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Parent Connections Meeting at Round Lake High School

By Mary Curran Rhodes 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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Business Plan Class at UIC

By Mary Curran Rhodes 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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Ed McManus Tonight at Protected Tomorrows

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

Ed 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 Mary Curran Rhodes 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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Personal Success Program Seminar — January 14, CLC

By Mary Curran Rhodes on January 10, 2013 in Education, Employment, Post Transition

An 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

By Mary Curran Rhodes 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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Holiday Hearts Appeal — NorthPointe Resources

By Mary Curran Rhodes on November 30, 2012 in Employment, Housing, Other, Post Transition, Special Event

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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PUNS Selection — IAMC Members Discuss

By Mary Curran Rhodes 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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College of Lake County Open House November 8

By Mary Curran Rhodes on November 6, 2012 in Education, Post Transition, Special Event

The College of Lake County is holding an open house (http://www.clcillinois.edu/openhouse/index.asp) for current and prospective students on November 8, 2012 from 6pm – 8pm. Parking will be available in lots 7 and 7A, and visitors should enter at the C Wing. Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m.

The open house features a series of ½ hour sessions that address student concerns such as financial aid, academic advising, and student support services. Students with special needs will find the services from the Office for Students with Disabilities of particular interest. In addition, those attending will be able to talk to students, faculty and others regarding opportunities at CLC.

Each of the five departments at CLC (1-Biological and Health Sciences, 2-Business, 3-Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts, 4-Engineering, Math and Physical Science and 5-Social Sciences) offers two distinct programs. The first aims at those students planning to transfer to a 4 year college. Often these students obtain transferable credits at a lower cost than they would incur at a traditional college. Information about transferring will be available at the event.

The second kind of program at CLC is a Certificate Program. These students complete a program at CLC and receive a credential that qualifies them for work. Certificate programs include Massage Therapy, Administrative Office Systems, Library Technical Assistant.

For more information about the CLC open house contact Diane Rarick, (847) 543-2581• Email: drarick@clcillinois.edu

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