Family Bi-Weekly Update
October 6th, 2022
Getting to Know the Association of Parents & Staff (APS)
The Association of Parents & Staff (APS) was formed in 1997 with the primary goal of advocating for the interests of parents in TrueNorth’s 18 member districts who had children with learning differences. The APS Executive Board is comprised of parents of children with a broad spectrum of ages and abilities who join TrueNorth and member district leaders in creating best practices that increase pathways to student success in community, college and careers. Individual members bring a unique perspective based upon their own personal experiences, but think broadly about our greater, shared community.
Introducing the TrueNorth Parent Engagement Facilitator:
Hi! I'm Nicole Magesis (MA-guh-sis). I am the new Parent Engagement Facilitator for TrueNorth. Over the last decade, I have worked as a case manager/social worker for children with disabilities and their families at New Jersey’s Special Child Health Services and the NJ Early Intervention System. When I am not working, I love to spend time with my family, read, cook, watch Miami Hurricanes football (Go Canes!) and play with my dog, Callie. As I embark on this new role, I hope to bring my love for advocating, educating and supporting families to the TrueNorth community and our member districts.
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.
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.
Family Matters: S.O.S. - Support Our Siblings
Join Family Matters for this free webinar and get a better understanding of the 'why" and 'how' to offer ongoing supports to siblings.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Nov 29, 2022 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: S.O.S. - Support Our Siblings
Register in advance for this webinar HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
ABLE Accounts: Benefits of Having One and How They Work
November 30, 2022
2-3pm CST via Zoom
ABLE accounts can offer individuals with disabilities a path toward greater financial independence by providing an ability to plan, save, and spend money on services, products, and education while preserving their benefits (eg: Medicaid, SSI, SSDI).
Join us as presenter Rosemary Laudani from the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office answers these and many other questions:
- Who is eligible to own an Illinois ABLE account?
- Will I lose SSI, SSDI or Medicaid if I have an Illinois ABLE account?
- What do I need to know about owning and contributing to an Illinois ABLE account?
- Can I work if I have an ABLE account
The Early CHOICES inclusion initiative promotes increasing high quality inclusive early care and education for each and every child birth to age 5. Our goal is to increase the number of children with disabilities receiving specialized services in regular early care and education settings.
Early CHOICES will accomplish this through:
- Providing technical assistance and facilitating professional learning for teams that support children and families
- Engaging and empowering families to access resources and information
- Collaborating with other Illinois early care and education entities
STAR NET Region II
Transforming Aggressive Behaviors [Conscious Discipline]
December 5, 2022- 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
In this workshop you will gain a toolbox of skills necessary to identify, meet, and manage your most difficult children
Presenter: Jill Molli
Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)
Chicago’s Metropolitan Area Parent Training and Information Center!
FRCD is here to help you:
- Learn about your Rights and Responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Make informed decisions about your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Obtain appropriate services for your child
- Communicate more effectively with school professionals
- Come together with other parents who share your concerns and desires to make a difference
- Learn more about Early Intervention and transition services
- Effect positive change in your child’s school.
- Learn about what he or she needs to lead a productive and independent adult life
NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION PLAN: SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS WEBINAR
Date: Saturday, 12-03-2022
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: WEBINAR (Link to actual webinar will be emailed to you.)
Description:
Preparing your child to transition to adulthood can be a daunting task. This webinar will focus on the initial steps of the transition process in the Illinois special education system from an academic perspective. The topics covered include:
- Defining transition plans and their components
- Understanding transition services
- Tips for parents preparing their child for adulthood.
SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY
Date: Saturday, 12-10-2022
Time: 10AM-12PM
Location: Zoom link will be emailed to you.
Description:
Tired of getting the run-around while wading through and alphabet soup of acronyms and not being sure of what you can and should do to help your child? This workshop will provide you with important tools:
- Going from Frustration to Power
- Who is an advocate and why be an advocate?
- Follow Six skills to effective advocacy.
Family Movie Night: Lightyear
December 16 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
FREE
Bring the whole family and your own movie snacks for our FREE Family Movie Nights.
Registrants will be notified prior to the movie if it will be held outdoors.
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.
You loved Toy Story; now check out this film within a film. In 1995, a boy named Andy got a Buzz Lightyear toy for his birthday. It was from his favorite movie. This is that movie.
Date: Friday, December 16
Time: 6:00 pm
Rating: PG
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.
Robert H. Farley, Jr., Attorney at Law Presents How To Be Successful In Obtaining Funding For A Person With A Disability (Developmentally Disabled; Mental Health Condition & Others)
December 8, 2022, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ZOOM Meeting
(Please RSVP by email if you will be attending so we can email to you the ZOOM invitation)
This workshop - and all our workshops - are offered free of charge.
Securing services for children and adults with developmental disabilities can be one of the most challenging experiences family members and guardians face as they care for their loved one. Accordingly, parents and agencies are welcomed and encouraged to attend this workshop.
Prior to attending this workshop, please download and print attorney Farley's "Book" on How to Navigate the Illinois Disability System. This is a free download. Please plan to bring a copy of "The Book" to the workshop.
This presentation specifically addresses the following issues.
- Why It Is Essential To Get On State of Illinois "Waiting List?"
- What To Do If You Cannot Wait For Your Child's Name To Be Pulled From The Waiting List
- What Services Are Available For Your Child From The State of Illinois?
- Guardianship - How To Obtain / Is Guardianship Necessary?
- Special Needs Trusts
- Applying for SSI Benefits at age 18.
- Update on Current Litigation in Illinois On Behalf of Disabled Persons & How It Will Affect Your Child.
- Strategies To Obtain Funding For Disability Services & Overcome Those Persons Who Tell You That You Cannot Succeed Unless You Are An Emergency.
