DSCC regional offices pitch in to provide gifts and Christmas magic to local families.

At the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC), we all share a common goal to help improve the lives of children with special healthcare needs and their families. This commitment often extends into the greater communities we serve and the organizations we partner with throughout the state.

This holiday season, the staff at several of our regional offices donated their time, resources and creativity to make sure local children in need have Christmas gifts and priceless memories. We’re proud of all of their hard work to be great community partners!

Mokena Regional Office

At our Mokena Regional Office, staff transformed their conference room into the North Pole to host their first “Pictures with Santa” event on Dec. 13.

The man in the red suit stopped by to visit with a small group of our participant families and pose for pictures.

One of the families shared it was the first time their children got to meet Santa. Previous attempts were either too difficult or impossible because their child was frequently in the hospital.

Both families went home with a donated toy and our calendar and coloring books.

Lombard Regional Office

Each year during the holidays, the building that houses our Lombard RO displays Christmas wreaths with tags attached. The tags have wishes on them from a boy or girl in the community whose family needs assistance.

Wishes range from makeup bags and books to items that they truly need, such as diapers and coats.

To help make these wishes come true, the Lombard Social Committee organized a silent auction on Nov. 28. The committee asked staff to donate any unused or gently-used items they had at home.

The auction raised $75, providing enough funds to fulfill the wishes for five children.

Rockford Regional Office

The Winnebago/Boone Foster Care Alliance is a collaboration of agencies that provide services to children in need in the community. Each year, the alliance organizes the “Adopt-An-Angel” project to provide Christmas gifts to local foster children and children involved with welfare services.

Our Rockford RO staff partnered with two of their building neighbors, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Guardianship Advocacy, to purchase gifts for these local “angels” this year.

Participating staff selected a tag for a foster child that included their name, age, gender and three gift ideas based on the child’s interests.

Rockford Regional Manager Shannon Jones said the original goal was to purchase gifts for 15 children. But, thanks to everyone’s generosity, the Rockford RO and their partners were able to provide gifts for 20.

“DSCC and the other state agencies within the RRO’s building have been participating in this program for over 10 years now, and it has been a great opportunity for everyone to come together to give back to the community we serve,” Shannon said.

Olney Regional Office

The Olney RO team recently had a “wrapping party” to benefit a special local family in need.

For the last several years, Olney staff have participated in the Adopt-a-Family program through the Good Samaritan of Richland County.

This year’s adopted family recently moved to the area for a fresh start. The single mom has three children, ages 2 to 12.

The program gave Olney staff a list of the family’s needs with clothing sizes, shoe sizes and so on.

The Olney team split up the shopping duties and brought in all of the purchased gifts for a wrapping party.

The gifts will be delivered to the family this week.

Despite everything on this mom’s plate, she won’t have to worry about giving her children a memorable Christmas morning.

 

Olney Regional Office’s Dalena Ralston honored for outstanding service to children with special healthcare needs.

Dalena Ralston is the 2018 recipient of the Award of Merit from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). The award recognizes exceptional employees for outstanding dedication and service to children with special healthcare needs.

DSCC is a statewide program that partners with Illinois families and their local communities to help children with special healthcare needs connect to services and resources.

Ralston is a Customer Service Associate in our Olney Regional Office. She’s known as the heart of her office who keeps operations running smoothly and in the best interest of DSCC’s families.

“Dalena embodies DSCC’s focus on partnerships and connections to help children with special healthcare needs achieve their full potential,” DSCC Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz said. “She works hard to develop relationships with both our families and the healthcare providers who serve them to create a seamless support system.”

Ralston’s colleagues say she is the caring voice that greets all callers and visitors to the Olney office, providing a compassionate ear and a quick response for their needs and concerns.

Each family in DSCC’s program has a care coordination team that helps them identify their child’s medical, social, behavioral, educational and financial needs and develop a plan of care. Ralston takes the time to become familiar with the Olney office’s participants and their providers. She works quickly behind the scenes to make sure the care coordination teams have the necessary medical reports and paperwork to begin supporting families as soon as possible.

Ralston also tracks down available resources and community supports for families who are not eligible for our program but in need of assistance.

“I look forward to coming to work and enjoy helping people in whatever way I can,” Ralston said. “When you enjoy what you do and believe in the mission behind it, that is all you need to work hard and give it your all.”

DSCC staff nominated a total of eight of their colleagues for this year’s Award of Merit. As the winner, Ralston receives an Award of Merit memento, a $2,000 award and recognition from the Executive Director.

The other 2018 nominees are:

• Ana Lule of the Mokena Regional Office
• Kristina Marquez of the Rockford Regional Office
• Mariangely Spilotro of the Lombard Regional Office
• Mary Gruneich of the Springfield and St. Clair regional offices
• Lisa Washington of the Lombard Regional Office
• Kim Firkins of the Lombard Regional Office
• Kathy Thomas of the Springfield Regional Office

Congratulations, Dalena! And a big thank you to all of the nominees for their excellence on behalf of our children and families!

Jacob Flynn is fulfilling his college dreams with help from his mother.

Like many young adults his age, 20-year-old Jacob Flynn headed back to school this fall for his sophomore year of college. But there were no sad goodbyes with his mom, Cheryl.

Cheryl not only drove him to Quincy University (QU) but also lives with him full-time during the week in their own apartment on campus.

Jacob has cerebral palsy and is a participant in the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). He requires round-the-clock assistance because of his mobility issues.

Cheryl decided to become Jacob’s personal aide so he can fulfill his dream of earning a college degree.

The mother-son duo says QU has been the perfect fit for Jacob’s needs. It’s also helped him gain a greater sense of independence.

“I always wanted to go to college like everybody else because I knew that was the only way I could get a job,” Jacob said. “Plus, I had advisors at (high) school that gave me options and opportunities to get here.”

Cheryl said she’s always encouraged her son to aim high.

“I’ve always pushed him like a normal child,” she said.

Jacob earned good grades while attending Brown County High School. As he and Cheryl researched college options, they learned that personal aid services would only be available for up to 16 hours.

Cheryl knew that amount isn’t sufficient for Jacob’s needs. She decided to become his personal aide to make sure he received the right accommodations and support.

The next step was finding the right college. Jacob said he was interested in attending a small school so he could easily get around campus. He and Cheryl eventually toured QU, a school of 1,100 students. They immediately felt right at home.

“The people were very nice,” Jacob said.

Cheryl joked that once Jacob saw the pizza oven in the cafeteria, he was sold. Jacob also received an academic scholarship from the college in addition to a scholarship from the Tracy Family Foundation.

The Flynns said QU staff members were extremely helpful in letting them look at available apartments and measuring doorways to ensure Jacob’s wheelchair could fit.

They were able to move into a first-floor, accessible apartment in the center of campus, close to Jacob’s classes and the cafeteria.

While they were moving in, a professor not only helped them unload their van but offered to check if Cheryl could get a discounted meal plan so she could eat with Jacob in the cafeteria. The college’s dining service, Chartwells, offered to let Cheryl eat on campus at no charge. The free meals have been a huge help, she said.

Jacob meanwhile has taken a full load of classes each semester. He initially wanted to major in computer science but changed his mind to focus on history.

During class, Cheryl takes notes for Jacob. He also uses a dictation program to type what he says. Jacob also has extended testing times for exams and tells Cheryl what to write.

Cheryl said that though she is on campus with her son, she does her best to “take off her mom hat” and let Jacob do things that a typical college student would like to do, like eat junk food and go to dinner with friends.

Jacob says he enjoys the greater independence.

He’s become well-known on the Quincy University campus and has met people from around the world.

Jacob earned a 3.9 GPA and was also nominated for QU’s Freshman of the Year. He also received a leadership award.

Jacob and Cheryl say it’s important for youth with disabilities to start their college planning early and make time to speak with college staff and other students.

“Talk to people to make sure they’re accommodating,” Cheryl said. “From the cafeteria to the groundskeepers to the housekeepers, everyone here (at QU) has been so helpful.”

The Flynns also use their DSCC Care Coordinator, Kathy, as a resource to help with any of Jacob’s equipment needs, such as a wheelchair lift for their vehicle, and questions about the transition from pediatric to adult services.

Jacob said he wants his peers to see that people with disabilities are no different than they are. He also wants to encourage other youth with disabilities to stay focused on their goals.

“Just know that it’s possible. Some people will say it’s not, but it is. You have to work hard and try your best and you’ll make it,” Jacob said.

Families and professionals from across the state attended annual Stepping Stones of Transition Conference to help youth with special needs.

More than 700 families and professionals gained valuable knowledge about helping adolescents with special needs prepare for adulthood during the 14th annual Illinois Statewide Transition Conference on Oct. 25-26 in Itasca.

The conference, titled “Stepping Stones of Transition,” is aimed at youth, parents, caretakers, vocational professionals, healthcare professionals, educators and others involved with improving outcomes for transition-age youth with disabilities. It highlights the opportunities and resources available for youth as they, their families and support teams plan and prepare for the future.

The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) served on the steering committee to plan this year’s conference.

DSCC also covered the conference-related expenses for 39 of our participant family members across the state. Part of DSCC’s mission is to connect adolescents with special healthcare needs and their families to resources that prepare them for the transition to adulthood and adult services.

Juliette De Nova is the parent of three children in DSCC’s program, including her 15-year-old daughter, Natalie, who has Down syndrome and a heart impairment.

“Natalie is home-schooled, so I’m her teacher, her transition coordinator, I’m the whole kit and caboodle, so there’s a lot to learn,” Juliette said.

She is grateful that DSCC was able to pay for her conference fee and hotel stay.

“I really appreciate it. We’re a single-income family with three kids with medical issues,” she said.

DSCC also coordinated and covered the cost for translation services for non-English speaking participants who attended. One Spanish-speaking parent said she was amazed at how much she was able to learn to prepare for her daughter’s future, all thanks to DSCC’s efforts.

Another teenaged DSCC participant said he was so inspired by the stories he heard that he wants to share his own transition experience at next year’s conference.

The conference consisted of informative breakout sessions in the area of:

• Independent Living
• Education and Training
• Employment
• Community Integration
• Health Care

Former DSCC participant Mary Kate DalCanton, 25, served as the conference’s first youth representative on the conference steering committee. This was her third year attending the conference and she loved having the opportunity to be involved with the planning.

“It’s actually kind of cool,” Mary Kate said.

“A lot of people who come to the conference are teachers and parents,” she added. “One of the reasons I wanted to be on the committee is to get more youth to the conference.”

Mary Kate planned a special Bingo Night for youth only during the conference to give young conference attendees the chance to meet one another and have fun away from their parents.

She solicited donations for prizes for players to encourage more people to participate.

Conference organizers honored Mary Kate for all of her efforts with a special award during the conference luncheon.

“I was very surprised,” Mary Kate said.

More than a dozen DSCC staff members also attended the conference to network, learn from others and strengthen their skillsets and the tools they use to serve our families.  DSCC’s Statewide Transition Coordinator Darcy Contri and Care Coordinator Angel Lawrence from our Champaign Regional Office led a discussion on how to put youth at the center of transition planning for healthier outcomes.

Additionally, DSCC sponsored the conference’s health care track for providers who play a role in the transition from the pediatric to adult healthcare system and those who build youth’s capacity and healthcare skills to prepare for adulthood.

During the health care track, Diane Becker of DSCC’s Home Care Quality Improvement and Enrollment Team presented on how providers and professionals can use data on the social determinants for health and success to change interventions and supports for youth in their area.

DSCC Care Coordinator Opal Andraka said she was inspired by her interactions with families from across the state during the conference.

“It was very eye-opening to hear them voice their questions and concerns in an open forum with subject-matter experts. Hearing them tell their stories is always a good way to remind us of our mission,” she said.

DSCC Family Liaison Violet Wiker staffed the Family Oasis Room, which gave families the opportunity to take a break and connect with other families.

DSCC Care Coordinator Autumn DeSilva worked DSCC’s booth at the conference’s exhibit hall. She said it was great to meet our participant families and connect them with their care coordinators in attendance at the conference.

Visit DSCC’s Facebook page to view photos and more information about this year’s conference.

Learn more about your rights and options with USAGov’s Guide for Voters with a Disability.

Election Day is right around the corner. Do you know if your polling place is accessible? Do you need accommodations?

USAGov has developed a step-by-step guide to help you plan accordingly and know your rights before heading to the polls.

The Guide for Voters with a Disability provides helpful suggestions, including calling your local elections office in advance to find out what accessible accommodations are available at your polling place.

You can also go to Vote.gov to register to vote or check if your registration is up-to-date

A special trailer makes travel possible for 5-year-old DSCC participant and her family.

Traveling with young children can be challenging, especially if your child has a complex medical condition.

The Taylor family has foregone family vacations for years because of their daughter’s special needs.

Erin, 5, has Down syndrome, a seizure disorder and other health issues that require numerous medical supplies and equipment to keep her safe. She and her family receive support from UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC).

When Erin became eligible for a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Taylors picked something to create new experiences and opportunities they could all enjoy as a family. The Taylors received their new travel trailer earlier this week.

“It’s amazing to know that we can now go and enjoy these things because before this, we actually had to leave Erin at home with nurses or family because we couldn’t take her. So, this is amazing,” Erin’s mom, Autumn Taylor, told WICA 3 News.

You can watch the full story of Erin’s special wish on the WCIA 3 News website.

Congratulations to the Taylors. We wish you many fun adventures!

 

Children and young adults’ original drawings will be featured in DSCC’s 2019 promotional calendar.

Calling all young artists! The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is seeking children and young adults’ artwork for its 2019 calendar. The calendar theme is based on DSCC’s mission to “Partner, Help, Connect.”

Who is eligible?

The contest is open to all Illinois youth up to age 21. Artists can choose any or all of the Partner, Help and Connect templates and illustrate what each theme means to them. Creativity is encouraged!

Click on this template link to print them out and personalize. You may also call DSCC at (800) 322-3722 to have templates sent to your home.

The template includes a release for parents and/or youth ages 18 and older to sign. A signed release must be submitted with the artwork in order to be entered into the contest.

How to submit:

Artwork and a signed release should be submitted to DSCC by Sept. 1, 2018.

Mail to: UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children
3135 Old Jacksonville Road
Springfield, IL 62704
Attention: Amanda Simhauser

OR

If you are a DSCC participant, you can give contest submissions to your Care Coordinator.

Selection process:

Each submitted drawing will be posted on DSCC’s Facebook page . Drawings that receive the most “likes” by Sept. 21, 2018, will be considered for the calendar. Be sure to visit our page, vote and share!

This calendar will be given away for promotional purposes and will not be sold. Winners will have a calendar mailed to the address provided.

 

Families gain valuable information and confidence during the 2018 Institute for Parents of Preschool Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Late last year, Kendall and Nick Gould’s infant daughter, Tate, was born with a hearing loss in both ears. The Chicago couple immediately wanted to learn as much as possible to be effective advocates for their daughter.

A few months later, the Goulds packed up Tate and her big sister, Elle, to travel to Jacksonville for the Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. They were among 23 families from around the state who attended the free one-week program at the Illinois School for the Deaf campus from June 10-15.

“It’s a terrific opportunity to learn a broad array of perspectives,” Nick said.

The couple enjoyed listening to the experiences of other parents as well as professionals with a hearing loss themselves.

“I’m learning a lot and being instilled with confidence as a parent to know we’re doing the right thing,” Kendall said.

The Institute provides support and valuable information on communication options, language development, amplification, social-emotional development and school programs.

“A great experience”

Participating parents attend daily lectures by experts in the field to learn about raising a child with hearing loss.  Lecture topics include child development, types of hearing loss, language development, communication choices, deaf culture and school programming. Other activities include meeting in small groups to discuss specific concerns and connecting with other caregivers.

During the Institute, children attend classrooms overseen by experienced teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They have the opportunity to receive hearing, vision, psychological, speech, language and educational evaluations as well as play with other children who have a hearing loss.

Their siblings are also welcome to attend. This year’s sibling program had 15 children.

There is no cost for families to participate, and meals and housing are provided at no charge.

UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) supports the Institute, along with other sponsors. DSCC Care Coordinators and other team members work hard to help eligible families enroll in the Institute.

Tiffany Farrer attended the Institute with her 2-year-old daughter, Jane, who has a hearing loss in both ears. Their family had just moved to Quincy from South Dakota on May 31.

Tiffany had learned about the Institute on the internet and thought it could be helpful to introduce her family to services and providers near their new home. She explained that her family didn’t yet have an Illinois doctor or audiologist for Jane.

Springfield DSCC Care Coordinator Daniel Porter immediately contacted the Farrers and traveled to their home on June 5. He helped the family fill out the applications and submit all necessary paperwork to enroll with DSCC. Daniel also assured the family he would help find the right providers within their insurance coverage.

The following day, Jane was enrolled as a DSCC participant and accepted for the Institute.

“Daniel took care of everything,” Tiffany said.

While at the Institute, Tiffany said she enjoyed learning more sign language to give her daughter more communications options.

“It’s a great experience, I’m happy to be here,” she said.

“Thankful for the friendships”

Andrea Stambaugh attended the Institute with her 2-year-old son, Axel Johnson. Axel has bilateral hearing loss and cochlear implants in both ears.

Andrea is active with Illinois Guide by Your Side and heard one of the program’s parent guides speak highly of the Institute. She wanted to be able to learn more about resources and develop relationships with other families who have children with a hearing loss.

“I’ve liked meeting the other families, and it’s been good for Axel to see other deaf children and adults,” Andrea said.

DSCC Family Liaison Violet Wiker said these special connections and conversations are what the Institute is all about.

“These families are so appreciative that they have the opportunity to learn from so many different professionals. They are even more thankful for the friendships they are forming,” she said.

For more information about the Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and how DSCC can support children with hearing loss, call (800) 322-3722 or email dscc@uic.edu.

Visit DSCC’s Facebook page for photos from this year’s Institute.

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• The condition in this story is covered by Specialized Care for Children

Program open to all youth age 18 and under to fill the nutritional gap during the summer months.

Many Illinois families depend on their children’s schools to provide regular, healthy meals. The Illinois State Board of Education manages the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to provide children continued access to free and nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months when school is out.

The SFSP program serves children and teens age 18 and younger.

To find a meal site near you, call (800) 359-2163, text “FoodIL” to 877-877 or visit http://summerfeedingillinois.org/.

“Children need healthy food during the summer as much as they need it during the school year,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “The Summer Food Service Program brings critical resources to communities across the state and helps all our children stay ready to learn. ISBE is proud to administer the Summer Food Service Program.”

To learn more about this year’s SFSP program, read the State Board of Education’s SFSP news release.

A variety of overnight and day camps are available throughout Illinois.

Are you looking for fun and engaging activities to help your child make new friends, develop new skills and foster their independence?

Our Care Coordinators and support staff have helped compile a list of day and overnight summer camp opportunities across the state that are designed for a variety of special needs and abilities, including many of our program’s eligible medical conditions.

The list of 2018 summer camp activities is available on our events calendar, where you can see opportunities listed for each month.

You may also search for events in your area by clicking on a regional office near you.