Congratulations to our very own FSN/Arc Ligas Family Advocate, Kimberly
Johnson- Evans and Phil Milsk! They worked very hard on this bill. Kimberly
is standing in the back as Governor Quinn signs the Bullying bill, Kimberly
testified for the bill in both the House and Senate!
CHICAGO — Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation on Thursday June 26,
2014 to crack down on bullying in Illinois. The bill will help protect Illinois
students from bullying both inside and outside the classroom. This action is
part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to ensure the safety of students in every
community across Illinois.
Please click on link below to view video of the signing: Kimberly is standing in the
back of the Governor as the bill is being signed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp-LJpOkK40
Tony Records
Ligas Consent Decree Reaches Three Years of Implementation –
The Ligas Consent Decree was ordered by the Court on June 15, 2011. The Decree
calls for the infusion of significant new resources for community-based services and
provides for thousands of class members and their families to have choices of how
and where services will be provided. The Decree also calls for people with
developmental disabilities (class members) who live in privately-operated ICF/DD
facilities to receive funding to transition to community-based services if they choose
to do so.
Since the signing of the Decree, more than 1,600 people with developmental
disabilities who were on the PUNS waiting list are now receiving community services
and supports funded through the Illinois Medicaid Home and Community-based
waiver. In addition to the class members coming off of the waiting list, more than
600 people who once lived in an ICF/DD facility have since transitioned to
community-based services and are now living their lives in a new home they chose.
All class members who move are entitled to a written Ligas Service Transition Plan.
This person-centered document is now used for any Ligas class member who is
selected for funding for community-based services and who moves from one
location to another. To learn more about this planning process see the Illinois
DDD website.
Thank you to all of the speakers, family members and self-advocates for
your attendance at our previous informational sessions!
The Family Support Network and the Ligas Family Advocate Program will continue to
bring you informational sessions across the state during the summer months. So
please mark your calendar for upcoming events:
Save the date: August 8, 2014
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Round Table Discussion with Director Kevin Casey
Heritage Plaza- Bethune Room
1551 West 95th Street (across the street from Third Baptist Church)
Chicago, IL 60643
This will be an opportunity for families to meet directly with Director Casey to share
their experiences/concerns in their efforts to obtain services. It will also be an
opportunity for families and individual’s to share with each other the creative ways
they are using their Home Base and CILA funding. There is no cost – but you will need
to register so that we can have an accurate count for lunch. Please register by calling
708-331-7370 or emailing Cynthia@familysupportnetwork.org. More information to
come…
Save the Date Saturday, August 16, 2014
The Arc Family Support Network (FSN) – Ligas Family Advocate (LFA) Southern
Workshop. If you have questions about Medicaid, SSI Ligas, PUNS, Home-based
services and CILA Options- then you need to be at this event. Our LFA, Missy
Kichline is hard at work – stay tuned for more information!
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2014 Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Address: Impact CIL The East Room 2751 East Broadway Alton, IL 62002
Reminder from The Arc of Illinois “Living With Autism” Conference will be taking place on
October 9, 2014 at the Hilton Hotel in Lisle, IL. This conference will examine
topics relating to a variety of issues that will help families, professionals, and
individuals living with Autism. Our featured keynote speaker, Arthur Fleischman,
author of “Carly’s Voice” and a parent of a remarkable daughter, Carly, who is
non-verbal and has severe Autism. Arthur will discuss his family’s journey with Carly
and her amazing breakthrough in communication. Carly’s story has been featured
on 20/20, Larry King, Travis Strork of CBS, The Doctors, Holly Robinson Peete, and
she has even befriended Ellen DeGenerous!
Barbara T. Doyle, MS will present “Tips and Tricks for Supporting People with
Autism Spectrum Disorders Everywhere!” Parents, friends, families, educators,
therapists and anyone working in the adult services delivery system can pick up
some ready-to-use support strategies that will help them become a more effective
support person to any individual on the Autism spectrum.
Linda Hodgdon, M. Ed., CCC-SLP will present “Capturing the Benefits of Visual
Strategies.”
Participants will learn how to best capitalize on the strengths of students with Autism,
Asperger’s and related communication challenges by using visual strategies.
*Continuing Education Credits for professionals will be available at this conference.
*Financial assistance is available for family members and self advocates.
For questions, please contact our office at (815) 464-1832
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org
