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LCCIL Boot Camp for Parents

By on July 12, 2013 in Education, Health, Lifestyle, Social Life

Summer Boot Camp for Parents continues at the Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL).  July offerings are open to parents and advocates with an interest in the IEP/Transition process.   The class is free and held on Tuesdays from 1-3 at the LCCIL.  For information contact Shanta Frierson, 847-949-4440, shanta@lccil.org

The July schedule includes:

July 16 — Bullying 101, presented by the Lake County Health Department Children’s Program.  They will also discuss the Health Department programs and services.

July 23 –Skills to Succeed, presented by the Division of Specialized Care for Children.  Shannon Jones is coming from Rockford to explain this little known program for children up to age 22 that is administered by UIC  http://www.uic.edu/hsc/dscc/

 

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Federal Partners in Transition eDiscussion til May 27

By on May 16, 2013 in Education, Employment, Employment, Family, Government, Health, Housing, Opinion, Post Transition, Relationships, Social Life, State Agency, Transportation

Have you ever thought that there was a better way to do things?  Have you ever wished you could talk to somebody important enough to act on your ideas?  Or maybe just listen to your ideas?  Here’s your chance.  There is an online discussion taking place the next two weeks (May 13-27).  Representatives of the Department of Labor, Education, Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration (Federal Partners in Transition)   are hosting this discussion and asking the following question:

What legislative and regulatory changes need to happen to effectively implement employment, education, health and human and social security services for youth and young adults with disabilities under public law?

It is a “crowd-sourced” discussion.  Individuals and agencies present their ideas and the rest of us vote their ideas up and down.  In this way, the “cream” of ideas rise to the top.  There were over 100 ideas within 24 hours, and the top idea (with 54 votes) was to eliminate waiting lists.  (Nemo votes for that!)

Participants need to register in order to participate.  In order to participate go to:  http://fptepolicyworks.ideascale.com/  In addition, we asked one author a question about their particular idea, and have received half a dozen responses from participants so far.  So Nemo won’t be asking a lot of idle questions…LOL.

Nemo has noted that some ideas on the website are poorly written and difficult to understand.  Some are pure jargon.  A participant might want to draft an idea and have someone else read it before posting.  Otherwise your great idea could be lost in the mix if it is unclear.   And we don’t want that to happen!

 

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Epilepsy Workshop at Countryside Association

By on May 3, 2013 in Education, Health

logo“Understanding Epilepsy”  will be presented by Countryside Association on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 6:30pm-8:30pm.  Tracy Schultz lead the workshop.  She is the Directory of Education a the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago.  The meeting will take place at 21154 W. Shirley Rd in Palatine.  It is free of charge, and open to the public.  An RSVP is requested.

The Workshop will identify the causes and characteristics of epilepsy as well as medications and treatments.   Emergencies and first aid will be covered.  Related cognition and behavioral traits will also be discussed.

For additional information contact Larissa Olson, 847-540-3736 larissao@countrysideassn.org

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Social Security & Medicaid Stories– The ARC

By on November 29, 2012 in Government, Health, Housing, Lifestyle, Other

With all the talk in Washington about cutting the budget, The ARC anticipates that SSI, Medicaid and Social Security will be put on the chopping block.   They are rapidly working to put together a” human face” for those legislators working on these budget numbers.

The ARC is collecting stories as part of a survey among those who receive and need to continue receiving  these services.  While the impact of this funding is clear to us, it is not necessarily clear to legislators who are under pressure to cut costs.  If The ARC can  share our stories with supporters, they will be able to help them defend us against potentially devastating cuts.

Respondents can tell The ARC how  Medicaid and Social Security affects their lives.   Self-advocates, parents, friends and service providers may wish to participate.  This brief survey is versatile, providing  an option for anonymity as well as an opportunity to provide a photograph and contact information.   Respondents have a great deal of control over the information that is submitted.

These initiatives are taking place on the national level.  For more information contact  The Arc 1825 K Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006,  800.433.5255

 

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Legislative Breakfast, December 3

By on November 19, 2012 in Background, Government, Health, Housing, Lifestyle, Special Event, State Agency

“Make Us a Priority” is the theme of the 6th Biennial Legislative Breakfast sponsored by The North/Northwest Cook County and Lake County Work Group (http://www.iacdd.org) .  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.

The breakfast will take place on Monday December 3, 2012 at the Chevy Chase Country Club – Devonshire Room in Wheeling.  It goes from  8:30am-10:00am.

State legislators and their aides are invited to attend as well as consumers with developmental disabilities and their families.   Service providers and advocates are also invited to attend.   The event will feature a brief presentation on the  facts, figures and other information  of concern to families and professionals.  Legislators will play a key role in establishing State policy addressing these needs.

Editorial change:  11:15am 11/19/2012:  Legislators who will attend are asked to RSVP by November 30 to Elizabeth Ramos, Community Alternatives United (CAU), 773-867-4159, eramossosa@cau.org.  Consumers and families need not RSVP.

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PUNS Selection — IAMC Members Discuss

By on November 7, 2012 in Education, Government, Health, Housing, Post Transition, State Agency

Recently another 1500 names were selected by lottery from the PUNS list (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services).  This is a list of children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities who need services or supports from the State of Illinois.  The list is used for planning, budgeting and delivering services to those in need.  The current waiting list for services tops 20,000 individuals.

Accordingly, getting a PUNS services notification letter is a big deal for families in need that have waited a long time.  Nemo is aware of several families who were recently selected and now wonder what it means to them.

There will be a telephone conference TONIGHT (Wednesday, November 7, 2012) at 7pm (CST) for those whose name was selected and wish to discuss options going forward.  The discussion will be facilitated by staff from the Illinois Association of Microboards and Cooperatives (IAMC)  http://www.iambc.org .   While the IAMC is not a PUNS agency, they are usually very well-informed.  Nemo would attend if not for a previous engagement.

For more information contact Vicki Niswander, Executive Director, IAMC, 217-586-4552.  vniswander@gmail.com  Those who wish to attend can call in at  605-477-3000, passcode 501904.  The web link is https://www.fuzemeeting.com/fuze/84a0e766/17767787

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Zumba for Special Needs at Protected Tomorrows

By on November 1, 2012 in Health, Lifestyle, Other, Recreation, Social Life

Protected Tomorrows Zumba ClassEven those who hate to exercise might have tried  Zumba.  This is a dance fitness program involving tons of lively international music.   It is rigorous, social and most people say it is  fun.  It is also a form of exercise that doesn’t attract droves of people with special needs.  To address this need, Protected Tomorrows is initiating a seven-week Zumba class that is specifically for those with special needs.

The class begins on November 7, from 5:30-6:15pm and continues every Wednesday for 7 weeks.  The class will be in the Protected Tomorrows Training Center at 103 Schelter Rd, Lincolnshire.  Family and friends are welcome.  Participants must be at least 15 years of age.  Donations are welcome.  These will benefit the Protected Tomorrows Transform U initiative.

If you want more information contact Teri Bodeman, 847-522-8086, tbodeman@protectedtomorrows.com

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Diabetes Prevention for Youth with DD — Workshop

By on October 31, 2012 in Education, Health

A diabetes prevention workshop will be offered on Monday November 12 from 1pm-4pm at Countryside Center in Palatine.(http://www.countrysideassn.org)  The workshop aims at caregivers, educators and healthcare professionals with an interest in preventing this chronic disease in those with developmental disabilities.   Continuing education hours are available.  The class is free, but space is limited.

Outcomes from this training include increasing knowledge related to diabetes prevention among children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, enhancing self-efficacy skills, and improving skills to motivate children and adolescents to eat smart, move more and stress less.  The website begins with the following observation:

Children and teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) often do not get to learn how to eat smart, move more, and cope with stress. With obesity and diabetes on the rise for both children and adults, lowering the risk of diabetes during childhood is critical. What children and adolescents do today…counts! Children and teenagers with I/DD can, in fact, be and stay healthy.

The class will be taught by Beth Marks, RN, PhD and Parul Arora, RN.  Dr. Marks is associated with the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and Ms. Arora is affiliated with Northpointe Resources.  The course is an offering of the  Health Matters Community Academic Partnership.

For more information on this class, contact Larissa Olson, 847-540-3736, larissao@countrysideassn.org.

 

 

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Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality: Parent Training

By on October 10, 2012 in Education, Health, Post Transition, Relationships, Social Life

Bodies, Boundaries and SexualityParents and educators from SEDOL and member districts are invited to attend a training session titled “Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality:  Teaching Youth with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities”.   The session is on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 7:00pm-9:00pm.  It will be held in the Gym at Laremont School, 17934 W. Gages Lake.  There is no charge for the program, but pre-registration is required.

 

The session will be conducted by Terri Couwehowen, who is the Clinic Coordinator for the Down Syndrome Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.  She is the author of several books including “Teaching Children with Down syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality:  A Guide for Parents and Professionals”, “The Girl’s Guide to Growing Up:  Choices and Changes in the Tween Years”, and her newest book “A Boy’s Guide to Growing Up:  Choices and Changes during Puberty”.   She is a Certified Sexuality Educator with the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.

Specific areas to be discussed:

  • Reasons sexuality education is critical.
  • Key concepts before transitioning out of school.
  • Roles of parents and professionals.
  • Qualities of a good sexuality education program.
  •  Resources for further education.

This program is sponsored by the SEDOL Transition Program and the Parent Mentor Project.  For more information contact Joy Bux,  jbux@sedol.us, 847-986-1126.

 

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Wendy on Wheels at Abilities Fair

By on July 25, 2012 in Education, Health, Opinion, Special Event

“Wendy on Wheels” author Angela Lieberman attended the recent Abilities Expo in Schaumburg.  She reviews her experience on her blog.

Ms. Lieberman lead a discussion on bullying using  the fourth book in her series, “Wendy Takes A Stand”,  In this book, Wendy witnesses a bullying incident and has to decide how to handle it.  Other books include “Wendy Goes to the Beach”, “Wendy Goes to the Zoo” and “Wendy Saves the Day”.

Author Lieberman recently released two books on self-catheterization for children in collaboration with 180 Medical.  “Ethan can Cath” and “Emma Can Cath” will help children learn this important independence-building skill.  The book is free to members of the 180 Medical Kids Club.   Membership is free and available at http://www180medical.com/kids.

Acclaimed author Lieberman stories were inspired by her sister, Amanda, who has spina bidida.  They have been featured magazines and newspapers.  She is currently booking fall school visits.

 

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