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Nemo News at Parents’ Meeting — YL Capernaum

By on January 22, 2013 in Faith Based, Lifestyle, Other Relationships, Social Life, Special Event

Mary Curran Rhodes, publisher of The Nemo News will speak at the next Parent Meeting of Young Life Capernaum, on Friday, January 25, 2013 from 6:30-7:30pm.  There will be a demonstration of the website and a discussion about improving communications in Lake County.   It will take place at the United Methodist Church of Libertyville, 429 Brainerd Avenue.

Young Life Capernaum is an interdenominational Christian social group with transition age (14-25) individuals with special needs.   Parents meet separately at the same time.  The Libertyville group began last fall.  For more information about Young Life Capernaum or the parent’s group contact Tasha Taylor, tasha4gayle@yahoo.com , 847-735-9595

 

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Patrick Schwarz to Speak at Therapeutic Links

By on January 14, 2013 in Education, Special Event

give_him_the_whale_hDr. Patrick Schwarz will speak at Therapeutic Links  (15 Commerce Drive, Suite 111) in Grayslake on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:30pm.    He is an expert in the areas of autism,  inclusive teaching and human services.  Teachers, parents, and other professionals are encouraged to attend the session.  There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is encouraged.   To reserve your spot, please contact Sharon at (847) 548-3458 by January 14th  or email sharon@therapeuticlinks.com Continue Reading →

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Personal Success Program Seminar — January 14, CLC

By on January 10, 2013 in Education, Employment, Post Transition

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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See you in 2013!

By on December 21, 2012 in Uncategorized

If the Mayan Calendar doesn’t get us all today, TheNemoNews will return in early January with more news and items of interest.  Thanks for following our journey this year.

We hope you have a Happy Holiday and here’s hoping 2013 brings us all the best!

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Grinch Steals Christmas! Not. SRACLC

By on December 19, 2012 in Lifestyle, Recreation, Social Life, Special Event

Cast of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The people were seated,
The lights now were dim,
The curtain came open,
Twas time to begin.

With walkers before them,
With chairs and their aide,
The lines they had learned,
And backdrops they made.

With memories true,
Applause in their heart,
These ShowStopper actors,
Brought joy with their art.

That Grinch who stole Christmas,
Just couldn’t stay mean,
With dancing and singing
For all to be seen.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was put on by the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County, (SRACLC) and performed on December 5 at the Sullivan Center in Vernon Hills.  It featured over 25 participants in the ShowStoppers program who prepared 13 weeks for the production.  It was produced and directed by Cassie Newton.  They are producing Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory  in the spring.

For more information on ShowStoppers contact Cassie Newton at SRACLC,  (847) 816-4866, cnewton@sraclc.org

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377 Board Petition in Kane County

By on December 13, 2012 in Government, Housing, Other

Kane County now has an initiative to form a 377 Board to serve the needs of the developmentally disabled.  In order to get the referendum on the April 9, 2013 ballot, they need to collect 20,000 signatures from registered Kane County voters.  They currently have 7,000 signatures and are asking Kane County voters, advocates and others to help them reach this goal by December 31, 2012.  Advocates decided to act at this time because of the crisis in state funding for housing, transportation, jobs, job training and respite services.   Local funds are being sought to provide care.

Organizers cite the needs of 10,000 adults in Kane County who need lifetime care, and another 10,000 who need a lesser level of care.  This need grows as care-giving parents age and cannot care for their loved ones.  Moreover, there are 17,000 students receiving special education services in Kane County.  Some portion of these individuals will need care as they mature.

It is still possible for the County Board to approve placement of the referendum on the ballot, but there has been no action to do so.  County Board President Chris Lauzen was also cited by the Kane County Chronicle as saying that if voters ultimately approved the levy, he would try to keep the effect tax neutral by cutting in other areas.

A well-developed website supports this effort at http://www.showyoucarekane.com The site has links to petition information, press coverage, and an explanatory power point presentation.

For more information contact Kathy Hazelwood,Vice President Marketing & Development, Association for Individual Development, 847-931-2290,Khazelwood@the-association.org

 

 

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200+ Attend Legislative Breakfast

By on December 12, 2012 in Government, Special Event, State Agency

Undeterred by a foggy Monday morning, over 200 people attended the 6th Biennial Legislative Breakfast on December 3, 2012 at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling.  They welcomed legislators, legislator-elects,  and their representatives from 13 districts.  The Breakfast was sponsored by the North/Northwest Cook County and Lake County Work Group.  The legislators attending are listed below.

 

Senator Daniel Biss – District 9
Rep. Scott Drury – District 58
Dan Krucek, Aide to Senator Dan Duffy – District 26
Rep. Laura Fine – District 17
Rep. David Harris – District 53
Jamie Morrison, Aide to Senator Dan Kowtowski – District 28 and Intern Andrew Gomberg
Lindy Mika, Aide to Senator Terry Link – District 30
Timothy Graham, Aide to Rep. Rita Mayfield – District 60
Senator Julie Morrison – District 58
Alicia Krippinger, Aide to Senator Matt Murphy – District 27
Brian Koppe, Aide to Rep.Carol Sente – District 59
Rep Tom Morrison – District 54 and Aide Joy Wolfe
Rep. Sam Yingling – District 62

Each legislator received an informational notebook and was invited to participate in the North/Northwest Cook County and Lake County Work Group.  The work group  is comprised of parents, consumers, providers, legislators, government agencies and schools addressing the needs of  individuals with developmental disabilities.  The meet monthly to share information addressing common concerns.

Joanell Voight, President/CEO of Community Alternatives Unlimited welcomed the attendees with the theme “Help Move Us Forward:  Make Us a Priority”.  Sandra Loebe Stoken congratulated the legislators and newly elected legislators as she highlighted the opportunities they have to bring our community of people with disabilities into a brighter and more sustaining future.     Ed McManus, Consultant, Developmental Disability Consultants, described legislative  issues that concern the Work Group, and Helen Kauffman described how legislators can best work with those in the developmentally delayed constituency.

Attendees were greeted by Special Olympians from the Libertyville Stars Swim Team and Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding.  Other consumers from NSSED, SEDOL ,Glenkirk and other organizations welcomed attendees to the event.  Also in attendance were many primary consumers who live, work, and vote in their local communities.

For more information about the Work Group contact Elizabeth Ramos, Community Alternatives United (CAU), 773-867-4159, eramossosa@cau.org.

 

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Did You Get A Ligas Award Letter? IAMC Teleconference

By on December 11, 2012 in Employment, Housing, Lifestyle, Post Transition

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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LCCIL Annual Meeting Celebrates Volunteers

By on December 6, 2012 in Lifestyle, Special Event

The Annual Meeting of the Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL) took place on November 29, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Libertyville.  The new Board of Directors was introduced and key accomplishments of the previous year were highlighted.  About 100 consumers, family members, elected officials and others attended.

Three awards were given in three categories.  The Volunteer of the Year named was David Barcal, who accepted his award by phone since he was in Missouri.  The Community Excellence Award went to Grant Township Center, in honor of their new ADA playground.  It was affectionately called the “Field of Dreams” following much fundraising and volunteer effort.  Supervisor Kay Starostovic accepted the award for the Township.    The final award, the Ed Roberts award went to Chris Hradisky.  The Ed Roberts award is named after the “Father of Independent Living”.  Click on the website for more info.

To become a member of the LCCIL, or or more information contact them at 847-949-4440.

 

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DACA Application Workshops Scheduled

By on December 5, 2012 in Background, Government, Special Event

A series of  hands-on workshops to help youthful  immigrants apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status are scheduled in the Lake County Area.   The Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) will co-sponsor one of these workshops on Thursday, December 13 from 5:00pm – 9:30pm for their families.   These workshops are co-sponsored by the Northern Alliance for Immigrants (whose website is under development.)  They are affiliated with the DREAM Relief project.

Applicants attending the  workshops should bring the set of documents that are detailed on the flyer below to the session.   There will be  translators and attorneys who will help them assemble the application packet. (Bennu Legal Services is a co-sponsor.)    There is a request for a $5 donation for materials.  Some applicants may retain attorneys for a fee ranging from $100-$200.

These workshops were established after a similar program at Navy Pier turned away thousands of individuals who came to apply for DACA status.   It was determined that the resources needed to help these young people in Lake and other northern counties are very limited.  The Northern Alliance for Immigrants stepped in to organize workshops in Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kenosha, and other areas.  A list of workshops in the northern counties can be found here.

Young people who came to the United States as children with their parents were directly affected by President Obama’s Executive Order the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program.   There are a number of requirements to meet before applying.  The application is extensive and is renewable every 2 years.  Approved individuals get work permits, social security numbers and qualify for drivers licenses.  They become non-deportable.   Approval allows young immigrants  to continue with college and employment.   DACA brochure is here.     DACA webpage is here.

The SEDOL event on December 13, 2012 will accept only the first 100 participants and no one will be admitted after 6:30pm.   To pre-register go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/630701170.  For more information contact Priscilla Cuba, p1cuba@sedol.us, 847-548-2577, ext. 36.

For information about the DACA workshops contact, The Northern Alliance for Immigrants, Graciela Contreras, Executive Director , 847-514-6558, gcontreras1@sbcglobal.net.  Other upcoming workshops are shown below.  Click on the image to enlarge it.

 

 

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