Evie Pambah, District 27 Northbrook

Evie Pambah is in her second year on the APS board, a role that she has found to be enriching, and one that has allowed her to better understand how to support one of her children navigate the academic journey here in District 27. Evie got involved with NSSED (TrueNorth) when her daughter, at the age of 3, was evaluated and started receiving support services through NSSED. She believes knowledge is power and that sharing that knowledge with others and being a voice for other parents is gratifying.

Evie has an MBA from Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. She currently lives in Northbrook with her husband Sam, and their three children: Kyle (18); Ryan (13); and Nia (10). She enjoys reading, traveling, cooking and watching the Amazing Race. Feel free to reach her if you have any questions or concerns.

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

Engage with your legislators by making a call, sending a letter or completing a witness slip indicating your support for the wage increase for Direct Support Professionals (DSP)

What is the IDD community seeking in FY24?

SB2026 and HB3569 would implement a $4 per hour DSP wage increase beginning 1/1/24.

The ask is $88.5M in addition to the Governor’s Introduced Budget.

They Deserve More is moving forward assertively with state legislators to advocate strongly for a $4 per hour wage increase for the dedicated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Once again, it is so important that legislators hear from you -- their constituents -- about why this increase is so critically needed to support people with disabilities, their families and the staff who provide day services and 24/7/365 residential care.

Tell your legislators to implement a $4 per hour raise increase for DSPs.

Click the link below to learn more and contact your legislator. Encourage your friends and family to do the same!

Learn More at https://www.theydeservemore.com/

Join us to learn more about TrueNorth's summer construction project to renovate the Rubloff Building and District Services Center!

Wednesday, May 10

Light refreshments will be served.

In November 2022, the Leadership Council approved renovations to the Red Oak Campus to support several student needs moving into the 2023-2024 school year. As part of this renovation, North Shore Academy Elementary will move from its current space in Northbrook to the Rubloff Building on campus. Additionally, the south end of the District Services Center will be renovated to develop four instructional spaces for Transition students.

Construction will begin in the District Services Center next week and at the Rubloff Building at the beginning of June. Both sites will be completed in August with students and staff starting in their new locations at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.

We look forward to celebrating with you to kick off our construction project!

Free IN-PERSON 3-Day Training Event

Two Locations (select one)

TRAINING DATES & TIMES

Thursday, May 11th 12:30pm-1:30pm

Zoom Link: https://truenorth804.zoom.us/j/2124096418

It is that time of the year again! Time for the CBM Summer Mindfulness Camps!! This year we have two camps per day, Monday-Friday, from 6/12/23-7/29/23 (There will be no camp the week of July 4th). Each week will be a new camp with plenty of fun themes and activities.

Our morning camp will be for our little friends grades K-5 (8:30AM - 11:30 AM). The teen camp will be for grades 6-12 (12:PM-3:PM). Please feel free to share the attached flyers with anyone you think may be interested, and email me (achast2@uic.edu) should you have any questions! It is going to be a fun summer at CBM!

The registration link can be accessed through the QR code on the flyer, or at the following link: https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZ5kwiVR2GpXWom

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.

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.

Legal Planning and Protecting Assets for Your Child with Special Needs | May 11 | 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
Presenters: Jennifer Sabourin, JD, Clancy & Associates
Teams Meeting Link

Guardianship and Alternatives for Supportive Decision Making | May 25 | 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
Presenters: Karin Carli, JD, and Susan Fleming, JD, Greenlight Family Services
Teams Meeting Link

Overview of the Arc of Illinois’ Services & Programs | June 8 | 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
Presenters: Ms. Erica Stearns, Information & Outreach Specialist, The Arc of Illinois’ Lifespan Program
Teams Meeting Link

Changes in Public Benefits as an Adult | June 22 | 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
Presenters: Sarah Hess, JD, Legal Council for Health Justice
Teams Meeting Link

Vocational Options after the age of 22 | July 13 | 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
Presenters: Jamie Taradash,CRC, Manager, Pre-Vocational and Life Planning, Lurie Children’s
Teams Meeting Link

What: Paid fellowships for projects supporting the missions of Progress Center for Independent Living and Chicago ADAPT

Who: No restrictions on eligibility for those who apply When: Fellowships run year round. Current applications are due June 1, 2023

How much: Fellows may receive a stipend of up to $5,000 depending on project Call for applications is now open for the Larry Biondi Fellowship for Radical Thought & Action. If you are interested in a paid 4-6 month fellowship working on projects that advance the work of two leading disability rights organizations in the Chicago area, we look forward to hearing from you.

Everyone is welcome to join us for our monthly meetup with TotalLink participants and friends at:

Madame ZuZu's Karaoke Night

Dates:

May 18

Time:

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Location:

Madame ZuZu’s Cafe

1876 1st St.

Highland Park, IL

Register HERE

Date/Time
Date(s) - May 11, 2023
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Speaker: Mary Anne Ehlert, President & Founder, Protected Tomorrows, Inc.

Description:

Friends are an important part of everyone’s quality of life. Recreation and relaxation with friends is often the key to our happiness. Where to we find programs and services to help us? How might you start to think about the process to build a social circle for your child, utilizing the technology and other resources available to us?

Mary Anne Ehlert will host this online Zoom class on:

May 11th, 2023

12:00pm – 1:00 pm CDT

Click here to register!

Chicago’s Metropolitan Area Parent Training and Information Center!

May 6, 2023

10:00 AM - 12:00PM

Do you have questions about your child's IEP, but don't know how or when to ask them? Are you concerned about how your child's IEP is being followed? Do you want to learn how to effectively prepare for your child's IEP Meeting?

This webinar provides an overview of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and discusses the parents role as a member of the IEP team.

Register Here

May 13, 2023

Time: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Slotnick Center

1221 County Line Rd.

Highland Park, IL, 60035

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.

Click Here to Register

Illinois Life Span (ILS) & Family to Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC)

May 9, 2023 | Virtual Webinar

Presented by Megan Forristall, Public Affairs Specialist

May Meet-Up!

May 25 from 6-7pm central, join pediatric audiologist Dr. Michelle Hu as she shares her experiences from patient to professional as a Hard of Hearing audiologist.

Event is free and virtual.

Register Here

ASL, English, and Spanish accessible.

Reunion:

Audiologia Pediátrica

Invitada especial y presentadora la Dr. Michelle Hu compartira historias personales y profesionales de su experiencia personal como una audiologa para niños con mal de oído.

Mayo 25, 2023 de 6-7pm central

Es un evento Virtual!

Registracion es gratis pero requirida

Disponibilidad en lenguaje de Seña, Español e Ingles.

Registrar Aquí

Join the Chicago Park District and CHS for our annual KidFest!

Participate in fishing, games, storytelling, scavenger hunt, and an opportunity to socialize with other Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing families!

June 10, 2023 from 10am - 12:30pm at McKinley Park in Chicago.

Registration free but required.

www.bit.ly/KidFest23

The event will be accessible in ASL, English, and Spanish.

Register Now!

Un día lleno de diversion, cuentos en language, de señas, música y actividades de cocina. Un día de diversión para los niños sordos, sordociegos o con problemas de audición y sus familias para aprender sobre los recursos locales, jugar juegos y conocer otras familias.

Sábado, 10 de junio de 2023

10-12:30pm, McKinley Park, Chicago.

ASL, inglés y español accesible.

Este es un evento presencial que se llevará a cabo al aire libre. La preinscripción es gratuita pero obligatoria:

Registrar Aquí

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.

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.

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 #6: Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

Listen Here

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.

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.

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.

Register Here

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