sheridan Road  Zion, IL 60099.  Click on the images below to enlarge the page.

 

 

 

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Valor Games Midwest Registration Begins

Registration for the Second Annual Valor Games Midwest began this week.  The games are for disabled veterans and wounded, ill and injured active duty service members.  The games will be held  August 13-15 at various Chicago venues including Soldier Field and US Cellular Field.  Events include shot put, discus, cycling, archery, power-lifting and indoor rowing.  Applications will be reviewed and participants will be notified of their acceptance for the competition by July 15.

Last year, many of the 100+ participants had little or no previous experience.  In addition, applicants may apply for a 4-day introductory sports camp before the games.  The camp is sponsored by   the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. All costs for Valor Games participants are covered, with the exception of transportation to and from Chicago. Those that participate in the camp will receive a travel stipend.

Organizers are seeking additional volunteers and sponsors.   Other events during the games will include a (Careerbuilder) job fair, veterans resource fair and more.  Current supporters include U.S. Paralympics, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Chicago Park District.

For more information contact:  Susan Katz, Director of Paralympic & Disability Sport, (312) 861-4848, skatz@worldsportchicago.org

 

 

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SSI Job Funding Cuts Still Loom

There is still time to write to your congressperson in support of renewing funding for the PASS/WIPA program.  See our story dated March 22, 2012.

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WIPA, PABSS Funding Threatened: Write Your Congressperson

There is growing concern that Congress will not reauthorize funding for two important Social Security programs that directly affect those with disabilities who wish to work.  These services are very important for SS Disability Beneficiaries aged 14-64 who are working or want to work.

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program helps beneficiaries understand their options for work.  The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) is the agency serving Lake and McHenry Counties.  The program could end as soon as June 30, 2012 if funding is not authorized.  This will harm the ability of disabled individuals to develop options for more independence and engagement.

The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program provides counseling and advocacy for working individuals who may need assistance in the workplace.  Equip for Equality is the PABSS agency serving Lake and McHenry Counties.  Services could end by September 30, 2012.

Concerned individuals are urged to contact their Congressional Representatives letting them know you support re-authorization.

Contact information can be found at this site.  If you would like assistance or need more information please contact Ron Mulvaney, WIPA Program Director, IATP, 217/836-0061, rmulvaney@iltech.org .

 

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Grayslake (D127) conducts Parent Information Night for Transition Students

What happens after High School for students receiving Special Education services?   Grayslake Community School District (D127) is sponsoring a session to help parents learn the answers.  The meeting will be on March 21 from 7-8:30pm at Grayslake North High School, Room B162.

Speakers include:

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CLC Jobapalooza Set for March 8, 2012

Job Fair for those 15-21The Jobapalooza is a job fair for students between 15 and 21 years of age.  Employers will be interviewing for seasonal, part-time and other workers.  It will be held at the College of Lake County in Grayslake on March 8, 2012 from 6pm-8pm, in the Physical Education Building.

Last year’s fair was packed with applicants, and this year job-seekers are encouraged to prepare for the fair by researching the employers and jobs in which they are interested.  Applicants should concentrate meeting on those employers, be dressed professionally, and have resumes ready for the job.

To find list of employers and positions to be filled is at http://www.collegecentral.com/jobapaloozaexpo/  (Click on Employer Profile Search.  On the next page click on Search.  All employers will be displayed. You must then research each employer.)

For more information contact the College of Lake County, Career and Placement Services, (847) 543-2059.

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First Friday Entrepreneur’s Forum

The February teleconference/webinar  of the Self Employment Resource Network (SERN) will take place on Friday, February 3, 2012 from 9am-10am. Directed at promoting self-employment among those with disabilties, the conference will feature the following speakers:

Ron Mulvaney of the Social Security Administration (SSA) will present an overview of the Plan for Achieveing Self Support – PASS.  This is an empowering program of the SSA that is of particular interest to disabled individuals under the age of 24.

Gene Oulvey of the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) will discuss the rules and regulations regarding self-employment, and how to better work with the DRS.

Both speakers aim to provide practical, empowering information of interest to entrepreneurs with disabilties.

To attend the conference log on to the SERN website (http://www.sernonline.net).  Click on the First Friday Entrepreneur’s link and enter the webinar room.  By phone call 888-273-3658 and use pass code 6135050#

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