Zika is spread by mosquitos and can lead to birth defects.

Zika virus spreads to people when bitten by an infected mosquito.

Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Symptoms may be mild and can last for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Because symptoms are not usually severe, many people do not seek medical attention and may not even realize they’ve been infected.

During pregnancy, Zika can cause a birth defect called microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition where a baby’s head is much smaller because the brain did not develop properly or stopped growing during pregnancy. This condition can cause seizures, developmental delays, intellectual disability, problems with movement and balance, hearing loss, and vision problems.

There is not currently a vaccine to protect against Zika. The best protection is through prevention of mosquito bites:

• wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside
• use a mosquito bed net if air conditioning and screens are not possible
• control mosquito population inside and outside your home [CDC mosquito control recommendations]
• treat clothing and gear with mosquito repellant or buy pre-treated items
• use mosquito netting for carriers, strollers, and cribs to protect babies under 2 months old
• prevent sexual transmission of the virus

For more information, visit the source of this article at CDC.gov/zika.

You can also find information for more specific groups such as pregnant women, travelers, and couples thinking of becoming pregnant [CDC Information for Specific Groups].

“It’s a wonderful place of serenity and refuge.”

Outside the Naperville location of Almost Home Kids, a garden has been created for children, siblings, parents, guests, and volunteers. Visitors enjoy the soothing water fountain, figures of kites, flowers, and deer and find peace in nature surrounded by plants, flowers and trees. Read the full article at the Almost Home Kids Blog.

Almost Home Kids provides transitional care and respite in a home-like setting to children with complicated health needs. Their training prepares families to care for their children at home.

Almost Home Kids is a short-term community based pediatric healthcare facility that brings together Medical Professionals, Recreational Volunteers, Community Providers, Sponsors, Donors, Friends, Corporate and Civic Partners. Almost Home Kids is licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Alternative Healthcare Delivery Act and has a site in Naperville and in Chicago.

For more information, visit www.almosthomekids.org or call (630) 271-9155.

On “Play Day” Holiday World opens its doors just for children with special needs

One day each year, Holiday World & Splashing Safari park provides Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center of Indiana with a limited amount of tickets so children with special needs can enjoy the park with limited attendance. All of the proceeds from those entry ticket sales go towards therapy for children and adults here at the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center!

Due to the demand of this day, and limited amount of tickets, the day is restricted to school aged children up through high school. That also includes homeschooled children.

Check out the last event held on May 11, 2016 on Holiday World’s Blog.

If you’re interested in attending, have your school administrator contact Kandace Encarnacion at (812) 437-2609.

Hope Institute is evaluating interest in a housing supports training session.

If you have a teen or young adult thinking about housing options, you may be interested in attending a training session. The Hope Institute is evaluating community interest in a session about microboards, human service cooperatives, and the state’s system of housing supports. If there is enough interest, a training session will be scheduled in Springfield on Saturday, May 21, 2016.

If you’re interested in attending, email Ange Buscher at abuscher@thehopeinstitute.us.

Hope Institute is evaluating interest in a housing supports training session.

If you have a teen or young adult thinking about housing options, you may be interested in attending a training session. The Hope Institute is evaluating community interest in a session about microboards, human service cooperatives, and the state’s system of housing supports.

If there is enough interest, a training session will be scheduled in Springfield on Saturday, May 21st from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

If you’re interested in attending, email Ange Buscher at abuscher@thehopeinstitute.us.

Get the latest news from healthcare professionals at Memorial Medical Center.

The Spring edition of Parent University features

• 3 tips to reduce your child’s stress and anxiety – talk to them, help them clear their mind, get them involved in an activity
• Read to a dog – build children’s confidence as they read to certified therapy dogs
• Accidental poisoning – dangers of medications, coins, batteries, chemicals, etc. and what to do if you suspect poisoning
• List of local agencies servings moms and their children with phone numbers of websites

Visit the newsletter archive at Memorial Medical Center’s website to read this and previous editions of Parent University. You can also subscribe to receive this quarterly publication directly to your inbox.

 

Proposed tax credit helps caregivers receive up to $3,000 in annual tax savings.

On March 3rd, the Credit for Caring Act of 2016 was introduced in the US House of Representatives. The bill would allow workers who earn at least $7,500 annually and are caregiver to a person with a disability to claim a tax credit. The credit is designed to offset out-of-pocket expenses such transportation, home modification, and assistive technology.

For more information, read the Disability Scoop article Tax Credit Proposed for Disability Caregivers.

Special needs screenings of family-friendly movies

These are family-friendly movies for children with special needs and their siblings. Lights are turned up and volume is lowered to create a more sensory friendly experience. Children are welcome to move around and talk, even dance in the aisles.  Studio Movie Grill is located in Wheaton and coming soon to Chicago.

For more information about movies and show times, visit the Studio Movie Grill website special needs screening page.

A step-by-step approach to identifying communication options available.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a number of resources for parents and professionals to improve care for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH).  Among the resources available is a Decision Guide to Communication Choices which leads parents through the difficult process of identifying the communication choice, or choices, that might be best for their child and family.

This resource takes parents through a step-by-step approach to identifying the various communication options available, and ensuring they not only have the necessary information about each option, but also the support they need to make an appropriate decision.  This resource can also be available for pediatric clinicians to use in their practice to ensure that parents of children who are D/HH have tools necessary to assist them in making an informed decision.

Tools for comparing and selecting health insurance plans.

The Health Insurance Marketplace helps uninsured people enroll in coverage.  Information about available plans — including cost estimates and which physicians, medications, and hospitals each plan covers — can be found on the Marketplace website.

The open enrollment period for 2016 health insurance coverage through the Marketplace begins on November 1, 2015 and runs through January 31, 2016.  During open enrollment, you can re-enroll in your current health plan or select a new health plan.

Another resource offering assistance is the Enroll America website.  You can schedule appointments online for in-person assistance, get monthly premium cost estimates, obtain a personalized estimate of health care costs for the year, and sign up for reminders via text and e-mail.