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McHenry 377 Board Advocates Prepare for April 9 Vote

By on March 20, 2013 in Government, Housing

McHenry 377Disability advocates in McHenry County are advancing their efforts to pass a referendum to form a 377 Board (What is a 377 Board).  The vote takes place on April 9, 2013.  If passed, McHenry County will realize some $9M per year to serve those with developmental disabilities.

The website Vote Yes McHenry County Developmental Disabilities Board (http://www.voteyesddb.com/) plainly presents the problem, proposed solution and plans for service.  It contains information and materials for advocates to use in the final days of the campaign.

This initiative is being watched by advocates around the state who face the same issues of inadequate services for family members, slow state payment to providers and increasing need among families.  A similar initiative in Kane County  (See ShowYouCareKane.com)  is aiming for a 2014 vote.  Kane advocates will be collecting signatures at polling places in Kane County on April 9th.   They need 8,000 more signatures  for placement of the referendum on the 2014 ballot.

For more information  on the McHenry initiative  contact Cindy Sullivan, Executive Director, Options & Advocacy for McHenry County, 815.477.4720 x 233, cindy.sullivan@opad.org   or Patrick Maynard, PhD, President/CEO, Pioneer Center for Human Services, 815.759.7044, pmaynard@pioneercenter.org

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Options Transition Fair at CLC on April 16

By on March 19, 2013 in Education, Lifestyle, Post Transition, Special Event

Options 2013 FlyerThe 2013 Options Transition Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 from 6-8pm a the College of Lake County.   The Fair features booths and workshops of interest to transition aged  individuals with disabilities, community and education professionals and families/caregivers.    It focuses on Lake County Area resources.   The website is http://www.consideroptions.org

Last year there were over 50 booths representing education, employment, vocational and day programs, government programs,  health services, recreational opportunities, referral sources and information, residential programs, transportation resources, vocational programs and trade schools.  A directory of booths and other services will be available on the website after the Fair.

Speakers include Cassie Diaz-Bello, Joy Bux and Priscilla Cuba from SEDOL.   They will present  “Checklist for life,”  a discussion of the many elements involved in transition planning.    “Work Rights Under the ADA” will be offered by Jessica Madrigal, Great Lakes ADA Center.  In addition , Joe Chiappetta, Director of Workforce Development, will discuss “Disabilityworks”, a project of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Those who have attended the Fair before should note that it will be held in a different building  this year — in the Lower Level C Wing Conference Center.  Parking is available in lots 4, 5, 6, 7 and 7A.

Sponsoring organizations include Adlai Stevenson High School, Barrington High School, College of Lake County, Deerfield/Highland Park High Schools, Glenbrook High Schools, Lake County Center for Independent Living, Libertyville/Vernon Hills High Schools, New Connection Academy, Special Education District of Lake County, and Waukegan High School/SEPTAC.

For more information contact Karen Adams at the CLC Office for Students with Disabilities at (847) 543-2454.

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Parent Connections Meeting at Round Lake High School

By on March 11, 2013 in Education, Post Transition

Shanta Frierson from the Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL) will speak on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it helps in the educational system and beyond.  The meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 from 6:30pm-8pm . It will be held at the Round Lake High School Commons.  Attendees are advised to enter through door #29 after 7pm.  (Door #1 will be open until 7pm.)

There will be activities for students who attend.  Parents are welcome to bring a treat to share.  Y se hablan Espanol alla.

The Parent Connections program reaches out to parents and students in ELS (Educational Life Skills), LOP (Learning Opportunities Program), COP (Career Opportunities Program) and other classrooms in the Round Lake area with a special emphasis on middle and high school.  For more information, contact Cindy Josefson, 847-546-7539 or Monica Young, 847-740-3314.

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Tis the Season to Walk, Run and Wheel for Charity

By on March 2, 2013 in Lifestyle, Recreation, Special Event

There are about 15 weekends every summer that can be used for outdoors fundraising events that benefit the disability community.  These include fairs, 5Ks and more.   These events are wonderful community builders as they raise vital funds for programs.   TheNemoNews is creating a ‘master list’ of summer events, so that any supporter, athlete or outdoors person can easily find a way to  have fun and do good in our area.

To get on the list, fill out the following form:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8T66BQ3

If you have questions, contact mary@thenemonews.com.

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Business Plan Class at UIC

By on February 19, 2013 in Education, Employment, Post Transition

The University of Illinois Chicago is offering a free business plan writing class for adults with disabilities that have open vocational rehabilitation cases with the Department of Rehabilitation Services.  The class is free of charge to those that meet these requirements.

Classes will begin on Monday, March 4th.  They will meet every Monday and Thursday fr0m 10am-12pm for eight weeks.  (March 4 – April 25, 2013)

The book for the class is “Business Plan in a Day” by Rhonda Abrams, Second Edition.  Students will have to buy the book which costs about $15.  (Nemo found some on-line .pdf files.)

If you are interested  or know somebody that is interested please complete the form that is attached to this article.  Complete and return the application to the instructor, Varun Saripella, vsarip2@uic.edu by February 25th.  For more information about the UIC Business Plan Program, contact Shawn Dimfl, sdimpf1@uic.edu, at 312-413-8993.

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Drive-able Distances and Services: Opinion

By on February 15, 2013 in Opinion, Social Life, Transportation

carAs I read about the wonderful advances being made in Chicagoland and the nation, I often find myself wondering if there is any way our family can tie-in to them.   Those social groups, work opportunities and  miracle-working professionals inspire me and I am grateful to learn about them and to be in a metropolitan area where wonderful things can and do happen.

Yet, many resources remain out of reach since they are not a “drivable distance” for our family.  We are in the Grayslake area, and we can’t schedule weekly visits to a gifted therapist in Tinley Park or join an athletic team  in West Chicago.   While we can plan to participate in special events in those towns, we hope our day-to-day needs can be met by opportunities that are near us.  But how do we find them?

The idea of a “drivable distance” is one of the key concepts behind TheNemoNews.com.  Our news is hyperlocal, meaning we target a specific group of individuals within a specific geographical area — those affected by disabilities in the Lake County, Illinois area.  (You might be familiar with ThePatch.org;  they do the same kind of thing.)

TheNemoNews concentrates on resources, opportunities and events that take place within a one hour drive of Mundelein.   We promote news and information that helps us find and support each other here — where we live.

Of course, the “drivable distance” term includes the use of cars, buses, taxis, bicycles and other forms of transportation that are accessible to individuals with disabilities.  And we all know that is spotty.   (We’re hoping to do an article on transportation sometime soon.)  TheNemoNews has settled into the Lake County Area, including news from Lake and McHenry Counties, sometimes Kenosha –driveable.  We occasionally include online resources that are really good.

We welcome your local news, articles and comments.

 

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Autism Seminar Saturday — Crystal Lake

By on February 14, 2013 in Uncategorized

TACA_IL_FebSeminar2013-4Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is conducting a seminar for parents and others on this Saturday, February 16, 2013 from 1pm-5pm.    It will take place at the Home State Bank, 611 S. Main Street, Crystal Lake.  The event is free and open to any interested party (regardless of diagnosis), but  registration is requested.      http://www.tacanow.org/illinois-autism-learning-seminar-rsvp-form/

The speakers include Dave Geslak of the Exercise Connection speaking on exercise, Jackie Dorshorst, SLP, speaking on communication and language, and Dr. Anthony of Premier Wellness Chiropractic discussing neuro-developmental issues.  Each topic is detailed on the attached flyer or can be found here    (http://www.tacanow.org/local-chapters/midwest/illinois/crystal-lake/.

TACA meets regularly in McHenry County; this year they will be holding four Autism Learning Seminars in Crystal Lake on the following dates: Feb. 16, April 20, Sept. 21 and Nov. 16.   Please watch The Nemo News for more information on these future TACA seminars.

TACA also holds monthly Coffee Talks on the second Friday of the month at the Panera on Randall Road in Algonquin, Illinois, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Coffee Talks are informal gatherings where parents, siblings and extended family support each other and share information and resources.

The Crystal Lake TACA group supports those concerned with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental delays.  TACA’s mission is to support, educate and empower those who care about individuals with autism, including parents, extended family and professionals in the autism community.

For additional information, contact Linda Betzold at linda.betzold@tacanow.org or at 847-922-5392.

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Ed McManus Tonight at Protected Tomorrows

By on February 12, 2013 in Government, Housing, Lifestyle, Post Transition, State Agency

Protected TomorrowsEd McManus will speak at 7pm tonight at Protected Tomorrows LifeCare Center, 103 Schelter Rd, Lincolnshire.  He will discuss Illinois services for individuals with special needs.  Topics include the PUNS list, the Ligas Consent Decree, the role of PAS agencies in delivering services.  The event is free, but registration is requested (847-522-8086).

Ed recently retired from the Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities.  His career spanned several agencies including Staff Attorney for the Office of the Inspector General, State Coordinator for the Home-Based Services Program, and much more.  Currently he consults with agencies and families trying to navigate the system.   Ed’s newsletters can be found at his facebook page, where he states:  “Our main focus is to provide a better understanding of the Illinois DD system, which continues to mystify providers and families alike because it is so complex.”

This event is a kickoff for the  new Protected Tomorrows Family Membership program.  Details are on the website. 

(Editor’s note:  We have had some computer problems lately that have interfered with timely posting of notices such as these.  Hopefully they are worked out now.)

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IPADDUnite — Listserv Rich with Information &Support : Resource

By on January 30, 2013 in Background, Post Transition, Relationships

One of the best networks for parents of those with older children with developmental disabilities is the IPADDUnite Listerv on Yahoo.  IPADDUnite stands for The Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities United, and was begun in September of 2006 by parents Ellen Bronfeld and Laurie Jerue after they attended the same ARC conference.  As the mothers of young adults leaving the school system, they needed more and better information to help their children transition to adult life.  The listserv now serves over 1000 members, mostly from Illinois.  Since its inception there have been about 25,000 messages sent. Continue Reading →

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Rivkin Law Offers Discounted Supplemental Needs Planning Session — Feb 2

By on January 29, 2013 in Education, Family, Other, Special Event

The next information session for the Discounted Supplemental Needs Planning Program (DSNP) will take place Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 9:30-11:30am at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Rd, Lincolnshire.  This is an in-depth presentation that discusses estate planning for families with children with special needs. The program is free and limited to 12 families.  For more information click here. 

The DSNP program  is offered by Rivkin & Rivkin (a law firm specializing in estate planning and special needs planning). will offer low-cost legal planning for a limited number of eligible families that qualify for the services.  The planning services can include special needs trusts, simple wills, and power of attorney documents.

To participate in DSNP, the families need to be Illinois residents, have relatively modest assets, have not yet done estate or supplemental needs planning, and believe that the actual cost of such legal services would be a significant burden to their family.   Each candidate family will need to attend an education session and, if they opt to participate, complete materials online.

“We know that there are many parents in the area who face the many challenges of raising a child with special needs.  One of those challenges is obtaining a simple, but high-quality, estate plan that provides for their family – including protecting public benefits eligibility for a child who currently, or might one day, qualify for such benefits.  Our firm is committed to improving the quality and affordability of this planning, and we are excited about the opportunity to assist some of these families through our DNSP program.”  -according to Denise Kaplan of Rivkin & Rivkin, LLC.

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