Seminar on Private Health Insurance for Children with Special Needs

On Nov 17th, the Family to Family Health Information Center of the Arc of Illinois will host a seminar on Private Health Insurance for Children with Special Needs. It is being offered because many families are contacting them with their questions and concerns related to their private insurance coverage and their child’s special needs. With close to 60% of Illinois children with special needs having private health insurance, a seminar with an outstanding roster of expert speakers for a day of learning is planned.

A limited number of stipends are available for family members and youth with special needs. Family members of children with developmental disabilities and family members of children with other special health needs/chronic illnesses can apply for a stipend by contacting Family to Family at 866-931-1110 or call 815-464-1832 for a stipend form.
Download the details and registration form

Including Samuel DVD

Including Samuel is one of those 'dream come true' stories, that happens to be recorded in a documentary. Click here to learn more about the use of this public awareness tool.

Talking to Children About the Flu (Novel H1N1): A Parent Resource

Click here to download the flyer.

Telling Your Story

The Illinois Association of Microboards and Cooperatives is intended for those who want to explore possibilities of alternative services for themselves or their loved ones. The project assists persons with disabilities and their families and friends to create non-profit corporations that allow them to live self-directed lives through the use of person-centered planning, community supports and resource management. For further information, click here.

Parents of Children with Hearing Loss Workshop

Please see the flyer for information about conferences for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss on 11/14/09 and 2/20/10!

Illinois Insurance Coverage for Autism

Easter Seals Children's Development Center's Family Support Services

Family Support Services is pleased to announce that we are able to offer a respite program. We will be serving up to ten families a month for a total of twenty hours per family. Families will be chosen on a first come/first serve basis with a wait list used if necessary. Eligibility criteria:

• Birth to twenty one
• Must have a medical diagnosis of a developmental disability
• Denial from DHS-DORS program or Milestone and cannot be used in conjunction with either program
• There are no income guidelines
• Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties

Family Support Services will provide the respite worker based on your input and needs for your child. All respite workers must have the Illinois State Board of Education Paraprofessional certificate.

For more information on this program, Contact Patti Hobbs at 815-965-6745 ext 218 or phobbs@eastersealschicago.org

Great Resources on the Web

The Little Friends Center for Autism was created in 2004 as an affiliate of Little Friends, Inc. The Center was created in order to build on the expertise that Little Friends has developed in serving children with autism and their families, and create a "one stop" resource center for families throughout the Chicagoland area.

LFCA provides comprehensive diagnostic and evaluation services, training for parents and professionals, consultation, and educational materials. Our desire is to help families by sharing the knowledge we have gained since the early 1980's while specializing in serving children with autism.
You can visit their website for a listing of upcoming trainings by going to www.littlefriendsinc.org/lfca.asp

W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s mission is to support children, especially vulnerable children, and families to be successful individuals as well as successful contributors to their communities. Their communication, evaluation and policy toolkits, designed for their grantees, are useful to a broader audience. Read the contents at
www.wkkf.org

The National Foster Parent Association offers online courses to help foster and adoptive parents develop leadership skills. Many elements of these on-line courses are useful for all parents. Visit www.nfpainc.org and check out the Surviving Leadership Training module where you can learn about qualities and styles of leadership and ways to support parent leaders, including ideas for mentoring new parents into leadership roles.

The Seven Changes Workbook (English, Spanish & Portuguese) will assist in the ability to brush up on skills and help others learn the art of communication with this workbook. Good leaders are good communicators. Check out the workbook at
www.newconversations.net/workbook

ChildRite Medical Supplies

ChildRite Medical Supplies is a provider for Illinois State Medicaid. Services they provide include a variety of incontinence products and durable medical equipment for children with developmental delays that are paid for via Medicaid. ChildRite will ship all products and equipment directly to the child’s home as approved on a monthly basis. As your child grows and progresses, sizes and product type changes are handled as needed. Eligibility for this service is re-evaluated monthly.

To qualify for this Medicaid funded program, the following criteria must be met:

1. Child must be 2 years of age
2. Incontinence program: Child must have a diagnosis that impacts their ability to be toilet trained.
3. Therapy items: Requires a letter of medical necessity for the needed item equipment.
4. Durable Medical Equipment: Requires a letter of medical necessity for the needed item equipment.
5. Child must have a Medicaid number or Medical Insurance. (Note: not all medical insurance companies reimburse for this program. Call 217-787-2203 and ask our Medicaid special if yours does. Please have a copy of your card and policy ready when you call.)
6. Copy of Physician Orders for incontinence products, therapy items, or Durable Medical Equipment with qualifying diagnosis codes.

For more information and to see if your child qualifies for this program, please call 217-787-2203 and ask for Kevin Schaul, Owner/Program Manager.

Financial Assistance for Conferences:

The ARC of Illinois has consumer stipends for parents of individuals with disabilities and people with disabilities to attend conferences. Contact them at 708-206-1930 or online at www.thearcofil.org.

Be sure to click on the News tab for more information on the following news or opportunities...

• Young Children and Family Military Deployment
• EC-TIIS Online Courses Offered
• Podcasts By LitTech!
• Potential Funding for Families’ "Medical Needs"
• Training for Preschool to Kindergarten Transition
• Special Needs Car Seat Program Helps Keep Kids Safer
• Tech on the Go

Heard It Through the Grapevine, occasionally STARNET will get some detailed information about specific parent meetings. (Find ongoing Parent Support Groups information on the "Support Groups" link on the left side of this page)

Northern Illinois Down Syndrome Group
December 13, 12:00-3:00 P.M..:
Annual holiday party for families. R.S.V.P. is required.

NW IL Autism Parent Group:
November 19, 6:00-8:00 P.M.
Beth Schultz, MSW, will talk about puberty and boundaries. Dinner will be provided. Limited child is available by registration only.

December 17, 6:00-8:00 P.M.: Annual holiday party for families. R.S.V.P. is required

Ogle County Family Support Group:
December 8, 6:00-8:00 P.M.: Annual holiday party for parents. R.S.V.P. is required.
For more information contact Patti Hobbs at 815-965-6745 ext 218 or phobbs@eastersealschicago.org