Family Bi-Weekly Update
Family Bi-Weekly Newsletter April 7, 2023
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Social, Recreational & Learning Opportunities
The TrueNorth Foundation STAR Campaign - Staff, Teacher Appreciation & Recognition! /Próximamente: la campaña STAR de la Fundación TrueNorth - ¡Apreciación y reconocimiento del personal y los maestros!
It’s hard to believe but the end of the school year will be here before we know it. Why not get started thanking your child’s teacher, assistant, therapist, bus driver, or other staff member today?
The TrueNorth Foundation is here to help!
Please consider making a donation to the TrueNorth Foundation in honor of that
special staff member and we’ll do the rest!
The individual(s) you honor will receive a letter with your personal message included and a special certificate. This recognition will be shared with their Supervisor and the TrueNorth Superintendent. Your donation will help support the important work our Foundation does such as funding grants for programming that benefits our students and staff and awarding scholarships to students and teaching assistants.
Use the following link to submit your application and payment online: https://forms.gle/iA8y2qkce87ZcEFV6 or print, complete and mail the attached form.
Please complete your STAR application by Friday, April 21 to guarantee delivery the
week of May 8-12 (Teacher Appreciation Week).
Please contact truenorth804foundation@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for your support!
DPS109 Parent/Guardian Webinar Series with Dr. Doug Bolton
District 109 is excited to announce that, in partnership with PPS109 and Dr. Doug Bolton, we will be hosting a series of virtual parent/guardian/community workshops this Spring.
Understanding Development (4/13)
Addressing The Greatest Worries of Parents & Guardians (4/27)
Understanding Children’s Hardest Moments (5/4)
The Basics of Childhood Resilience (5/11)
Collaborative Problem Solving (5/18)
Please click here to access the zoom link for all of the upcoming events. Each webinar will begin at 7 p.m. No sign-up is required ahead of time, and the sessions will be recorded and distributed for anyone that cannot attend.
Blaze Buddy Baseball
Glenview Blaze Buddy Ball has been played in Glenview for the past 20 years free of
charge for individuals who have physical, intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. This is NOT limited to Glenview residents.
Blaze Buddy Ball plays a 6-game season on Sunday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 in May
and June at the Crowley Park baseball field in Glenview. Our Glenview Blaze Travel
baseball players team up as a "buddy" with each player, working on hitting, running
the bases to fielding and throwing. Blaze Buddy Ball Jerseys and hats are also provided. Dan Neppl, John Ruddy and Greg Neppl coach our teams.
Go to https://www.glenviewblazebaseball.com/ click on Teams and Buddy Ball to register.
For more information, please contact Jim McManus at jimmcmanus2727@gmail.com
The Great Bike Giveaway!
The Great Bike Giveaway, a close partner of Rifton's since 2012, provides a fundraising platform for registrants to win an adaptive bike.
Registrants can access funding in 3 different ways:
Most Votes: select a bike and collect votes from family and friends. The participant with the most votes by March 29th in their bike category will win an adaptive bike.
Drawing: any participant who receives at least 50 votes will be qualified for a drawing to win an adaptive bike in their selected category. The drawing will be held on March 29.
Fundraising: each participant will receive a campaign page where they can solicit donations.
Participants can still fundraise to receive a bike at a discounted price even if they do not win their category or the March 30th drawing.
Fundraising ends April 18th at 12:00 pm EDT
With just 50 votes, anyone can win a bike.
Lurie's SAILS (Supporting Adolescents with Independent Life Skills) Program
Lurie Children's SAILS (Supporting Adolescents with Independent Life Skills) program offers a six-week curriculum to teach teens to prepare for their future in work, college and managing their healthcare. There are also sessions for parents for more information and support.
Madame ZuZu's Karaoke Night
Everyone is welcome to join us for our monthly meetup with TotalLink participants and friends at:
Madame ZuZu's Karaoke Night
Dates:
April 20
May 18
Time:
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location:
Madame ZuZu’s Cafe
1876 1st St.
Highland Park, IL
Register HERE
APS TrueNorth Family Education
TrueNorth & the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) present De-escalating Challenging Behaviors
TrueNorth 804 is excited to bring a training opportunity to you this spring! We will be offering a training program for parents: “De-escalating Challenging Behaviors.”
Benefits of the Training:
Build Confidence: Learn the skills necessary to anticipate and manage behavior escalation in your child.
Reduce Stress: Increase focus on self-care and therapeutic responses to maintain positive environments and relationships in your home.
Regain Control: Behavior influences behavior. Learn to manage your responses and how those responses can lead to positive outcomes with your child.
When:
Monday, April 17th from 5:00pm-8:00pm
Monday, May 15th from 9:00am-12:00pm
Both sessions will be held at 776 Red Oak Ln, Highland Park (Rubloff Building)
Registration will be limited to 20 participants.
3rd Annual Career Resources Expo & Job Fair for High School Students
SAVE THE DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023
6:00 - 8:00pm
Open to the community at large
NILES NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
9800 Lawler Ave., Skokie
All area students (grades 8-12), parents, siblings and community members are invited to attend this Career Resources Expo to meet with representatives from a wide-range of local companies, organizations and educational institutions which offer post-secondary, non-traditional options including associate degrees, certificate programs, apprenticeships, or other job training credentials, as well as military, gap-year, study-abroad experiences, and summer enrichment programs. A Job Fair is a new addition to this program, including full-time jobs geared toward graduating high school seniors and adults, but also part-time and seasonal jobs for freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Come and discover what non-traditional education, training, and skills are required for a variety of fulfilling careers.
For more information contact: Lisa Edelson, Education to Careers Coordinator, lisede@d219.org
Focus On Your Future is presented by: D219 Student Services at Niles North & Niles West and Education to Careers
Transition Summit: Focus on Housing
Connect to Community, in partnership with the Village of Hoffman Estates Commission for People with Disabilities and the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO), presents its annual Transition Summit
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM CDT
On the agenda ...
Housing Options in Illinois: CILAs, Supportive Housing, ICFs, and more: From all the different CILA models (24/7, Intermittent, Host Family, etc.) to Supportive Living, CLFs, ICFs, and SODCs, there are many different housing options for families to consider. I
An Introduction to Host Family CILAs: Based in Peoria since 1950 and now serving 15 counties, EP!C is a community of families, staff, volunteers, and community members working together to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
One Family's Story: Making Independent Living a Reality: Parent Vicki Niswander will share her family’s experience in creating a home for their daughter Annie with support and assistance from Annie’s Microboard and their Independent Service Coordination agency.
Creating Housing Options: The New Futures™ Initiative: The New Futures™ Initiative is a step-by-step process that gives families the ability to open doors to supported living options in their own neighborhood.
ISC Statewide Housing Navigator Pilot: The ISC Housing Navigator Pilot is designed to cultivate and pursue community-based, independent housing options for people with I/DD who are already in the waiver or newly selected from the PUNS list.
Families, educators, service providers and community members are welcome. Registration fee includes morning refreshments, lunch, and seminar materials.
General Registration Fee : $30.00
Professional Registration Fee with 5 hours of CEUs/PDs: $60.00
Space may be limited so register early to reserve your seat for this informative event!
Registration closes on Wednesday, April 12th.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Tina Lowry & Milan Myers, Aspire
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
Organization Fair
6:30 - 8:00 PM
OPTIONS WEBSITE: CONSIDEROPTIONS.ORG
Spanish interpreting is available.
If requesting additional accommodations, please contact your home district by March 15, 2023
Agencies and resources at the OPTIONS FAIR areas of focus:
Educational Opportunities • Employment Services • Vocational Day
Programs • Government Programs • Health Services • Legal Resources •
Recreational Opportunities • Referral Sources • Residential Programs • Transportation Resources
Kohl Children's Museum - Everyone at Play
Kohl Children's Museum Everyone at Play
Sunday, Apr 23, 2023, 02:00 PM
2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026, USA
Protected Tomorrows Parent University
“Government Benefits – What you Need to Know”
It seems the rules are ever changing. We’ll cover SSI, SSDI, DAC, Medicaid, and Medicare. How do Medicaid Waiver Payments fit in? How can you avoid making an innocent mistake? What role do these benefits play in the future financial security for your family member, and how far do you go to keep them? How do you account for them, do you track their use, and are you spending the benefits the way you should? How do they change when you retire, become disabled yourself, or when you die? Oh my goodness, so much to remember!
Mary Anne Ehlert will host this online Zoom class on:
April 13th, 2023
12:00pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)
Chicago’s Metropolitan Area Parent Training and Information Center!
EVALUATION: WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW TO GET STARTED
Date: 4-15- 2023
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: WEBINAR (Link to actual webinar will be emailed to you.)
Is your child struggling in school? Do you suspect your child may need special education services, but don’t know how to get started? This may be the webinar for you. The evaluation is one of the first phases to obtaining an IEP for your child.
This webinar will discuss:
-The purposes of evaluations,
-How and when to request an evaluation,
-The parents’/guardians’ role in the evaluation process.
-Your child’s rights under IDEA,
-Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE).
Family Movie Night: Black Panther Wakanda Forever
April 22 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Bring the whole family and your own movie snacks for our FREE Family Movie Nights.
- Doors will open 30 minutes prior to show time.
- These are FREE events; advance registration is required.
- Please note that NSSRA staff will not be available to supervise participants.
All Ages
FREE
Date: 04/27/2023 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Online Webinar
Curt's Cafe...the place to be!
Looking for a warm and cozy place to hang out on a Monday morning, either by yourself or with friends? Come by to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and fresh scone while you support TrueNorth Transition students demonstrate their amazing job readiness skills at this job training site. We're open for business every Monday that school is in session, from 9-11 am. Curt's Cafe is located at 1766 2nd Street in Highland Park.
The Arc of Illinois 73rd Annual Convention will be presented in a hybrid format! Join us April 19 - 20 either in person or virtually for two days of presentations.
In-Person: The Convention will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lisle, IL. As an in-person attendee, you'll be able to hear from speakers in person, visit with our sponsors and exhibitors, view the silent auction items and art exhibit, and meet your fellow attendees. You have the option to attend the breakout session of your choice.
Virtual: The Convention will be presented using Zoom Webinar. As a virtual attendee, you'll be able to join the live stream of the keynote and plenary presentations, and have access to the Convention website with information on the sponsors, exhibitors, silent auction, and art exhibit. Only two breakout sessions per time slot will be available to Zoom attendees.
NEW this year! A track of breakout sessions will be presented in Spanish.
We have a dedicated site on our website for additional information, including our virtual Silent Auction, Art Exhibit, and Exhibitor Hall.
TYE DYE EVENT: DHH FAMILIES YOU’RE INVITED TO A COLORFUL FUNFILLED EVENT TO SOCIALIZE AND CONNECT
Sponsored by ISRC
Date: Wednesday, April 19th, 2022
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
ECHO
300 W. 154th St. in South Holland
Door 5
The Event Will Include: Storytime, Tie Dye T-Shirts (T-Shirts will be provided) & Pizza!
Come out, have some fun and socialize with other families with
deaf/hard of hearing children.
Email: speak4me@myyahoo.com, Please include Your name, children’s name, number in attendance and T-shirt size for attendees by March 20th
Illinois Service Resource Center
Behavior support for students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind or Visually Impaired
A Service and Resource Center of the Illinois State Board of Education
Sign Language Interpreter available and Spanish interpreter available by request
The Institute: Illinois School for the Deaf
June 11-16, 2023
The Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing is scheduled for June 11- 16, 2023, on the Illinois School for the Deaf campus in Jacksonville.
The Institute is for families of children, ages 18 months to 7 years, with a permanent hearing loss. Families from all over the state come together to gain knowledge, support and connections. Participating parents and guardians attend daily lectures by experts in the field to learn about raising a child with hearing loss. Other activities include meeting in small groups and networking with other caregivers.
Topics for the week cover:
- Language development
- Communication options
- Reading an audiogram and learning about the reports from the audiologist
- Hearing aids and cochlear implants
- Reading to a child with a hearing loss
- Working with a child’s behavior
- Working with the school
During the Institute, children attend classrooms overseen by experienced teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They may receive audiology, psychology, speech/language, vision and educational testing. All of these services are free of charge!
Siblings are also welcome to attend the Institute.
How Do I Get More Information About the Institute?
Contact Division of Specialized Care for Children at (800) 322-3722 or dsccinstitute@uic.edu.
Visit our website: dscc.uic.edu
Opening Doors Program
Opening Doors Program
Illinois School for the Visually Impaired
June 7-10th, 2023
The Mission of Opening Doors is to provide support to families of infants and toddlers who are blind or visually impaired, to assist them in making informed decisions on behalf of their child, and to provide information on their child based on observation and assessment. This program is to benefit Illinois caregivers and their children with visual impairments and additional disabilities age birth to five.
Registration Link:
https://forms.gle/eAo2C7c5BZeZgoaS6
When: June 7-10, 2023
Where: ISVI Campus/Jacksonville
Register Now! A maximum of 25 families will be accepted.
We look forward to seeing everyone back in person!!
Chicago Hearing Society (CHS) Sign Language Classes
Do you want to learn Sign Language or improve on what you already know?
CHS offers a variety of classes and tutors to meet your needs!
Adult and Youth Classes
CHS offers adult and youth sign language classes both in person and through Zoom. We offer Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level classes for adults and thematic classes for youth of all levels.
Class schedules and registration information: Click Here
Youth (Elementary/Middle School)
Virtual: Tuesdays from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Level I (Beginners)
In-Person: Tuesdays from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Virtual: Thursdays from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Virtual: Wednesdays from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Level II (Intermediate)
Virtual: Wednesdays from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Level III (Advanced)
Virtual: Thursdays from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
*All classes are non-credit*
**All times are CST**
JCC Chicago and JCFS present Raising Emotionally Healthy Children
Marci Kreiner, Pediatric Occupational Therapist from Integrated Pediatric Therapies at JCFS, teaches us about what anxiety is and how it can present in young children. Leave with strategies to help address anxiety for the whole family and ideas to raise emotionally healthy children. Register for this free online event on Weds., May 10 at 12:30pm.
Admitted to the Hospital? Call on Aaron's Coffee Corner for a Free Cup of Coffee
APS board member, Carolyn Koppel is founder of this important non profit organization that provides 24/7 access to free, fresh, quality coffee to the family, friends and caregivers of critically ill children admitted to the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units at Lurie Children’s Hospital. For more information Click Here!
RESOURCES
World Institute on Disability: Disability Benefits 101
Disability Benefits 101 gives you online tools and information on employment, health coverage, and benefits.
You can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.
Disability Benefits 101 - Illinois
Rush Resource Directory
Although the Autism Resource Directory is targeted to families with a family member with Autism many of the resources listed are for individuals with varying disabilities and special needs. For example, dentists or doctors available to families.
Podcasts
Winnetka Voices
Winnetka Voices is a podcast hosted by The Winnetka Public Schools, featuring candid conversations on issues relevant to education and shared resources to support our students and families.
Episode #5: Progressive Education: 100+ Years Strong in Winnetka
Ongoing Support Groups
Dad's Meet-Up Group
All dads are invited to join this meet-up group sponsored by the Special Father's Network and C.I.T.Y. of Support. The group will be meeting on a monthly basis for the purpose of creating a safe place for dads raising children with special needs to learn from one another, discuss issues of concern, and form long-lasting friendships. https://cityofsupport.org/event/dads-meet-up-group-2
Dads who are interested in joining are encouraged to send an email to: hello@cityofsupport.org for sign-up information.
Join us for information, resources, tips and strategies on a variety of topics to empower you in your parenting or caregiving journey with your child with autism. Come to connect and interact with others navigating a similar journey! Parents of newly diagnosed children are strongly encouraged to attend.
Sound Experience: a social experience for families of children with hearing loss
Lurie Children's Sound Experience is a social experience for families of children with hearing loss. We offer Sound Experience four Saturday afternoons throughout the school year at our Outpatient Center in Westchester.
The program aims to provide:
- A network of parents of children with hearing loss who are going through or have gone through similar situations and to share experiences and information
- Information for families about hearing loss and how it affects our children
- An opportunity for children with hearing loss to meet other children with hearing loss
What to Expect at Sound Experience
- Parents informally share information and stories before the formal breakout sessions
- Children and siblings of all ages are entertained with a dedicated staff of volunteers
- Parents meet in an adjoining room to discuss the meeting’s topic
How to Get Involved
To learn more about Sound Experience, ask your audiologist or contact Cara Donahue at 312.227.3061 or cdonahue@luriechildrens.org.
ParentConnect: a family support group offered in partnership with The Chicago Lighthouse’s Virtual Parent Support Group
APH FamilyConnect and The Chicago Lighthouse are pleased to offer this virtual support group for parents and families of children who are blind or visually impaired. These monthly sessions are for families to connect with and learn from each other about the joys, challenges, and adventures of raising children with visual impairments and blindness. These sessions are open to families. You only need to register once for this ongoing series. The No ACVREP or professional development credits will not be available.
About the Association of Parents and Staff
The Association of Parents and Staff (APS) is an organization of parents who have children with special needs in any of TrueNorth's 18 member school districts, and the staff who serve them. Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of our children with disabilities through advocacy, partnership and support. Together with our staff partners, we hope to heighten awareness and understanding of learning differences, provide ongoing training and education, and offer support and connections to all.
Whether children are enrolled in a TrueNorth instructional classroom or receive services through their local school district, all parents of children with learning differences are welcome.
If you would like to connect with your district representative or have questions for our Parent Engagement Facilitator, Nicole Magesis, please email us at apsnewsletter@truenorth804.org
TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 neither endorses nor sponsors any external organization or activity represented in this material. The distribution or display of this material is provided as a community service.
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