Update on DSCC’s New Claims Processing System
Find out what our participant families can expect as we continue to roll out CarePay, our new claims processing system
We want to share our progress as we implement a new claims system and explain what this change means for you.
In May, the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) launched our new claims processing system called CarePay. We developed CarePay to offer faster and more efficient claims processing.
We are continuing to work through the initial rollout and its related issues. Here is what our participant families can expect and need to know:
For Core Program Families
As we move to CarePay, you may experience some temporary delays with our claims processing. It could take up to 30 days for us to pay a claim.
If you or your child’s provider has been waiting for a claim payment for longer than 30 days, please contact us. We can verify that we have properly received your claim submission and investigate any issues.
If you have experienced a significant delay with a claims payment, please bring it to the attention of your care coordination team so we can help you.
For Home Care Program Families
- We are continuing to issue payments to nursing agencies at the updated 2025 rates. The rate increase received the necessary federal approvals in April, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2025.
- We continue to work with our claims system developers on a plan for issuing “top-off” payments for adjusted claims we received between January and when CarePay went live.
- It is important for your nursing agency to double-check the accuracy of the claims it submits for reimbursement as we process these payments.
We understand that timely claims processing is important to you and your providers. We’re committed to resolving any issues as quickly as possible and ensuring you receive the support you need.
Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work through this transition.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (800) 322-3722.
Seeking Teens and Young Adults for Our Youth Advisory Council
The council is a great opportunity to share your voice and help improve transition support for youth across Illinois.
Calling all teens and young adults with special healthcare needs in Illinois!
Would you like to make a difference? Your voice can help shape programs and services for youth like you across the state.
We are looking for new members to join our Youth Advisory Council (YAC).
The YAC is an opportunity to share your feedback and help improve planning for the transition to adulthood. You can also strengthen your leadership skills and connect with other youth.
As a YAC member, you can:
- Learn about and help improve how the transition to adulthood works for Illinois youth with special healthcare needs
- Help us gain a better understanding of your and your peers’ transition needs
- Give a voice to what matters most to you
- Gain valuable leadership and advocacy experience
- Expand your network
The council is open to all Illinois youth ages 15 to 24 with special healthcare needs.
You do not need to be a Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant to join.
How to Join and Learn More
Members must complete an online application to join. (The application is also available in Spanish.)
Visit our Youth Advisory Council page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
You can also see the YAC flyer for more details:
If you have questions, please contact Claire Cook, DSCC’s Title V Program Transition Specialist, at clairer3@uic.edu or (800) 322-3722, ext. 21812.
Your perspective matters!
Free Virtual Training Program on Caring for Children With Complex Medical Needs at Home
DSCC is proud to sponsor the expanded eHomeCare program to help families and home nurses improve their care knowledge and refresh their skills
We are excited to help expand a free online training program on how to care for children with complex medical needs at home.
Research shows that the number of children in need of medically complex care at home is steadily growing. With this growth, there is an urgent need for current and accessible educational resources to ensure the quality and safety of care for these children.
We’ve also heard from families and home nurses that they need a way to expand their knowledge about care in the home and refresh their skills.
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is proud to sponsor the expanded eHomeCare program to help meet this need and equip caregivers with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality care.
The eHomeCare program provides comprehensive, evidence-based information on the care of children with complex medical needs at home. The training is for:
- Family members and caregivers of children with complex medical needs
- Nurses working in home-based environments
- Physicians
- Respiratory therapists
- Students from health professions
- Anyone interested in learning more about caring for children with complex medical needs.
The eHomeCare program consists of eight on-demand courses to enhance the knowledge, skills and confidence of home care providers in the following areas:
- Caring for children with a tracheostomy with or without a ventilator
- Central line care
- Dialysis in home
- Infection control
- Setting boundaries in the home
- Skin care
- Range of motion
- Daily care activities for children
The courses aim to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance caregivers’ confidence and competence in managing both routine and emergency situations.
Please note that the completion of these training courses alone is not enough to demonstrate proficiency in skills that require specialized care (such as caring for a trach, ventilator or central line). If you are interested in becoming trained to provide these cares, please talk to your child’s medical team or home nursing agency.
Parents, extended family members, caregivers and others can use these modules to learn and refresh different skills for caring for their medically complex child in the home setting.
To learn more about the courses and enroll, visit the eHomeCare Online Training Program website.
After participating in the eHomeCare courses, individuals will be able to:
- Describe best practices for providing care and managing common issues for children requiring complex medical care at home.
- Recognize signs and symptoms of complications and determine appropriate responses when caring for children requiring complex medical care at home.
- Demonstrate enhanced confidence and competence in providing care for children requiring complex medical care at home.
- Collaborate effectively with healthcare team members to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for children requiring complex medical care at home.
Free continuing education credits are available.
If you have trouble enrolling in the course or need help, please email help@icep.wisc.edu.
The eHomeCare Program originally started as one course focused on trach and vent care through a partnership of several Wisconsin-based nursing schools and hospitals.
DSCC provided funding and collaboration to expand the eHomeCare training program in response to family feedback on the need for more education and training on caring for children with complex medical needs at home.
We partnered with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to fund the project.
DSCC team members worked with eHomeCare developer Dr. Kim Whitmore and her team at Ujima United to add more courses to the training in collaboration with the Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
We hope the expanded eHomeCare training modules will be a valuable resource for families, caregivers and everyone involved in their children’s complex care at home.
New Approval Process for Respite Nursing Services
New approval process for respite care for individuals enrolled in the MFTD waiver begins on Sept. 1
Families enrolled in the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver) will see a new approval process for respite nursing services.
This change will help make respite nursing services more respectful of your wishes.
Starting Sept. 1, 2025, nursing agencies must get your permission and official approval from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) before providing respite care to your child. This means a nursing agency or respite facility cannot use your respite hours unless you ask for them and agree to the plan.
Why This Change Is Important
We are making this change because families shared concerns that agencies and/or facilities used their respite care hours without their knowledge or permission. We want to make sure:
- You are always in control of when and how your family uses respite care.
- Respite services follow Medicaid and MFTD waiver rules.
- You know exactly how many respite hours are used and when.
What You Need to Know
- Each year, families in the MFTD waiver get 336 hours of respite care.
- Respite care is only available if the legally responsible adult (LRA) asks for it.
- Nursing agencies cannot use respite hours without your clear permission.
- If you request respite, the agency must fill out a form and get approval from DSCC before care begins.
- Respite hours don’t roll over to the next year and can’t be used as overtime.
If you think your child needs respite care, talk to your nursing agency about how many hours you want and when you need them. Please give them as much notice as possible (at least two business days before you need the care).
Your nursing agency will then contact DSCC to submit your request.
If something comes up at the end of the month and you need extra help, please talk with your nursing agency. They can work with you to request respite.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your DSCC Care Coordinator. They are here to support you through this process.
Thank you for your cooperation and partnership!
Celebrating 80 Years of the Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Nearly 20 Illinois families gained valuable knowledge, support and connection for raising a child with hearing loss during the annual Institute in June
June 10-14, 2025, marked 80 years of the Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
This free, annual program is for parents and caregivers of children ages 6 and under who have an identified hearing loss. It helps families learn, connect, and find support all in one place.
Since 1945, the Institute has welcomed families at the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) campus in Jacksonville. This year, 18 families from across the state found community and connection at this five-day program.
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) helps support the Institute, along with other sponsors.
Support for the Whole Family

The Institute is more than a learning program for parents. It’s a family-friendly event where everyone can join in.
“It really is a valuable experience for everyone who comes,” said Angela Kuhn, director of the Institute and an administrator at ISD. “It’s an event that is inclusive of everyone in your family.”
Parents Rogelio and Lizeth came to the Institute with their 10-year-old son, Roger, and their 2-year-old daughter, Aliah. Aliah was born with Microtia, a condition that affects the shape of the ear and causes hearing loss.
Their family came to the Institute to learn how to best support her development.
“We have learned a lot, how to help my daughter and how to make us stronger, how to defend her, how to prepare her for the future,” shared Lizeth.
“My son Roger has been learning how to help his sister,” added Rogelio.
While Aliah was busy playing with her peers and receiving evaluations from professionals, Rogelio and Lizeth spent their time in workshops and lectures for parents. Roger joined the sibling program, where he took American Sign Language (ASL) lessons and made friends with other siblings of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
By the end of the week, Roger had formed a close bond with other siblings in the program, including Michael (7), Neela (11), and Jezreel (12).
“I wasn’t expecting that…”

Michael came to the Institute with his mom, Brittany, and his younger siblings—Dominic (age 1) and Gianna (age 5). Gianna is profoundly deaf and has CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects multiple parts of the body.
At first, Michael wasn’t sure what to expect. “I expected that it wouldn’t really be that fun, I wouldn’t meet any kids to play with,” he said. “But I guess I did—and it was really fun.”
Michael and his new friends spent almost every moment together.
“He’s just like, ‘Hi, Mom. Bye, Mom.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, okay, bye,” Brittany said with a smile.
“I wasn’t expecting that part to be so neat,” she said. “To see them as strangers on Tuesday and then to watch them eating lunch together, being inseparable, that was really cool.”
Extraordinary Connections

Institute and ISD preschool teacher Natalie Garver explained how attendees transform from strangers at the start to a close-knit family by the end.
“It’s so cool how we show up day one and everyone’s kind of looking around like, ‘Was this a good idea? This seems kind of awkward.’ By the last day of Parent Institute, it’s like, ‘Bye, we’re going to miss you. Like, let’s keep in touch, find me on Facebook,’” she described.
“When you share this kind of experience with other people, the connection you can make with families is just extraordinary in such a short amount of time.”
Natalie has taught children who are deaf or hard of hearing for 17 years. She has worked at the Institute for several of those years. Natalie is one of many returning team members who make the experience feel like home for families.
“The staff here does a really good job of making it almost a family setting and culture,” said Institute parent Brent.
Brent and his wife Rebecca are the proud parents of Cash, age 5. They live in Jacksonville where Cash, who uses cochlear implants, is a student at ISD.
“It’s our job as parents to stay informed and stay involved and keep learning,” Rebecca said. “The Parent Institute is perfect for that.”
“There’s a community for us and they’re closer than we think.”

While Cash and his family are locals, many families travel from all over Illinois to attend the Institute.
Cindi and her 2-year-old daughter, Luna, made the trip from the north side of Chicago. Luna is the first person in her family to be diagnosed with hearing loss.
“This is all brand new. I felt lost, like nobody around the neighborhood that I know of had children with hearing loss,” said Cindi.
“Coming here, I’ve connected with so many parents. I actually found a neighbor, not literally a neighbor, but she’s so close by that we take our kids to the same playground, and we never even noticed. So, it’s been great. There’s a community for us and they’re closer than we think.”
DSCC Family Liaison Violet Wiker, who helps families enroll in the Institute, emphasized the value of these new friendships and their lasting impact.
“I think it’s very wonderful when you walk around the cafeteria and you can hear the kids scream across the line asking mom if they can sit with their new friend…” Violet said.
“And then you see mom and dad making another friend at the lunch table, and they’re sharing experiences and they’re not even in the same location, but they found a friend that maybe they can take home with them and connect with later to say, ‘Hey, I’m feeling this sort of way,’ or’ Hey, do you have a suggestion here?’ And we built that network now.”
Looking Ahead

The 80th year of the institute was full of learning, laughter, and new friendships. Families left with more knowledge, stronger support systems, and lasting memories.
Tori Lynch, an Institute cadet, looks forward to the Institute’s bright future. “I have no doubt it’ll go on 80 more years.”
Find more memories from the 2025 Institute on our Facebook page in our 2025 recap album. You can also see videos that highlight different parts of the Institute experience on our YouTube playlist.
The following organizations supported the 2025 Institute:
- University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC)
- Department of Human Services – Division of Rehabilitation Services
- Illinois School for the Deaf
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
For more information about the Institute and how DSCC supports children with hearing loss, call (800) 322-3722 or email dsccinstitute@uic.edu.
Inclusive Camps for All Ages Offer Fun, Friendships and New Adventures!
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!
Free Family Webinar Series Focuses on Medicaid Waivers
Learn more about the MFTD, DRS and DDD Medicaid waivers and how they can help your family
Our annual Health Insurance Education Series returns in March to help families understand important health insurance topics.
In response to family feedback, our 2025 series will explain Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Programs for Illinois.
The webinars are open to Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participants, their family members and anyone interested in these topics.
These free virtual trainings will feature DSCC team members and other presenters covering a different waiver each month:
- Medically Fragile and Technology Dependent (MFTD) Medicaid Waiver, March 11 at 6 p.m.
- The March presentation will focus on the Medically Fragile and Technology Dependent Waiver for children and adults. Presenters from DSCC will explain how to apply, who is eligible, what benefits are available, and how to use the benefits.
- See the MFTD Medicaid Waiver flyer
- Register on Zoom for MFTD Medicaid Waiver
- The March presentation will focus on the Medically Fragile and Technology Dependent Waiver for children and adults. Presenters from DSCC will explain how to apply, who is eligible, what benefits are available, and how to use the benefits.
- Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Medicaid Waivers, April 8 at 6 p.m.
- The April presentation will focus on the different waivers available for children and young adults through the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). Presenters from DRS will explain how to apply, who is eligible, what benefits are available, and how to use the benefits.
- See the DRS Medicaid Waivers flyer
- Register on Zoom for DRS Medicaid Waivers
- The April presentation will focus on the different waivers available for children and young adults through the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). Presenters from DRS will explain how to apply, who is eligible, what benefits are available, and how to use the benefits.
- Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Medicaid Waivers, May 13 at 6 p.m.
- The May presentation will focus on the different waivers for children and young adults available through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Presenters from DDD will explain how to apply, who is eligible, what benefits are available, and how to use the benefits.
- See the DDD Medicaid Waivers flyer
- Register on Zoom for DDD Medicaid Waivers
- The May presentation will focus on the different waivers for children and young adults available through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Presenters from DDD will explain how to apply, who is eligible, what benefits are available, and how to use the benefits.
- La Excepción de Medicaid para personas médicamente frágiles y dependientes de la tecnología (MFTD), 11 de marzo, a las 6 p.m.
- La presentación de marzo se centrará en la excepción para personas médicamente frágiles y dependientes de la tecnología para niños y adultos. Los presentadores de la División de Atención Especializada para Niños (DSCC) le explicarán cómo presentar la solicitud, quién es elegible, qué beneficios están disponibles y cómo utilizarlos.
- Consulte el folleto de Beneficios de MFTD para obtener más detalles.
- Registrarse para MFTD en Zoom.
- La presentación de marzo se centrará en la excepción para personas médicamente frágiles y dependientes de la tecnología para niños y adultos. Los presentadores de la División de Atención Especializada para Niños (DSCC) le explicarán cómo presentar la solicitud, quién es elegible, qué beneficios están disponibles y cómo utilizarlos.
- Excepciones de Medicaid de la División de Servicios de Rehabilitación (DRS), 8 de abril a las 6 p.m.
- La presentación de abril se centrará en las diferentes excepciones disponibles para niños y adultos jóvenes a través de la División de Servicios de Rehabilitación (DRS). Los presentadores de DRS explicarán cómo presentar la solicitud, quién es elegible, qué beneficios están disponibles y cómo utilizarlos.
- Consulte el folleto de Excepciones de Medicaid de la DRS para obtener más detalles.
- Registrarse para Excepciones de Medicaid de la DRS en Zoom.
- La presentación de abril se centrará en las diferentes excepciones disponibles para niños y adultos jóvenes a través de la División de Servicios de Rehabilitación (DRS). Los presentadores de DRS explicarán cómo presentar la solicitud, quién es elegible, qué beneficios están disponibles y cómo utilizarlos.
- Excepciones de Medicaid de la División de Discapacidades del Desarrollo (DDD), 13 de mayo a las 6 p.m.
- La presentación de mayo se centrará en las diferentes excepciones para niños y adultos jóvenes disponibles a través de la División de Discapacidades del Desarrollo (DDD). Los presentadores de DDD explicarán cómo presentar la solicitud, quién es elegible, qué beneficios están disponibles y cómo utilizarlos.
- Consulte el folleto de Excepciones de Medicaid de la DDD para obtener más detalles.
- Registrarse para Excepciones de Medicaid de la DDD en Zoom.
- La presentación de mayo se centrará en las diferentes excepciones para niños y adultos jóvenes disponibles a través de la División de Discapacidades del Desarrollo (DDD). Los presentadores de DDD explicarán cómo presentar la solicitud, quién es elegible, qué beneficios están disponibles y cómo utilizarlos.
You can also:
- Download a flyer with all Health Insurance Education Series topics and registration links. (The flyer is also available in Spanish.)
- See details about each series session on our Events page.
- Watch the session recordings and access related materials anytime on our Family Education Webinars page.
Our Health Insurance Education Series began in response to questions and suggestions from our Family Advisory Council.
If you have questions about these webinars before or after a session, please email dscc@uic.edu or call (800) 322-3722.
DSCC Families, We Want Your Feedback!
Our annual family survey is an easy way to share your input and help improve our services.
Attention participant families, be sure to watch your mail or email!
On Feb. 10, all Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participants will receive our annual family survey.
This survey asks how well our team members support your family and meet your needs. It also asks about:
- Your contact preferences
- How and when you’d like to meet with our team
- How well our staff communicates with you
You will receive this survey by email or mail, based on your preferences. If you respond, you could win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards.*
Your responses will help us strengthen your services. They also guide updates to our DSCC policies and procedures that affect your family.
Our surveys are optional, but we strongly encourage you to share your experiences. We want to ensure we’re doing all we can to help you meet your family’s needs and achieve your goals.
* Please note: Foreign national nonresident aliens are not eligible for the gift card participation prize.
How Your Feedback Makes a Difference
Your ideas and feedback help improve our services to families like yours. We used family input from last year’s survey to:
- Train our care coordination teams to better understand the family perspective and tailor services to your unique needs and wants.
- Educate families about the benefits of our DSCC Family Portal to easily communicate and share information with your care coordination team.
- Launch NurseNet, a new online tool to help families connect with available in-home nurses.
- Offer free webinars on important health insurance topics affecting families.
- Improve our language access to better support our families’ diverse backgrounds.
- Reorganize our Chicago offices to better serve the Chicago community.
Please be on the lookout for our annual survey on Feb. 10.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact your Care Coordinator.
We appreciate your partnership and look forward to hearing from you!
Mokena Care Coordinator Earns DSCC’s Award of Merit
DSCC honors Meeka Hudson for her dedication to supporting Illinois children and youth with special healthcare needs and their families
Care Coordinator Meeka Hudson is the 2024 recipient of the University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) Award of Merit.
The award recognizes exceptional employees for outstanding dedication and service to Illinois children with special healthcare needs and their families.
Meeka is a Care Coordinator in the Mokena Regional Office. She joined the Core Program team in 2018 and has played an invaluable role in empowering families ever since.
“Meeka is an exceptional Care Coordinator with a passion for helping her participant families navigate difficult situations and finding ways to reduce stress in their lives,” DSCC Executive Director Thomas F. Jerkovitz said.
“Her teammates praise her dedication, knowledge of resources and willingness to help. Meeka has also been instrumental in developing valuable education and networking opportunities for families based at the Mokena office.”
Meeka’s colleagues in the Mokena office nominated her for the award, noting her positive influence, expertise, compassion and creativity.
“Meeka’s dedication to her role is evident in everything she does,” Mokena Assistant Regional Manager Tami L. Peleckis said. “She is always ready to lend a hand, provide guidance, and share her expertise with her colleagues. Her positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile make her an indispensable asset to our team.”
Program Coordinator Assistant Leslie Leske-Ely praised Meeka’s ability to break down information into manageable steps and empower families to take charge of their situations.

“She provides positive and innovating contributions to our office. Her ideas help in improving our office morale and family engagement,” Bilingual Care Coordinator Ana Lule said. “Meeka consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that families receive the support and resources they need. She approaches every case with empathy and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.”
Mokena Regional Manager Deanna Deleshe has worked with Meeka since she started at DSCC. When Meeka’s participant families wanted a space to network with other families in their same situation, Meeka saw a need and shared an idea with Deanna.
“Meeka was the inspiration behind our pilot of the Mokena Family Networking and Education Group called the Mokena Connection,” Deanna said. “Meeka also, along with other team members, was the inspiration behind all of our in-person office events (for participant families). We do our Winter Wonderland, our Spring Fling, our Summer Extravaganza and our Trunk or Treat.”
Meeka said she is “deeply honored and incredibly grateful to receive the 2024 Award of Merit.”
“This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the support, encouragement and inspiration I’ve received from the Mokena Regional Office Team,” Meeka continued. “I am truly fortunate to work alongside such talented, dedicated individuals.”
Meeka thanked DSCC’s leadership and added a special thank you to her managers Deanna and Tami, whose belief in her has made all the difference.
“This award is a testament to the teamwork, hard work, and passion that we put into everything we do,” she said.
Learn more about Meeka and her exceptional service to families in this video below:
DSCC staff nominated a total of 13 of their colleagues for this year’s Merit Award. As the winner, Meeka will receive a Merit Award memento, a $2,500 award and recognition from the Executive Director.
Congratulations to the rest of our 2024 DSCC Award of Merit Nominees:
- Daniel “Dan” Beagles, Training and Development Specialist, Mokena Regional Office (RO)
- Becky Helmink, Program Coordinator Assistant, Olney RO
- Andrea Hoskinson, Assistant Director Operations-Finance, Accounting and Procurement, Central Administrative Office (CAO)
- Amanda Kaufman, Care Coordinator, Home Care (HC) Region 3
- Cristina Lazala, Bilingual Program Coordinator Assistant, HC Region 2
- Cathleen “Cathy” Morrissey, Program Coordinator Assistant, Mokena RO
- Patricia Perez, Assistant Director of Operations-Research and Practice Initiatives, Chicago RO
- Yariela “Yari” Ramirez Beccue, Program Services Specialist, CAO
- Mary Ratermann, HC enrollment Specialist, St. Clair RO
- Adell Scott, Manager of HC Quality Improvement, St. Clair RO
- Paige Town, Assistant Regional Manager, Rockford RO
- Imani Wornum, Care Coordinator, HC Region 5
Learn more about all of the 2024 nominees in this recap video of the Award of Merit luncheon on Oct. 29 in Springfield:
NurseNet Simplifies the Search for In-Home Nursing
Home Care Program parent praises NurseNet as an easy way to find available nurses in your area
The search for in-home nurses can be exhausting for many families of loved ones with complex medical needs.
Home Care Program parent Shekia Wright understands this challenge.
She recently tried NurseNet to find available nurses for her 1-year-old son, Kaharri Pittman (pictured above). He has a tracheostomy and relies on a ventilator to breathe.
Shekia set up a NurseNet account and entered Kaharri’s nursing needs.
She quickly found two available matches from two different nursing agencies. Overall, she was impressed with how easy NurseNet is to use.
“It was easy to set up the account and easy to find available nurses,” Shekia said. “I would recommend NurseNet to any families looking for nursing.”
NurseNet is a new tool that makes it easier for families to find the in-home nursing care their child needs. We created NurseNet to be an online resource that connects families with available in-home nursing providers throughout Illinois.
Families can use NurseNet to share their nursing needs. Nursing agencies that are enrolled with the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) can see this information and contact families if they have available nurses who match the child’s care needs.
Nursing agencies can also use NurseNet to share information about where nurses are available.
This information can help families find suitable nursing care. It can also help nursing agencies identify opportunities to serve families.
How NurseNet Helps Families
- Easy Access: NurseNet is available 24/7, giving you the flexibility to search for nursing providers at your convenience.
- Comprehensive Listings: The tool includes a wide range of in-home nursing providers across the state, ensuring you have multiple options to choose from.
- Direct Connection: You can contact nursing providers directly through NurseNet, making the process of securing care for your child quicker and more straightforward.
How to Get Started
We encourage you to visit our NurseNet page and explore this new tool. There you’ll find guides and how-to videos to help you get started.
If you have problems accessing NurseNet, please send an email to dsccexternalhelp@uic.edu.
You can also talk to your DSCC Care Coordinator to help you get started. Your Care Coordinator can assist with the sign-up process during your next home visit.
We understand how important it is to have reliable, skilled nursing care for your child. We believe NurseNet will significantly improve your ability to find the support you need!

