Family Bi-Weekly Update
October 6th, 2022
Family Bi-Weekly Newsletter January 13, 2023
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Getting to Know the Association of Parents & Staff (APS)
Introducing Carolyn Koppel, Deerfield District 113
Hi, my name is Carolyn Koppel and I have been involved with the APS board in various ways since 2013. Our family, however, has been a part of NSSED, now True North, for almost 20 years. I was initially introduce to the organization when my oldest son, Eli, was evaluated for speech therapy as a 3 year old. Currently my 17 year old son, Aaron, is part of the True North family. Aaron is medically complex, chronically ill, and super handsome. In another life I worked in the television and film industry in Los Angeles and Chicago. Currently I am the founder of Aaron’s Coffee Corner. We are a 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.
It is an honor to be a part of the APS Board, contributing in a meaningful way, bringing my experience to other families that are searching for support and community.
I hope you reach out with questions, concerns or just to go for coffee because, it’s pretty clear, I like coffee.
If you would like to connect with your district representative or have questions for our Parent Engagement Facilitator, Nicole Magesis, just click the button below and leave a detailed email.
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 #2: Prioritizing Social Emotional Learning & RULER in our Schools
Ongoing Support Opportunities
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.
Social, Recreational & Learning Opportunities
Parent Education Event: Navigating Illinois Disability Services
Haga clic en el volante para la versión en español
Монгол хувилбарын "Flier" дээр дарна уу
한글판 전단지 클릭
Share Your Experience in the FINDS Survey!
Caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have unique experiences and needs in their roles compared to caregivers of other populations. Now is your chance to share your input. The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey seeks to understand these experiences and perspectives to better support families like yours.
The survey can be completed online and is available in English, Spanish, and French.
Those who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of six $250 gift cards.
Your perspective is important and can help create a future of better supports and opportunities for people with IDD and their families!
RAISE, A SPAN Project Webinar: Smart Home Technology
Smart Home Technology: Leading to Independence / Tecnología de Hogar Inteligente: Hacia la Vida Independiente
This webinar will introduce the power of Smart Home technology. Assistive technology does not need to be specialized or costly to be life-changing for students with disabilities and their families. In fact, generic, off-the-shelf, smart home devices can make it possible to live with greater independence, autonomy, safety, security, and joy!
It will provide you with the information you'll need to help students, families, and teachers learn about smart home devices, create a framework to match goals with devices, learn how to build a team to support this technology, and find additional resources. This guide is available to download.
Date: Monday, Jan 23, 2023
Time: 2pm ET
ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!
Este seminario web presentará el poder de la tecnología de hogar inteligente (Smart Home). La tecnología de asistencia no necesita ser especializada o costosa para cambiar la vida de los estudiantes con discapacidades y sus familias. De hecho, los dispositivos domésticos inteligentes genéricos y existentes hacen posible vivir con mayor independencia, autonomía, seguridad y alegría.
El seminario brindará la información que usted necesita para ayudar a los estudiantes, las familias y los maestros a conocer los dispositivos inteligentes para el hogar, crear un marco para hacer coincidir los objetivos con los dispositivos, aprender a formar un equipo para respaldar esta tecnología y encontrar recursos adicionales. Esta guía está disponible para descargar.
Fecha: lunes 23 de enero de 2022
Hora: 2pm ET
Se ofrecerá interpretación al español y ASL (lenguaje de señas americano)
Ascension Alexian Brothers Social Groups
4th & 5th Grade Social & Emotional Wellness Group
Requirements:
- Children in 4th and 5th Grade
• Parent/caregiver participation is required
• Parents will participate in educational sessions at group start, midpoint, and end
• Participation in all 8 sessions is expected
• FREE initial intake with interested participant required (and parent/caregiver, if applicable)
• Registration required
• Cost: $30.00/week
• (Scholarships May Be Available)
To Register:
Call:
847-755-8536
Email:
Buddy Up Tennis
Kohl Children's Museum - Everyone at Play
Kohl Children's Museum Everyone at Play
Sun, Jan 22, 2023, 02:00 PM
2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026, USA
ENGLISH CLASS CALENDAR:
Next Session: January 23, 2023 – March 4, 2023
**Family Beginners: Mondays 6:30-7:30pm CST (Jan 23 – Feb 27)
Beginner (brand new to sign language) or those who need more practice at the vocabulary and simple sentence level.
Family Beginners Registration Link
**Family Beyond Beginners: Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm CST (Jan 26 – Mar 2)
Beyond Beginner Level (know some sign language, need practice with phrases/sentences)
Family Beyond Beginners Registration Link
¡CLASES de LENGUAJE de SENAS AMERICANO (ASL) en ESPANOL!
Estas clases son GRATUITAS para los familiares de niños sordos y con problemas de audición desde el nacimiento hasta la escuela secundaria. Los miembros de la familia extendida son bienvenidos. USTED NO necesita residir en Illinois para participar.
Por favor, enumere a todos los miembros de la familia que planean asistir para que podamos tener un recuento preciso de cuántas personas esperar para la clase.
Los instructores son sordos y se comunican usando ASL e inglés escrito. ¡NO SE UTILIZARÁ AUDIO!
CALENDARIO DE CLASES:
Sesión Invierno: Enero 28, 2022 – Marzo 4, 2023
**Clase de español familiar: sabados 10:00-11:30am CST
CJE Linkages Webinar: Guardianship— How Did We Get Here?
Presented by Katherine Casey, JD, CELA, Principal Partner
Dutton, Casey & Mesoloras P.C. Attorneys At Law
Guardianship is a legal process where a court appoints a decision-maker—
a guardian—for an adult who is unable to make their own decisions (due
to cognitive decline, disability, etc.). Guardianship is the last resort and
should be pursued only when there is no other viable decision-maker for
the vulnerable adult. Attorney Katherine Casey will share her knowledge
about how this legal process works including the span of capacity, surrogate
decision-makers, and the legal process for guardianship.
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2023
Time: 11 am–Noon
Location: Zoom Virtual Meeting with
video and telephone dial-in options
Cost: Free
For more information:
773.508.1106 or linkages@cje.net
LINKAGES is a program that assists seniors who have adult children with disabilities to address the issues, needs and concerns of their family. For more information: https://www.cje.net/linkages
ASL Storytelling
Protected Tomorrows
2023 Parent University Webinar Class Schedule
These classes are designed to help you and your loved one with special needs plan for the future. Presented by Mary Anne Ehlert, along with her many guest speakers and panel members, all webinar classes will be held via Zoom and attendees are required to register. Click here to view the 2023 Parent University Webinar Class Schedule.
VIRTUAL FUTURE IS NOW (VFIN) RESEARCH STUDY
Has your family member with intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) talked about what they want for their future? Not sure on how to prepare your family and loved one with IDD for their future?
If yes, you might be eligible to join the VFIN research study, which consists of an online & interactive training program offered by the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago. The VFIN training program is for adults with IDD & their family members residing in Illinois to help them initiate the future planning process. This training will consist of weekly 1-hour Live Zoom classes and self-paced materials on Google Classroom for 8 weeks in Winter 2023. To know more, visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SDwbtfEXFP3WdGDVKJm5Hm4gU0cXlWlZ/view?usp=share_link
For screening your eligibility, please visit: https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9p0UElW9Ovsk63A or contact us at phone: 312-996-1002 or E-mail at kkeiling@uic.edu
North Suburban YMCA
PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
When school’s out, Keshet is in.
School Day Out
Each day includes a fun field trip, crafts, games and more. School Day Out programs are open to kids and teens of all abilities.
Election Day: Nov 8
Pre-Thanksgiving: Nov 21, 22 & 23* 2022
Winter Day Camp: Dec 23, 30 & Jan 3-6
MLK Day: Jan 16, 2023
Presidents Day: Feb 20, 2023
10am-5pm | $120/day
Details about field trips coming soon.
* 1/2 day
Click below for more information!
Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)
Chicago’s Metropolitan Area Parent Training and Information Center!
PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS: PROTECTIONS UNDER IDEA TRAINING
Date: 01-21-2023
Time: 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Location: Webinar (Link will be mailed to you.)
Description:
If your child is receiving special education, then Notice of Procedural Safeguards For Parents/Guardians of Students of With Disabilities is one of the most important documents you will receive this year because it spells out your rights and responsibilities in the special education system. This training focuses on the components of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards For Parents/Guardians of Students of With Disabilities. These components will include:
Prior Written Notice
Consents
Dispute Resolution Options.
DISCIPLINE AND IDEA
Date: 01-28-2023
Time: 10 AM-12 PM
Location: WEBINAR (Link to actual webinar will be emailed to you.)
Description:
This webinar discusses your child’s rights about discipline in the special education system while dispelling any myths and misunderstandings.
Free Family Movie Night: Minions The Rise of Gru
January 15, 2023 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 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: Sunday, January 15
Time: 5:30 pm
Rating: PG
Program Code: 137002-01
Paint N’ Party
February 5, 2023 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
$65
Let your creativity shine through at Color Me Mine. Paint a pottery masterpiece to take home and display. After, we’ll walk over to Ben & Jerry’s for a sweet treat. See you there!
Age: 7 – 21
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 13
Program Code / Fee: 137005-61 / $65
Wolves Game
February 19, 2023
$87
Go, Wolves, go! NSSRA invites all hockey fans to join in the fun. Enjoy hockey night with your friends while we watch the Chicago Wolves take on the Cleveland Monsters.
The program fee includes tickets, hot dogs, and a drink.
Please bring additional money if you would like to purchase snacks or souvenirs.
Expect a phone call regarding drop-off times as the game length varies.
Age: 7 – 21
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 20
Program Code / Fee: 137007-61 / $87
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
ILS & F2F Lunchtime Webinar: Special Recreation/Leisure Activities: Planning for Summer
Description
Now is the time to plan for Summer Camp!
Join us today to learn about programming available through Special Recreation Associations located in northern and central Illinois.
Feb 14, 2023 12:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada)
Seminario Web del Centro de Información de Salud Familia a Familia / ILS
febrero de 2023
1 Illinois Life Span
Family to Family Health
Information Center
Ahora es el momento de planificar las
actividades de los Programs Especiales del
Distrito de Parques y Recreaciones disponibles
para el verano.
14 de febrero
SEMINARIO WEB
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Acompáñenos para escuchar a los cuatro
directores sobre las oportunidades de los
campamentos de verano y más.
¿PREGUNTAS?
Escanee para Registrarse
Regístrese con anticipación
para este siminario web en
Talleres en Espanol
Estos talleres son sin costo alguno. Se ofrecen por medio de Internet (remote) en una junta de Zoom y requiere inscripción.
February 9, 2023 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GyIEBBxaSW2vcCT3WxFw8w
February 16, 2023 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CI0VRtTUQ7WWs3rncSALrA
Services for People with Disabilities (SFPD) presents a free Community Education Workshop: PUNS- The Basics
When: Wednesday, January 25th, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Online via TEAMS- please note we will not be using zoom
The PUNS list, Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services, is the database that the Department of Human Services (DHS) uses to understand how many individuals in Illinois want or need Developmental Disability Waiver services.
Join guest speaker Ruth Aguilar, Ligas Family Advocate, from The Arc of Illinois for an overview of PUNS. Learn more about qualifications, requirements to enroll, prioritization, the benefits of being on the PUNS list, and steps to help in the process. Q&A will be available. This presentation will be helpful to people with disabilities and their families, as well as professionals.
This event is free and open to the public. Continuing education credits are available for QIDP's. *Session may be recorded.
Registration is required. To register please click on the link:
https://jcfs.formstack.com/forms/puns_the_basics
or call Kathryn Dougherty at 773-765-3158 to register.
You will receive a TEAMS link to participate via email the day prior to the session. If you need assistance getting started with TEAMS, please reach out to me.
For help with registration, and for any accommodations, please contact
“My Disability Roadmap” Virtual Screening & Talkback
Wed., February 1 | 7-8:30pm
FREE!
All are welcome to kick-off JDAIM with a virtual screening of the award-winning short documentary, “My Disability Roadmap” about Samuel Habib, a 21-year-old, who wants to date, leave home, go to college. But he drives a 350-pound wheelchair, uses a communication device, and can have a seizure at any moment. Determined to find his path forward, he seeks out guidance from America’s most rebellious disability activists. Will they empower him to launch the bold adult life he craves?
Before the film, disability advocate and author of “Demystifying Disability” Emily Ladau will join for a live virtual conversation. After the film, JCC Chicago Inclusion Coordinator Rena Rosen will chat with the film’s co-director and star, Sam Habib. Closed captioning will be provided.
Messy Day At The J: Sensory Friendly Edition
Sun., February 12 | 1-2:30pm
FREE!
Get ready to get messy! Join us for an afternoon of paint, kinetic sand, slime and more at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook. This program will be geared for children 3-10 years old and is sensory-friendly with moderate lighting, to accommodate sensitivity to light, noise cancelling headphones will be provided to support reduction of sensory overload and a quiet zone with fidgets are available on hand for anyone looking to take a step away from the mess.
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!
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.
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