Moms' Retreat Weekend

Moms, if you haven't planned something for yourself, consider this... a Moms' Retreat Weekend that will spoil and enrich you. Click here

America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

The Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR) is finding ways to improve access to our parks, refuges, and other public lands, waters and shores for persons with disabilities. Read about the Access Pass, a free, lifetime pass that provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites. The Access Pass is for all ages and provides admittance to federal parks free for the pass owner and vehicle. The application is simple. Check this out for future trips to National parks.
http://store.usgs.gov/pass/access.html

Summer Camps for children with disabilities

Summer Camps catering to children with disabilities? See this listing: Summer Memo

Euraka IEPs Planning and Development

Do you feel prepared for IEP meetings? Get a 'heads up' at this brief workshop May 16 in Eureka! Click here for the flyer

Being Your Child's Advocate

"Being Your Child's Advocate", a evening workshop by Family Matters Parent and Training Information Center will be offered in Loves Park on May 12th.

Families in the Rockford area should take a look at this short workshop opportunity on 5/12 Click here for details.

Bicycle Camp for Individuals with Special Needs

The Lose The Training Wheels bike riding program is designed to teach participants with special needs, ages 8 and older an opportunity to lose the training wheels and ride a bike. The program utilizes specialized equipment as well as coaching and encouragement. The children who do best in this program posses the following abilities: Ambulatory, Ability to pedal with training wheels, and most importantly, have the desire to lose the training wheels. For more information Click Here

New Guidelines

Confused about the news about child car seats? A good site to get a handle on this is Healthy Children of the American Academy of Pediatricians. Click here to get connected Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2011.

Seven Steps to Securing the Future For Your Child With Special Needs

A free workshop, sponsored by the Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization (CIDSO) will be conducted by local attorney, Stephen A. Newbold, of NewboldLaw Special Needs Legal Services on April 21, 2011 in Normal, Il. Click here for more information

Sibshop

Sibshop in Peoria on April 30th.... Sibshops are for brothers and sisters who have sibling with a disability. Click Here to learn more.

Survey from CHOICES for Parents

Would you like the opportunity to provide feedback on the services you are receiving for your child with hearing loss? Then consider taking the survey below from CHOICES for Parents, a statewide coalition of parents and professionals concerned with children with newly identified hearing loss.

www.surveymonkey.com/s/myviewonservices
If questions, please contact Karen Aguilar, Coalition Director, at 312-523-6400.

Summer Camps

Toll free 1 hour Telephone Conferences from Family Matters this spring!

Click here for more info

Upcoming Information Session on 3/21/11 In Metamora "Examing the Evidence for Inclusion".

Click here for more info!

Guide by Your Side programs

There's a free event in Springfield, March 6th, sponsored by the Guide by Your Side programs for Central Illinois families of children with hearing loss.

Click here for more info

My Life My Choice

My Life My Choice – Film about People with Disabilities pursing dreams, living life Spend the evening with us and watch an inspiring video about 5 young adults who are making it on their own "with a little help from their friends"

MY LIFE, MY CHOICE profiles seven individuals with disabilities who are living person directed lifestyles full of personal choices and opportunities.

After the movie learn from Microboards and Cooperatives and how they can play an important role in supporting employment, housing and full participation in community.

Enjoy fellowship with others who value freedom for people with disabilities and of course, popcorn!

Please RSVP to this email if you wish to attend – seating is limited.

Wendy Partridge
Northern Illinois Field Organizer
Illinois Association of Microboards and Cooperatives

www.iambc.org

815-262-0699
3028 N. Trainer Road
Rockford, IL 61114

FREE Conference for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss!

February 26, 2011 in Rockford!
For the scoop.... Click Here

Moms Night Inn

An event for mothers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This is the first time that one of these events is being held in Central Illinois, as well as in Northern Illinois. Its a retreat like event in a hotel, sponsored by Illinois Hands and Voices.

Click Here for March 5-6, 2011
Click Here for March 26-27, 2011

Dental Clinic for children and adults with special needs!

The Noll Dental Clinic (which is affiliated with Hope Institute) has been formed to specialize in dental work for individuals having special needs (including Down syndrome, autism, AD-HD, MS, etc.) The clinic accepts all types of insurance and has a special fee scale for low income patients. The contact information is: Noll Dental Clinic5220 S. Sixth Street RoadSuite 2100Springfield, IL 62703Telephone: (217) 588-7640Facsimile: (217) 588-7645Website: www.thehopeinstitute.us (and there is a link to the Noll Dental Clinic)

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.

Illinois Insurance Coverage for Autism

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.

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)

Rockford Area Event:
District 1 D Lions is sponsoring their annual Fish & Fun Day for people with disabilities and their families or agency staff. The event will be held on Saturday, June 4, 9:00A.M. to 1:00P.M. at Lions Park, Rock Cut State Park.

The events include:

• Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
• Pontoon Boat Rides
• Fishing Derby with Trophies
• Live Entertainment
• Clowns with Balloons
• Photos
• Free lunch (hot dog, chips & drink) from 11:00-12:30