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 & III, Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood, 32 Horrabin Hall, Macomb, IL 61455. Please include a statement of your group's 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
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. 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 Sydrom Network (DSN)
Melissa Hoerner, president@champaigndsn.org
2708 Willowpark Drive
Champaign IL 61821
(217) 365-9571
www.champaigndsn.org
Down Syndrome Parent Group
Rockford, IL
pam@kmkmedia.com
Pam at (815) 399-2805
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
McDonough County Down Syndrome Support and Advocacy Group
Contact Laura or Ritchie Gabbei (pronounced Go-bye)
(309) 837-6500
lbgabbei@macomb.com
General Disability
Parents Resource Organization for the Understanding of Disabilities and Developmental Delays (PROUDD)
PROUDD's mission is to support, educate, advocate, increase community awareness, and disseminate resources and information to parents, educators, professionals, and caregivers living or working with children with disabilities or developmental delays in the Champaign-Urbana and surrrounding counties.
PROUDD supports this effort through monthly meetings, various special programs, seminars, projects and resource guides.
PROUDD monthly meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month from September to May at 2501 W Windsor Road, Rm 109 from 7-9pm. Childcare is available with advanced notice.
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