PARENT UNIVERSITY FALL 2025
A note from the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services:
Dear Families,
We’re excited to share that we’ll be offering even more workshops this year! We have 5-6 Parent University events planned, including a special panel discussion that will address topics identified from last year’s feedback. To ensure everyone can participate, we will continue to provide childcare and translation services as needed. We’re thrilled to bring you these opportunities in collaboration with the SEDOL Foundation and look forward to learning and growing together.
With gratitude,
Dr. Yesenia Jiménez-Captain
Lake County Center for Independent Living
DATE: Tuesday, October 14th, 2025
TIME: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: SEDOL Administration Building
18160 W. Gages Lake Rd. Gages Lake, IL 60030
COST: Free
PRESENTERS: Justin Ogden
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Please join us to learn about this organization and their 5 core services: Information & Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Peer Mentoring, Advocacy and Transition. There will also be an optional Q & A session after the presentation. The presentation should be no longer than 1 hour.
PUNS Night with Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU)
DATE: Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
TIME: 5:00 - 8:00 PM (appointments every 30 minutes)
LOCATION: SEDOL Administration Building
18160 W. Gages Lake Rd. Gages Lake, IL 60030
COST: Free
PRESENTERS: Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU)
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: SEDOL is proud to host Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU) to help families complete the first portion of the PUNS process (more information on PUNS provided HERE).
REQUIREMENTS & WHAT TO BRING:
Families need to bring their child with them for the appointment because it is an IDHS/DDD requirement that the first PUNS meeting be done face-to-face with the individual as well as the primary caregiver or guardian.
- Copy of Social Security card
- If permanent resident, bring copies of paperwork that show residency
- Copy of Medicaid card (if applicable)
- *Copy of IEP
- *Copy of most recent school evaluation or private psychological evaluation to document your child's identified disability
*For SEDOL students, we will have the most recent IEP and school re-evaluation available for you to provide to CAU. However, please bring a copy of any private evaluation if you have one.
Laremont School's Special Needs Resource Fair & Fall Festival/Trunk Or Treat
SEDOL Foundation's One Special Night
American Sign Language Classes
The Arc of Illinois
Highlights include:
- Illinois Life Span Program: Provides statewide information and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and professionals.
- Family Advocate Program, Family Support Network, and Family Transition Project
- Family-to-Family Health Information Center
- Upcoming FREE webinars (English and Spanish):
- Medicaid with an Expert! (10/6)
Programa de Abogacía para Familias – Conoce Tus Opciones FAP (10/8)
Family Advocate Program - Know Your Options (10/9 or 10/21)
Living with Epilepsy (10/14)
Guardianship and Alternatives for Adult Decision Making (10/23)
Seminario Web en Espanol: Los Programas del Departamento de Servicios de Rehabilitacion (DRS) (10/23)
Assistive Technology Across the Lifespan: Facts, Features & Fit (11/4)
.....and MANY MORE!
Is your child approaching 14 1/2 years old?
Please consider reviewing this comprehensive 'School-to-Work Transition Guide' created by the Illinois Transition Study Group.
Highlights include features of the transition process and IEP, roles and responsibilities at the meetings, a timeline for transition planning, and key resources and agencies to help support the next steps.
Visit the Illinois Center for Transition and Work if you'd like to learn more about this organization and how it supports parents and students in transition planning.
SEDOL Sibshop
DATES: September 20th, October 4th, November 8th, February 7th, March 7th and April 18th (ALL Saturdays)
TIME: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Laremont School, 17934 Gages Lake Rd, Gages Lake
COST: $7 per session
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Sibshops are fun, engaging groups for kids (ages 5 and up) who have a sibling with intellectual disabilities or Autism. Parents do not need to stay for the duration of the event.
REGISTER: email Sheila Geier at sgeier@sedol.us to sign up!
Parent University is designed for families, by families. Tell us what topics, resources, or speakers you’d like to see in future newsletters and workshops. Your input helps us make Parent University meaningful and relevant for you!
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT