Summer Food Service Program provides healthy meals and snacks to children 18 and under  

Many Illinois families depend on their children’s schools to provide regular, nutritious meals throughout the school year. The financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic makes the need for summer nutrition programs even greater.

Kids and teens can eat right this summer with the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides healthy meals and snacks to:

• Children and teens age 18 and younger
• Any person 21 years of age or younger with a mental or physical disability that attends an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) certified school program during the school year

ISBE runs the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

There is no application or registration required to receive a meal. You also do not have to show proof of income.

To find a meal site near you:

• Call (800) 359-2163 (English or Spanish)
• Text “FoodIl” to 877-877
• Visit www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals

Please note that students who receive Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits can also still pick up grab-n-go summer meals.

Three scholarship opportunities available

Are you an Illinois adult living with spina bifida and continuing your education?

The Illinois Spina Bifida Association (ISBA) is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2021-22 school year.

Several scholarships are available and may be used for a range of post-high school adult education, including:

• Two- and four-year college programs
• Graduate school
• Online courses
• Technical or trade schools
• Other continuing education opportunities

The ISBA scholarship application is available at https://i-sba.org/programs#scholar.  

The ISBA’s three scholarship opportunities are:

• The Patrick Juris Scholarship is awarded to a student with spina bifida preparing for a field of service that helps others.
• The Valiant Scholarship is awarded to a student who displays outstanding leadership, goodwill toward those less fortunate and dedication to making a difference.
• The Mary Mayer Scholarship is in memory of a fiercely independent individual with spina bifida.

For more details about these memorial scholarships, see the ISBA scholarship application.

The deadline to submit scholarship applications is July 17.

For more information, contact (773) 444-0305 or info@i-sba.org.

In-person and virtual activities to help youth with and without disabilities stay engaged and learning this summer

Summer is quickly approaching. And though the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, the ease in safety restrictions means more in-person activities will be available for this year’s break from the school year. 

If you’re looking for a way to help your child stay engaged and learning, we’ve compiled a list of both in-person and virtual summer camp activities and enrichment programs for youth of all ages and abilities.  

Our list of inclusive activities includes daily adventures, arts and crafts, sports camps, college preparation opportunities and condition-specific programs. 

Our events calendar shows the activities listed by date. You can also search for programs in your area by clicking on a regional office near you. 

For more virtual learning and educational resources for youth, visit the Childcare, Learning and Education Tools section of our COVID-19 Resource Directory. 

Know of an in-person or virtual summer camp opportunity to add to our list?

Send us the details at dscc@uic.edu. We’ll continue to update our list of camps and activities, so please check back often. 

NOTE: please see our updated post “New Training Resources on Caring for Children With Trachs” for the latest information on free training resources on caring for children with a tracheostomy tube.

A free course is available for how to care for children with a tracheostomy (trach) with/without a ventilator.

The course is available online until Dec. 31, 2021.

eHomeCare is an online training program designed to provide comprehensive information for those caring for children with a trach with/without a ventilator.

This training is for:

• Nurses working in home-based environments
• Physicians
• Respiratory therapists
• Family members and caregivers of children with trachs with/without ventilators
• Anyone interested in learning more about caring for this population

The eHomeCare course includes five modules:

• Pediatric Airway and Tracheostomy
• Oxygenation and Ventilation
• Suctioning and Bronchial Hygiene
• Tracheostomy Care and Tube Changes
• Emergency Preparedness

It will take about four to five hours to complete the course.

Free continuing education credits are available.

Learners can use this course for their initial training, an annual review and/or as an ongoing resource.

Participants must create an account and enroll on the eHomeCare webpage.

If you have questions, please contact whitmore.research@son.wisc.edu.

Programs provide help for persons with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers, low-income families and individuals over 60

Free tax help is available for Illinois residents in need through several programs across the state.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and AARP Tax-Aide programs are offering free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in select locations statewide.

The availability of services will vary by region.

“Taxes are due on April 15 this year. If a qualified taxpayer needs help filling out their return, free assistance is available,” David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue, said in a news release.

“While in-person assistance is more limited due to the COVID pandemic, certified volunteers are still available to help people over the age of 50 years and working-class taxpayers file their state and federal returns accurately and on time while ensuring the health and safety of taxpayers and volunteers.”

*Note the Internal Revenue Service announced it has extended tax deadlines until May 17.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free tax help for individuals who:

• Make $57,000 or less
• Have a disability
• Speak limited English
• Are 60 years of age or older

Taxpayers can search for a free tax assistance provider closest to them by visiting the Illinois Department of Revenue’s website at tax.illinois.gov.

The IRS-sponsored Ladder Up Virtual Tax Assistance Program also provides free basic tax return preparation for low-to-moderate-income and elderly taxpayers.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provides free tax assistance to taxpayers over the age of 50 or who have low-to-moderate income. Availability is determined at the local or community level by appointment only (walk-in service is unavailable this year).

Decisions on whether a site offers an all-virtual, light contact or in-person approach will be based on safety and health data from Johns Hopkins about COVID-19 levels in a community.

The site locator will be regularly updated, and short-notice changes are possible. AARP membership is not required to receive assistance.

See the state’s Free Tax Preparation news release for more information on all available tax help services.

The Consumer Stipend Program provides assistive technology funding for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Most conferences, important meetings and training for people with developmental disabilities and their families have gone virtual.

Grant funding is now available through the Consumer Stipend Program to help these individuals stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Arc of Illinois manages the Consumer Stipend Program through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. The stipend funds help people with developmental disabilities and their family members attend conferences that are directly related to developmental disability issues.

The Consumer Stipend Program will now allow stipends to pay for the assistive technology needed to attend virtual events.

To apply for the Consumer Stipend Program, an applicant must be:

• An Illinois resident
• A person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability
• A family member of a person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability
• A guardian/foster parent of a person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability

Funding is available for a variety of assistive technology, including:

• iPads and other tablets
• Laptops
• Apps for tablets
• Software
• Other assistive technology that will help people stay connected

Available funds will depend on an applicant’s technology needs. Only one application is allowed per individual or family.

More details about the Consumer Stipend Program and the application process are available on The Arc of Illinois website.

You may also call (815) 464-1832 with any questions about the stipend program.

Project to help people with disabilities and their families build a circle of support, connection and safety

The Arc of Illinois and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities have launched a project to help individuals with disabilities and their families/caregivers through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The Illinois Start Raft Project brings together the tools needed to build a circle of support, connection and increased safety for yourself, a family member or someone for whom you advocate.

The project’s presenter and coach is David Wetherow, founder of the Star Raft Project.

The Star Raft method aims to create lifelong support networks that are person-centered, family-friendly and strengthened by relationships in the larger community.

Wetherow is hosting a six-month set of free weekly Zoom meetings in which participants will find:

• Tools, materials and personal coaching for building a circle of companionship, connection and opportunity for yourself, for a family member or for someone you support.
• An enjoyable method for sharing the work that will wake up everyone’s contribution.
• A ‘navigation chart’ and a set of printable cards that can help you use great strategies and host great meetings.
• Free Zoom accounts and coaching so you and your loved ones can stay connected in the time of social isolation and physical distancing.
• Six months of personal coaching and support for you and your circle.

The best way to learn about the Star Raft method and take your first steps will be to attend one of the introductory Zoom webinars.

Two introductory webinars will be held every Monday, one at 10 a.m. and one at 7 p.m., through February. The morning and afternoon webinar are identical, so you can choose the one that fits your schedule.

For more information about the project and to register for an introductory webinar, click on the Illinois Star Raft Project newsletter.

Programs for all ages, abilities and needs

Summer 2020 is anything but typical due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though many summer camps remain closed for in-person activities, some are offering virtual opportunities to keep children and young adults of all abilities engaged and learning. 

Our list of 2020 summer camp opportunities includes daily adventures, arts and crafts, writing workshops, videos and career development camps. You can also visit our events calendar to see the activities listed by date. 

For more learning and educational resources for youth, visit the Childcare, Learning and Education Tools section of our COVID-19 Resource Directory. 

Families can also download our COVID-19 Memory Book for children to complete. The memory book is also available in Spanish.

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides helpful resources and tips for families to have these important conversations.

Racism is harmful to our communities.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) shares the University’s commitment to addressing the injustice of racism and promoting equity and inclusion for all.  

Racism can create toxic stress in children, teens and families that negatively affects their health and development, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

During these stressful and tumultuous times, families may struggle with how to discuss the issues of race and discrimination with their children.

AAP and HealthyChildren.org, the official parenting website of the AAP, provide the following resources and tips to help your family determine what is age and developmentally appropriate for your child:

• American Academy of Pediatrics Condemns Racism, Offers Advice for Families for How to Talk to Their Children
  
• Talking to Children About Racial Bias
  
• Talking to Children About Racism: The Time is Now
  
• Childhood Exposure to Violence
  
• Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events

• How to Help Children Build Resilience in Uncertain Times
  
• Teaching Children Cultural and Racial Pride

• Recommended Reading: Books to Build Character and Teach Your Child Important Values
  
• AAP’s Policy Statement on Racism and Its Impact on Child and Adolescent Health  

The Summer Food Service Program is open to Illinois children ages 18 and under to fill the summer nutritional gap.

Many Illinois families depend on their children’s schools to provide regular, nutritious meals throughout the school year. The financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic makes the need for summer nutrition programs even greater.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides healthy meals and snacks to children and teens ages 18 and younger at hundreds of sites across the state.

To find a meal site near you:

• Text “FoodIL” to 877-877
• Visit SummerMealsIllinois.org
• Call (800) 359-2163

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) runs the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ISBE says it is using waivers from the USDA to allow meals to be served in safe, socially distanced ways, including:

• Curbside pickup
• Home delivery
• Provision of meals for multiple days of the week at one time

Parents and/or guardians will also be able to pick up meals and bring them home to their children.

“COVID-19 has turned many families’ lives upside down. Illinois’ summer meals programs help to ensure that one thing families do not have to worry about is where their children will get their next meal,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala.

To learn more about this year’s program, visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.