Enjoy inclusive egg hunts, time with the Easter Bunny and lots of family fun at sites across Illinois

Wondering where the Easter Bunny will hop next?

Check out our Special Events page to find sensory-friendly Easter Bunny visits and egg hunt options for individuals with disabilities of all ages.

The Bunny Cares program offers Easter Bunny visits in a calmer, quieter environment that supports visitors’ sensory, physical and developmental needs. Autism Speaks and Cherry Hill Programs have teamed up to provide these special Bunny Cares photo opportunities.

Bunny Cares events are scheduled at several malls in Illinois on Sunday, April 6.

Click on the locations below to learn more and book your free sensory bunny visit (be sure to search the event schedule for “Bunny Cares,” “Caring Bunny” or “Sensory Bunny” for each location):

• Fox Valley
• Gurnee Mills
• Hawthorn
• Northwoods Mall (IL)
• Orland Square Mall
• Woodfield Mall

Photos will be available to buy at each event. Reservations are limited. Visit the Bunny Cares website for more details and a complete list of sites.

There are more “eggs-cellent” opportunities to meet the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs throughout Illinois.

If you’re located in the west and northwest suburbs, check out Kidlist for Easter egg hunts and more.

We’ve also highlighted a variety of egg hunts and bunny visits happening in communities across the state. These events include:

• Bunny Hop Breakfast for People with Disabilities and Their Families in Schaumburg on April 5 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
• Sensory-Friendly Easter Bunny Event in Springfield on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• The Dr. Patchett Extra Special Eggstravaganza in Carterville on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Inclusive “Easter Egg Hunt Miracle Mile” Event in Rockford on April 6 from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Sensory Egg Hunt for Children With Disabilities in Champaign on April 12 from 1 to 3:15 p.m.

Our Special Events page has more opportunities for finding colorful eggs, having fun and celebrating spring.

Many of the events are free. You can use the contact and registration information provided with each event listing to learn more.

Please note that the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) does not sponsor or organize these events. We are sharing the details to help families find inclusive events in their communities.

Check out our summer camp list to explore opportunities and find the right fit for your camper

Does your child want to make new friends? Develop new skills? Meet others with their condition or become more independent?

Head to our 2025 summer camp list. You’ll find accessible day, overnight and family camps across Illinois and beyond.

These programs welcome campers with a wide range of needs, abilities and many of our Core Program’s eligible medical conditions. The camps also cater to a wide range of interests, including:

• Learning to program and other computer skills
• Building independence and self-advocacy skills
• Exploring the great outdoors
• Cooking, art, drama and more

If you’re looking for the perfect camp opportunity, there are several ways to search on our website:

• Use the search box and filter option on our Events page to search for camps and other related keywords and locations
• View our 2025 summer camp list
• Use our Events Calendar view

Our list continues to grow, so check back often!

PLEASE NOTE: we share these opportunities for information purposes only. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) does not manage or coordinate these camp opportunities or programs. If you have questions about a specific camp, please use the contact number or website we list for each program.

If you know of any summer camp opportunities we should add, please send us the details at dscc@uic.edu.

Here’s to a fantastic summer filled with smiles and new experiences!

Build your leadership skills and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through this free training program for graduate students, self-advocates and family members.

The University of Illinois Chicago’s (UIC) Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities Program (IL LEND) training program is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year.

IL LEND is housed in the Department of Disability and Human Development at UIC. It is part of LEND’s nationwide network providing interdisciplinary training to improve the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities.

LEND focuses on providing individuals with the skills necessary to create positive change on all levels, from the individual to systems.

The IL LEND fellowship program brings together trainees from diverse backgrounds. The interdisciplinary leadership training includes 15 disciplines (see the IL LEND brochure for a complete list). Classroom and hands-on learning experiences focus on seven key areas:

• Leadership
• Public health
• Interdisciplinary clinical training and practice
• Cultural competence
• Family-centered care
• Emerging issues
• Research

Sessions take place over two semesters starting August 2025 and ending May 2026.

The training will focus on serving individuals with disabilities and their families through coordinated, culturally competent and family-centered care. It will also focus on gaining a deeper understanding of public health services and policy systems change.

Training will include:

• An individually tailored mentorship
• Weekly didactic (classroom) sessions
• Research or leadership projects
• Community outreach
• Policy and advocacy training
• Clinical training with a focus on Autism

There is no cost to participate in the fellowship program. Eligible trainees can receive a stipend.

This program is open to graduate students, adults with developmental disabilities, and parents and/or siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities. All trainees complete 300-plus hours of leadership and discipline-specific classroom (didactic), clinical and community training.

IL LEND trainees from the Chicago metropolitan area meet in person at UIC for their LEND training. Trainees can also join remotely through training sites at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The program gives priority to the following applicants:

• Family members
• Self-advocates
• Graduate students in the represented disciplines, which include nursing, social work, developmental pediatrics, disability studies and public health.

See the IL LEND graduate program brochure for more details and a complete list of study areas.

Read more about applying on the IL LEND website. You can also click on the links below to download the:

• Self-advocate application
• Family member application
• Graduate student application

The deadline to apply is March 1.

Miss Amazing is a national nonprofit program that encourages girls and women with disabilities to consider their goals, challenge themselves and take pride in who they are.

The Illinois Miss Amazing experience brings together a diverse group of participants to build friendships, build self-confidence and practice key self-advocacy skills in a fun environment.

The 2025 Illinois Miss Amazing program is accepting applications for participants through Jan. 25.

The program is also accepting application for volunteers who want to help and share in the experience.

The 2025 Illinois Miss Amazing Amplify event is on Feb. 22 at Center Stage Theater in Naperville.

Participation is open to girls and women ages 5 and older who have:

• An Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Program Plan (IPP)
• A 504 Plan
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• A physician’s records proving disability

Amplify event activities will include:

• Show rehearsal
• Interviewing
• Passion presentation
• Hair, makeup and more

Are you ready to share your passion and shine?

Illinois Miss Amazing will accept applications until Jan. 25 or when all spots fill up.

Volunteers with and without disabilities can also lend a hand on and off the stage. Visit the Illinois Miss Amazing website to apply as a volunteer or learn more about volunteer options.

You can also read about our former participant, Izzy Gonzalez, an Illinois Miss Amazing alum pursuing a career in theater.

Families have until Jan. 30, 2025, to share their input on a state plan amendment allowing CNAs to become paid family caregivers.

Families can now share their feedback to allow more parents/legally responsible adults (LRAs) to become paid caregivers for their children at home.

The public comment period is currently open for a state plan amendment allowing parents/LRAs to become paid caregivers if they are a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and employed by a nursing agency.

Currently, parents/LRAs are paid for providing skilled nursing services to their children if they hold an active registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) license. This rule applies to parents/LRAs of all children approved for Home Care Program services, regardless of the child’s age.

Allowing parents and caregivers who are CNAs to become paid caregivers is an important step in strengthening support for families of individuals who need in-home shift nursing.

This change requires an amendment to the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver). It also requires the creation of a new state plan amendment. Both approvals must be in place to allow for this change.

The public comment period for the new state plan amendment is now open until Jan. 30. You can read the public comment notice for the state plan amendment on the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) website.

Here is how you can review the amendment and share your feedback.

Review the Amendment

• Visit the HFS website to download and/or print a copy of the proposed state plan amendment.
  
• Email HFS.BPPC@illinois.gov to request a digital copy of the proposed state plan amendment.
  
• Review a hard copy of the proposed state plan amendment at HFS’ offices at:
  
  • 201 South Grand Ave. E.,
    Springfield, IL 62763
    
  • 401 S. Clinton
    Chicago, IL 60607

Share Your Feedback

HFS is accepting public input on the proposed state plan amendment through Jan. 30, 2025.

You can share your feedback in two ways:

• Email your input to HFS.BPPC@illinois.gov.
• Mail your written input to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Attention: Bureau of Program and Policy Coordination, 201 South Grand Ave. E., 2nd floor, Springfield, IL 62763

This public comment process is one of the best ways you can make your voice heard.

Next Steps

In addition to the new state plan amendment, we have worked closely with HFS to incorporate this new rule into the MFTD waiver. This waiver amendment is currently under federal review for approval.

There is currently no set timeline for the state plan amendment and the MFTD waiver amendment to be approved.

Once approved, we will notify our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant families as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact your DSCC Care Coordinator at (800) 322-3722. 

Experience the magic of the season with Santa visits, light displays and other fun events happening throughout Illinois.

The holiday season is a time for joy, connection and celebration. For individuals with sensory sensitivities and other disabilities, traditional festivities can sometimes feel overwhelming.

We’ve gathered a list of inclusive and sensory-friendly holiday events happening throughout Illinois to help families celebrate the season.

There are light displays, sensitive Santa opportunities, parades and more going on throughout Illinois.

Our Special Events page includes a roundup of opportunities designed specifically for youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

We hope this collection of events will help spark ideas to create your own holiday magic:

• The Secret Sleigh Project coordinates volunteers to provide in-home Santa visits to children who are medically fragile nationwide. See our Secret Sleigh event listing for more details on how to request a visit.
  
• Autism Speaks and Cherry Hill Programs will provide free sensory-friendly Santa experiences at multiple shopping centers in Illinois on Dec. 8. You must sign up to attend. Photo packages will be available to buy. Visit the Santa Cares website for a complete list of Santa’s stops. Be sure to select “Santa Cares”, “Caring Santa” or “Sensitive Santa” when checking your location. (Note some event dates and times may vary. Please check your location to confirm your date and time.)
  
• The National Federation of the Blind is offering letters from Santa and winter celebration letters in Braille to children who are blind or have low vision. The program is for children 10 years old and younger. Please complete the letter request form by Dec. 16. Letters are available in English or Spanish. If you have any questions, call (410) 659-9314, ext. 2236, or email education@nfb.org.
  
• Enjoy a movie on the big screen with the lights up, lower sound and the freedom to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing. Visit the following sites to find more details and a theater near you:
  
  • AMC and the Autism Society’s Sensory Friendly Films
  • Reel Movies for Real Needs
  • Studio Movie Grill
    
• For families in the Chicago area, Chicago Parent magazine has a roundup of sensory-friendly Chicagoland events as a list of free holiday activities for Chicagoland families. Activities include:
  
  • Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum
  • Special Kids Day Visit With Santa in Elmhurst
  • Holiday Express at Blackberry Farm
  • Sensory-Friendly Performance of A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre.
    
• In central Illinois, enjoy time with Santa at the sensory-friendly “Meet and Greet with Santa” in Springfield or the “Sensory Hour Sweets with Santa” at the Allerton Mansion in Monticello. The Illinois Times family event calendar and Chambanamoms.com website also provide lists of events, parades, light displays and more in and around the Springfield and Champaign-Urbana areas.
  
• Southern Illinois residents can find many fun seasonal activities on SI Families’ event calendar. It’s packed with ideas including the:
  
  • Very Merry Marion Parade
  • Christmas Open House with Santa at the Benton Public Library
  • Lights Fantastic Parade in Carbondale
    
• St. Louis events include Breakfast with Signing Santa and Milk & Cookies with Santa in St. Louis – Chesterfield.
  
• The animals at zoos throughout Illinois are celebrating the season, too! Check out Sensory Night at St. Louis Zoo Wild Lights, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo or contact your local zoo to find out what’s happening and when.

Be sure to check our Special Events page often as we add more holiday activities to the list. If you know of a good sensory-friendly event to share, please email us at dscc@uic.edu.

Happy Holidays!

Please note, the University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is not involved in the organizing or scheduling of these holiday events. If you have questions about a specific event, please contact the event sponsor or organizer.

Accessible guides and information on your rights and options as a voter with a disability

It’s important that individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to vote.

As the Nov. 5 election approaches, we want to highlight the resources available to help people with disabilities cast their ballots.

• The Arc has helpful voting resources, including a Disability Voter Guide in plain language in English and Spanish on how voting works, how to register to vote, how to help others vote and more. You can also find sample questions for candidates and a guide about issues that affect the disability community. Visit https://thearc.org/vote/.
  
• The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has an Election Engagement Hub that provides information and tools for disabled voters to engage as meaningfully as possible in their state, local and federal elections. You can find state-by-state voting guides, plain language definitions of voting words and more. AAPD also has the REV UP Voting Campaign, which aims to build the power of the disability vote through a national network of coalitions and organizations.
  
• The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has “Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S.” that includes how to prepare to vote and how to get accommodations when voting. It also explains the difference between a primary election and a general election and how the Electoral College works.
  
• Easterseals has a Voting Checklist for People with Disabilities to help people with disabilities make sure their voice is heard at the polls. The checklist explains how to learn about elections in your area, your rights as a voter with a disability,  what to do if your rights are being violated and more. You can also download a voting resource card to take with you to the polls.
  
• Disability Vote IL provides voting resources and information for the disability community. The site offers updated nonpartisan videos, webinars and information on elections, how to register to vote, and promoting accessibility of voting technology and polling places. The website also includes information about transportation to the polls and the Be My Eyes app that helps people who are blind or have vision impairments with voting.
  
• The National Association of the Deaf has a voter information hotline to help individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing with questions about voting.
  
• The National Federation of the Blind has guides for voters who are blind and information about accessibility and the Help America Vote Act.

You can also find these tools and guides in our online Resource Directory.

Everyone’s voice matters, and there are ways to make sure your vote counts!

A federal program that provides free at-home COVID-19 tests, including tests with enhanced accessibility, has resumed.

Another round of free at-home COVID-19 tests is now available.

Starting in late September 2024, every U.S. household can order four free COVID-19 rapid tests.

Visit https://special.usps.com/testkits to place an order. (The website is available in Spanish and Chinese.) Here’s what you need to know:

• Each order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
• Orders will ship free starting Sept. 30, 2024.

If you need help placing an order, you can call (800) 232-0233 or (888) 720-7489 (TTY).

More accessible tests are also available for individuals who are blind or have low vision as well as people who have low manual dexterity. These tests are available while supplies last.

You can visit https://special.usps.com/testkits/accessible to order the accessible tests. Here is what you need to know:

• Each order includes one carton of four rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
• Supplies are limited. Please do not order the accessible tests if you have options for using the standard tests.
• Orders will ship free starting the week of Sept. 30, 2024.

Visit the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Accessible Tests page fore more details about the features that make these tests more accessible.

Individuals with disabilities can also contact the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) for help with available testing options, including ordering free at-home test kits.

Contact DIAL Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through:

• Call, text or videophone at (888) 677-1199
• Email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org
• Start an online chat with an information specialist
• Connect to an agent in American Sign Language

For more information about COVID-19 test options, visit www.covidtests.gov/.

To learn more about how to access low- or no-cost COVID-19 tests from the federal government, you can contact any of these programs:

• A Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) health center
• A Test to Treat site
• An Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) location near you

Still have old COVID-19 tests at home? You can check the FDA’s website to see if your COVID-19 tests have extended expiration dates.

HFS invites families to participate in listening sessions to share feedback on HealthChoice Illinois managed care

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) wants to hear about your experience with HealthChoice Illinois managed care.

The agency is holding in-person and virtual listening sessions to gather feedback from HealthChoice Illinois customers, providers, advocates and other stakeholders.

You can share your experiences, suggest improvements and also provide written feedback through an online form.

Most Medicaid customers are part of HealthChoice Illinois. You’re a HealthChoice Illinois customer if you selected a managed care organization after you joined Medicaid.

HFS wants to know:

• What works well for you with HealthChoice Illinois?
• Where do you see opportunities to improve?
• How else can HFS and HealthChoice Illinois meet your needs?

There are several ways you can share your input:

In-Person Listening Sessions

• Chicago
  • Date and time: Thursday, Sept. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Location: College of Pharmacy, 833 S. Wood St. in Chicago, Room 134-3
  • Link to register for Chicago session
    
• Springfield
  • Date and time: Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Location: John Block Building Auditorium, Illinois Department of Agriculture, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., on the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Gate 11
  • Link to register for Springfield session

Virtual Listening Sessions

HFS will also take comments during its virtual Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) and Subcommittee meetings on:

• Sept. 24
• Oct. 3
• Nov. 1

Visit the HFS website for details and registration information.

Written Feedback

If you’re unable to attend a listening session, the HFS website also has an online form to provide written feedback.

HFS will accept feedback through Nov. 15, 2024.

Why Your Feedback is Important

HFS is preparing to procure new HealthChoice Illinois managed care contracts. Your input will help HFS better serve enrollees by improving access and quality within the Illinois Medicaid program.

If you are a Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant, the listening sessions are also a good opportunity to share your families’ experience working with DSCC.

We partner with HealthChoice Illinois managed care organizations through contracts to provide care coordination services for their members.

More details about the procurement process are on the HFS website.

Families have through Sept. 28, 2024, to share input on waiver amendments allowing CNAs to become paid family caregivers and nursing rate increases.

Families have an opportunity to share feedback on several significant updates to the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver).

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is the Medicaid agency responsible for the MFTD waiver. Many families in the Home Care Program have children who receive services through this waiver.

HFS is currently seeking approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for waiver amendments that will:

• Allow parents who are certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to be paid family caregivers
• Increase rates for in-home nurses and CNA services

Read below for more details about these amendments and how to share your input.

CNAs as Paid Family Caregivers

Plans are underway to allow parents/legally responsible adults (LRAs) to become paid caregivers if they are a CNA and employed through a nursing agency.

Currently, parents/LRAs are paid for providing skilled nursing services to their children if they hold an active registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) license. This rule applies to parents/LRAs of all children approved for Home Care services, regardless of the child’s age. (Read more about our efforts to make paid licensed family caregivers a permanent benefit.)

Allowing parents and caregivers who are CNAs to become paid caregivers is an important step in strengthening our support for families of individuals who need in-home shift nursing.

This update would give more parents/LRAs the opportunity to earn payment for the caregiving they provide their children at home.

This change requires an amendment to the MFTD waiver as well as the creation of a new state plan amendment.

Nursing Rate Increase

HFS is also proposing a 7 percent rate increase for in-home nurses and CNA services to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

This rate increase would affect:

• RN, LPN and CNA care
• In-home and facility-based respite care
• Nurse training rates

The proposed rates are as follows:

• RN, $57.78 per hour
• LPN, $48.15 per hour
• CNA, $32.10 per hour

We hope this rate increase can help make more high-quality nursing options available for our participant families.

Transitional Care Services provided outside the home (not an MFTD waiver service) is expected to have a rate increase from $950 to $1,300 a day. This increase would also take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

Other Key Updates in the Amendment Include:

• Adds adaptive equipment and assistive technology as new services.
• Makes pest control a post-approval process. This change means families will not need to receive prior approval for pest control services.
• Makes the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) the entity responsible for the prior approval for home accessibility modifications, vehicle modifications, medical equipment operating expenses, adaptive equipment, placement maintenance counseling and assistive technology.
• Removes the requirement of two bids if the cost exceeds $2,000 for waiver services. This change is necessary to help increase access to services.

Share Your Feedback

The public comment period for these proposed waiver amendments is now open.

To review the full list of proposed waiver updates, you can:

• Read the public comment notice on HFS’s website.

• Review a hard copy at HFS’ offices at:
  
  • 201 South Grand Ave. E.,
    Springfield, IL 62763
    
  • 401 S. Clinton
    Chicago, IL 60607

The deadline to provide feedback is Sept 28, 2024.

You can share your feedback in two ways:

• Via email to HFS.HCBSWaiver@illinois.gov
• Via mail to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Attention: Waiver Operations Management, 201 South Grand Ave. E., 2FL, Springfield, IL 62763

This public comment process is one of the best ways you can have your voice heard.

HFS will send your comments to the federal CMS as part of the waiver approval process.

If you have questions, please contact HFS’s Waiver Operations Management Unit at (217) 524-4148 or (844) 528-8444.