Illinois STARnet Northwest Region I & Central Region III STARNET Northwest Region I and Central Region III  
Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education  
Western Illinois University, Horrabin Hall 32  
1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455  
(800) 227-7537 / (309) 298-1634  
Fax: (309) 298-2305  
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Family Focus Support Groups

Support Groups

STARNET, in its efforts to provide family members in Regions I & III with opportunities for encouragement and collaboration offers this list of support groups. If you would like to add your support group to the list, please email the information to Heather Griswold at hd-griswold@wiu.edu, fax it to (309) 298-2305 (attn: Heather Griswold), or mail it to STARNET Regions I and III, Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood, 32 Horrabin Hall, Macomb, IL 61455. Please include a statement of your groups goal or mission, what counties you are based in, upcoming meeting times/locations, who to contact, and all contact information including address, phone, email, web site.

Autism Support Groups

Autism Society of Illinois - Tri Co. Chapter

510 5th St. Dallas City, IL 62330
(217) 852-6308

Our goal is to provide support to everyone who deals w/ autism; to inform the public of the true nature of autism; and to find ways to educate parents, teachers, friends & family about ASD. ASI-Tri Co Chapter will host monthly meetings. For more information contact: Kelly Mason @ (217) 852-6308

Ogle County Autsim Support Group:
December 8, 6:00-8:00 P.M.
Annual holiday party for parents. The group will meet at

Costas Restaurant, 132 East Blackhawk, Byron, IL

For more information contact Patti Hobbs at 815-965-6745 ext 218 or phobbs@eastersealschicago.org

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

ESCDC, 250 N. Main Street, Rockford

To register for childcare or for more information contact Tracy at 815-965-6745, x 173 or email at tracy.mitchell@eastersealschicago.org

Proud Parent Support Group:
Contact Information:
Carla Oldham, President
(630) 978-1615
prouddparents@aol.com

Tri-State Autism Association

P.O. Box 15, Ferris, IL 62336
(217) 746-3006

Our goal is to provide support to everyone who deals with autism; to inform the public of the true nature of autism; and to find ways to educate parents, teachers, friends, and everyone interested, about autism and its many faces.

For more information contact: Tina Veale at (309) 298-1955 ext 250 or TK-Veale1@wiu.edu


Autism Society of the Quad-Cities.
The Autism Society of the Quad Cities will host monthly support and education meetings for Illinois members and other interested people on the first Tuesday of each month from 6-7 p.m. The meetings will begin in January at the Butterworth Center, 1105 8th St., Moline, Ill.

For more information, call Cheryl or Rick Ramirez at (309) 764-0106 or (800) 813-0392. Purpose of meetings: Emotional support, resource referrals and connnections for Individual Education Plans (IEP) assistance.


Down Syndrome

Becca's Karing Individuals for Disabilities, Inc (bkids)

P.O. Box 1128
Galesburg, IL 61401
(309) 341-2394
knaack@galesburg.net
Bringing Up Down Syndrome (BUDS)
P.O. Box 11
Arenzville, IL 62611
(217) 997-5879
Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization (CIDSO)
P.O. Box 595
Normal, Illinois 61761
(309) 452-3264
info@cidso.org
Or visit their website at www.cidso.org for more information.
Champaign County Down Syndrome Network (DSN)
Melissa Hoerner, president@champaigndsn.org
2708 Willowpark Drive
Champaign IL 61821
(217) 365-9571
www.champaigndsn.org
Down Syndrome Support Group
Blessing Hospital Broadway at 14th St.
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 223-8400
lneisen@blessinghospital.com
Visit their website at www.blessinghospital.org(site search "Down Syndrome") for more information.
Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association
c/o Bethal Lutheran Church
Morton, IL 61550
(309) 712-4852
Please view the HIDSA page for more information.
Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Support Group
317 Astoria Road
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 546-2215
jsattler@agr.state.il.us
Livingston Area Down Syndrome Society
13298 N 3400 East Rd.
Chatsworth, IL 60921
Phone: 815-689-2202

McDonough County Down Syndrome Support and Advocacy Group
Contact Laura or Ritchie Gabbei (pronounced Go-bye)
(309) 837-6500
downsupport@macomb.com
Northern Illinois Down Syndrome Group
December 13, 12:00-3:00 P.M..:
Annual holiday party for families. The group will meet at the home of Pete and Angie Scordato,
5964 Weymouth Dr., Rockford, IL
Bring a small gift for Santa to give your child. Lunch will be provided. Bring cookies to share. RSVP is required by calling Patti at 815-965-6745 x218 or
Email at phobbs@il-rk.easterseals.com
General Disability

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

Proud Parents
Contact Information:
Carla Oldham, President
(630) 978-1615
prouddparents@aol.com


Kids Konnected Support Group
Please see the KKSG page for more information.
PATH Support Meeting
(Parents Available To Help)
This support group is available to any parent/caregiver whose child has a disability/IEP. We meet the first Thursday of every month at...

6:30pm in the Webster Cafeteria

310 N. Monroe St.
Rushville, IL

A light supper and childcare/homework assistance is available at no charge. For more information, please contact:

Delane McNeely
Parent Mentor for Schuyler/Industry Community District #5
Email - dmcneely@sid5.com
Website - www.sid5.com

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