What is a 377 Board? Background

By on November 2, 2012 in Background, Government, State Agency

Editor’s Note:  TheNemoNews readers have asked for some background on a 377 Board as they take interest in the current McHenry County initiative.  While Nemo is not a lawyer, we have decided to share our understanding a 377 Board with Nemo readers.  A significant portion of this information has been drawn from the Association of Community Mental Health Authorities of Illinois.

Governmental care for those with developmental disabilities is characterized by great need and few resources to meet those needs.  Services vary widely by locality, making states very different, and localities very different in the quality of life offered to its dependent citizens.  At this time, Illinois suffers from a profound financial shortfall that reaches into the lives of families and individuals with developmental disabilities.  Service agencies teeter on the edge of solvency because of slow payment from the State.

Yet the unrelenting need for services confronts everyone associated with the world of developmental disability.  The need for planning, assessment and delivery of services relating to housing, transportation, health care, employment, social supports often goes unmet.  It is not uncommon to find a 60 year old individual with a developmental disability living with an 80+ year old parent and relying on them for everything.  The state is then called in when the caregiver’s health fails.  The life of the surviving person is changed forever.  Often a lack of local services and facilities requires them to move miles away, into an unfamiliar world with few established supports.  Some localities seek to remedy this situation.

A 377 Board is one of three different kinds of taxing authorities allowed by the State of Illinois that localities can use to fund services for individuals who are disabled by mental illness, substance abuse or developmental disabilities.  These three are referred to as 708, 377 and 553 Local Mental Health Authorities or Boards.  More than one of these authorities can exist in a locality.  Some exist in townships, others exist in counties.

The most prevalent kind of board is a 708 — a Mental Health Board.  There are 50+ counties with these Boards.  Some townships have 708 boards.  McHenry County is currently served by a 708 board that allocates approximately 15% of its budget to the care of those with developmental disabilities.  This portion does not meet the needs that exist in McHenry County.

A 553 Board is called a Health Department Board.  Some health departments are formed under a 553 referendum of voters and become independent taxing authorities.  In Chicagoland, Lake, DuPage and Will Counties have 553 Boards.  Services for the mentally ill, substance abusers and developmentally delayed individuals are channeled through the health department in those counties.  Again, need often overwhelms the department resources.

The 377 Boards address the specific needs of the developmentally delayed.  They exist on the county level.  There are 14 Illinois counties with 377 Boards, and 4 of these also have a 708 Board.  McLean County has a 377 Board and a 553 Board.  The 377 legislation calls for a voter referendum to form the Board.  The Board is enabled to plan, evaluate and deliver services for the developmentally delayed population in their jurisdiction.

 

 

 

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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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Laremont/Transition Homecoming Dance at SEDOL

By on October 26, 2012 in Education, Lifestyle, Post Transition, Relationships, Social Life, Special Event

About 75 former and current students of Laremont and the SEDOL Transition Programs attended the Annual Homecoming Dance on October 12.  The theme for the dance was “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.   It was held at Laremont School.

Everyone danced to music provided by DJ Eddie Rodriguez, and there was food for all.  The  annual dances started over 25 years ago according to Laremont Principal, Mrs. Mary Sowers.   It began as a Homecoming option for Laremont students, and was expanded to include students who finish their education in the  SEDOL Transition Programs.

“It means a lot to the kids to get together again”, said Mrs. Sowers.  “Everyone likes a Homecoming Dance.  All we are missing is the football game.”

 

 

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377 Board Initiative in McHenry Moves Forward

By on October 25, 2012 in Government, Housing, Other

Supporters of the initiative to create a 377 Board in McHenry County are moving forward to get the item placed on a ballot in March 2013.  On November 2 they will present their case to the Health and Human Services (HHS) committee of the County Board.  The HHS is expected to advise the Board on placement of the  initiative on the ballot.  The County Board is expected to act on November 20.

Supporters met on October 17 to discuss their next steps and timeline.  Included steps were the outreach to the Boards of Directors of county agencies and creation of a steering committee.   In addition the need to educate voters about needs in the developmentally disabled community of McHenry County was explored.  The group wishes to contact churches, civic groups and others that may want more information.

Current statistics show that there are 5,236 individuals in McHenry County who are developmentally disabled.  The majority are not being served.  Over the next 5 years, 1300 of these individuals are expected to have urgent needs as caregivers pass on and other circumstances change.   These needs are not being met by state programs.

For more information contact Cindy Sullivan, Options and Advocacy, cindy.sullivan@opad.org, 815-477-4700.

 Click here for a link to the previous NemoNews article.

 

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Illinois Transition Conference Sells Out

By on October 19, 2012 in Post Transition, Special Event, State Agency

The 8th Annual Illinois Statewide Transition Conference is no longer accepting registrations and is discouraging walk-ins.  The conference brings together professionals, policymakers and families concerned with making the transition from student to adult in Illinois.  The conference  rotates between different parts of the state, and this year it is in St. Charles from October 24 – 26, attracting an overflow of Chicagoland participants.

The Conference targets high school aged students and young adults with disabilities, their family members and teachers, vocational professionals, caregivers, health care professionals, college students pursuing careers in special education and community advocates.  Historically, some attendees receive stipends from the ARC to attend this conference.  Refer to TheNemoNews article here for information on stipends.

Next year’s conference will be held on October 24-25, 2013 at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham, IL.

According to the website the Conference goals include:

  • Family Involvement (e.g., parents and families as partners in planning for and delivering transition services)
  • Student Self-determination (e.g., using transition assessment information and facilitating students’ self-determination to develop individualized plans based on their post-school goals)
  • Interagency Collaboration (e.g., involvement of community businesses, organizations and agencies in all aspects of transition-focused goals)
  • Effective program structures (e.g., efficient and effective delivery of transition-focused education and services to all transition-aged youth)

For more information about the conference contact Tara Dunning, Transition Conference Co-Chair,  217-744-7777 or tara@silcofillinois.org.

 

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IEP Parent Training – SEDOL

By on October 16, 2012 in Education

The Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) will conduct a 3-part series on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in November.  The sessions will run from 9:00-11:30am on Thursdays — November 1, 8 and 15.  The program will be conducted by the Parent Mentor Program at SEDOL.  The sessions are free but pre-registration is recommended.  Babysitting will not be available.

It is recommended that participants attend all three sessions.  The sessions will concentrate on the following topics.

November 1 — Laws; Evaluations and Eligibility; IEP and Other Related Forms

November 8 — Present Levels of Academic & Functional Performance; SMART Goals; Monitoring Progress

November 15 — Accommodations and Supports; Educational Environment; Communication and Partnership

For more information contact Joy Bux, jbux@sedol.us, 847-986-1126.

(Editors note:  Last spring I attended a similar series conducted by the Parent Mentors and found it very helpful.  I wish I had received this training earlier in our family’s K-12 career.  I highly recommend it. — Mary)

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CLC College Expo October 18

By on October 11, 2012 in Education, Post Transition, Special Event

Over 150 colleges are expected to attend the College Expo at the College of Lake County in Grayslake on October 18, 2012 from 6pm – 8pm.  High school students and families are invited to attend the Expo.  A list of participating colleges is here.   The event will be in the Physical Education Center (Building 7).

There will be two sessions on Financial Aid during the College Expo.  The first runs from 6:30pm – 7pm and the second from 7:15pm to 7:45pm.

CLC also offers a series of Transfer College Days for students transferring to a four year college.

For more information about the College Expo, call (847) 543-2090.

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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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Halloween Costumes and Ideas

By on October 8, 2012 in Lifestyle, Recreation, Special Event

Costumes for individuals using wheelchairs, or those with sensory issues can be challenging to create.  Below are a couple of ideas that might inspire you and make your Halloween more fun!

One Place for Special Needs has a great page of ideas to share.  This Naperville-based company is a rich resource for many concerns.   Several of the links below come from their newsletter.

Pictures of costumes with wheels are here.    Christopher & Dana Reeves Foundation also have ideas.

Wendy on Wheels is also sharing great costume ideas. 

Pictures of costumes fitting those with sensory issues are here.

Blogger Hartley Steiner has a great discussion of how she prepares for Halloween with her kids

Readers are invited to post pictures or links to websites about costumes and Halloween in the comments section below.

 

 

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