Home Care Enrollment Assistant Wins DSCC’s Award of Merit
![2019 DSCC Award of Merit Winner Yesenia Bustamante shakes hands with Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Yesenia-and-Tom-for-web-e1573505790372.jpg)
Chicago Home Care Regional Office’s Yesenia Bustamante honored for outstanding service to children with special healthcare needs.
Yesenia Bustamante is the 2019 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.
Bustamante is an Enrollment Assistant with DSCC’s Home Care Enrollment Team. This statewide team serves as a family’s first introduction to the Home Care Program. The program supports families who care for children and young adults who are medically fragile and require skilled in-home shift nursing.
Yesenia works at the Chicago Home Care Regional Office. Her colleagues say she is an indispensable team member who is dependable, motivational and passionate about serving DSCC’s participants and families. Yesenia often goes on home visits to provide Spanish interpretation services and frequently rearranges her schedule to be available to meet with families.
“Yesenia is highly organized and keeps her colleagues on task while ensuring our participants’ needs are at the center of what we do,” DSCC Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz said. “She leads by example and shows the utmost empathy and care for each Home Care participant and family’s situation.”
After 15 years at DSCC, Yesenia says she loves the feeling of helping a family in need.
“Throughout the course of my tenure at DSCC, it has been a privilege and an honor to work on behalf of our families and participants to ensure that they have access to much-needed resources to assist them with maintaining daily life within their respective communities,” Yesenia said. “It is amazing and inspiring to see so many caring individuals come together as one to carry out DSCC’s mission to partner, help and connect families to services and resources.”
DSCC staff nominated a total of thirteen of our colleagues for this year’s Award of Merit. As the winner, Yesenia receives an Award of Merit memento, a $2,000 award and recognition from the Executive Director.
The other 2019 nominees are:
- Stephanie Alumbaugh, Champaign Regional Office
- Amy Cunningham, Rockford Regional Office
- Kim Firkins, Lombard Regional Office
- Jane Gowans, Mokena Regional Office
- Andrea Hoskinson, Central Administrative Office in Springfield
- Tiffany Kalka, Central Administrative Office in Springfield
- Roxane Lowry, Champaign Regional Office
- Charmaine McGovern, Lombard Regional Office
- Amy Nixon, Central Administrative Office in Springfield
- Brittani Provost, Champaign Regional Office
- Brenda Solomon, Central Administrative Office in Springfield
- Violet Wiker, Central Administrative Office in Springfield
Congratulations, Yesenia! And a big thank you to all of the nominees for their excellence on behalf of our participants and families!
![Eleven of the 13 DSCC Award of Merit nominees for 2019 pose with Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Good-Group-Pic-1024x623.jpg)
DSCC Mom Explains Teal Pumpkin Project’s Value
![Axel Johnson sits with an overturned bucket of Halloween candy that he cannot eat](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Axel-Johnson-Halloween-Candy-e1572291100961.jpg)
“Let’s include the kids who often feel as if they are forgotten.”
Andrea Stambaugh’s son, Axel, is 3 years old. He loves to keep up with other kids his age, and trick-or-treating on Halloween is no exception.
This fun tradition, however, leads to disappointment for the young participant in the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) program.
Axel is unable to eat candy and other food items typically passed out at Halloween due to his medical needs. The lack of safe treats for Axel and children with food allergies or special needs is what makes the Teal Pumpkin Project so important, Andrea said.
The Teal Pumpkin Project aims to make Halloween safer and more inclusive for all youth by promoting non-food alternatives to the traditional Halloween candy. It encourages households to put a teal pumpkin on their doorstep to show that non-food treats are available, such as small toys or glow sticks.
Over the weekend, Andrea wrote a moving post on Axel’s Facebook page, “Axel’s Journey with CMV”, to explain what the Teal Pumpkin Project means to children like Axel.
We wanted to share her words to highlight the project’s impact on families in our program:
“Why is the #TealPumpkinProject so important?
Let me explain with the one photo below (shown above).
Every year our hometown has a day dedicated to trick or treating around the businesses.
We trick-or-treated today for four hours.
As Halloween tradition goes; once it was over, all the kids go home and beg their parents to sort through their candy bags so they can trade with their friends and eat candy until their stomach hurts.
Well, I shouldn’t say all kids, I should say that’s what MOST kids do.
In some houses when the child gets home from a fun day trick or treating, all they ended up with was a basket full of treats they can’t enjoy and disappointment.
This picture was taken when we got home today. As you can see, the majority of Axel’s teal bucket was full of candy he can not eat and only a few trinkets that he can enjoy.
The owners of the two businesses who participated in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year actually are followers of our blog.
For kids with allergies or g-tubes (gastrostomy tubes) or medical conditions that limit the things they can or cannot eat, this is what a typical Halloween night looks like.
My son so desperately wants to do the things the other kids are doing. So we take him trick-or-treating. As a parent, it breaks my heart knowing that at the end of the night there is nothing in his bucket really for him.
If you don’t know Axel, he can eat nothing by mouth and is completely dependent on his g-tube for nutrition.
Today, as people would place their Halloween bucket in front of him he would look down to see the candy and a disappointed look would come over him. In the beginning, he would pick a piece to satisfy the person with the dish, but toward the end it wasn’t even worth it. He knew none of the candy going into his bucket were really for hIm.
When I picked through his bucket and gave him the seven things he could enjoy, he was happy with that. He is easy to please. But, I just wish I had a whole bucket of things to give him.
I’m not writing this for sympathy.
I’m writing this as a mom. A mom whose only goal in life is to make sure her son is always included.
I’m writing as a plea to those who are reading.
I’m begging you to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year and offer non-food items to those who need them.
Let’s include the kids who often feel as if they are forgotten.
If you need to know what the Teal Pumpkin Project is or would like to register your house on the map of those participating, you can find additional information here ——> https://www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project.”
Move to Managed Care Extended
![HealthChoice Illinois logo](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HealthChoice-Illinois-Logo-good.png)
New Feb. 1 deadline gives affected DSCC participants more time to research and select a Medicaid managed care plan.
HealthChoice Illinois is the new Medicaid managed care program that is now required statewide.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) originally planned to move children with special healthcare needs into a HealthChoice Illinois health plan on Nov. 1, 2019. HFS has extended the start date.
The new start date is Feb. 1, 2020. The extended timeframe will help ensure a smoother transition for affected families.
This delay means affected children will remain enrolled with UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) in the meantime.
Enrollment in a HealthChoice Illinois plan is mandatory for most DSCC families who both:
- Receive Medicaid and
- Do not have private health insurance.
Note that if your child is a Home Care Program participant, your child will not transition to a HealthChoice Illinois plan. This transition only affects DSCC’s Core Program participants who meet the criteria above.
Affected families will receive new enrollment packets from Illinois Client Enrollment Services in mid-December. We will share more information about the deadline to select a HealthChoice Illinois plan and primary care provider once it becomes available.
There are at least four HealthChoice Illinois health plans to choose from.
We developed a list of questions to help our participant families select the best plan for their family’s needs. The “MCO Selection Tip Sheet for Families” is available at https://dscc.uic.edu/browse-resources/available-brochures-pamphlets/.
More information about Illinois’ managed care program is available at https://enrollhfs.illinois.gov/choose/compare-plans.
DSCC staff is working with HFS and its partners to continue our care coordination services for families beyond the Feb.1 transition. We will share more details about this process once they become available.
“DSCC is committed to supporting our families and making this transition to a new health plan as seamless as possible,” DSCC Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz said.
Families may contact their local DSCC regional office with questions. Families may also reach us at (800) 322-3722 or dscc@uic.edu.
Portion of DSCC Families to Move to Managed Care
![HealthChoice Illinois logo](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HealthChoice-Illinois-Logo-good.png)
NOTE: The timeline for the Medicaid managed care transition has been extended. Read more at https://dscc.uic.edu/move-to-managed-care-extended/.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has expanded its Medicaid managed care program.
Managed care is a type of health insurance program. When you enroll in managed care, you become a member of a health plan. HealthChoice Illinois is the new managed care program that is now required statewide.
This change will affect some participants’ enrollment status with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC).
Enrollment in a HealthChoice Illinois plan is mandatory for most DSCC families who both:
- Receive Medicaid and
- Do not have private health insurance
Note that if your child is a Home Care Program participant, your family will not transition to a HealthChoice Illinois Plan. This transition only affects DSCC’s Core Program participants who meet the criteria above.
There are at least four HeatlhChoice Illinois health plans for families to select.
Affected families must choose a HealthChoice Illinois health plan and primary care provider (PCP) by Oct. 15. If a family does not choose a plan before Oct. 15, HFS will assign one.
“Our staff will support our families to make this transition to a new health plan as seamless as possible” DSCC Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz said.
We developed a list of questions to help our participant families select the best plan for their family’s needs. The “MCO Selection Tip Sheet for Families” is available at https://dscc.uic.edu/browse-resources/available-brochures-pamphlets/.
We urge affected DSCC families to please watch their mail for an enrollment packet from Illinois Client Enrollment Services.
More information about Illinois’ managed care program is available at https://enrollhfs.illinois.gov/choose/plans-by-county/cook. Illinois Client Enrollment Services plans to mail packets the week of Sept. 16.
DSCC staff is currently working with HFS and its partners to continue our care coordination services for families affected by this transition. DSCC’s financial assistance should also be available to affected families. We will share more details about this process once they become available.
DSCC Care Coordinators will reach out to affected families to collect updated information about their child. Care Coordinators will also continue to work with participants to develop their plan of care.
Again, this transition only affects DSCC’s Core Program participants who receive Medicaid and do not have private health insurance.
“Through these changes, DSCC will remain a resource for affected families. We value their partnership and will continue to help connect their children to the proper services and support,” Jerkovitz said.
Families may contact their local DSCC regional office with questions. Families may also reach us at (800) 322-3722 or dscc@uic.edu.
DSCC Participant Beats the Odds to Graduate
![Makenzie Hardesty smiles while wearing her high school graduation gown](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Makenzie-graduation-cropped-for-web-e1564769251803-1.jpg)
Makenzie Hardesty continues to thrive while living with a rare terminal disease.
Like many mothers on graduation day, Andrea Lancaster cried tears of joy as she watched her daughter Makenzie Hardesty receive her high school diploma.
It’s a milestone that once seemed out of reach.
The 18-year-old Normal Community West High School student has mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type VI. It’s a rare terminal illness that affects many organs and body functions. Her younger sister Isabella has the same disease.
![Sisters Isabella and Makenzie Hardesty pose together](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Makenzie-3-169x300.jpg)
Makenzie Hardesty and her younger sister Isabella both have mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type VI.
“Quite honestly, I didn’t expect them to live this long. At first I was told age 5, and then it was 13 and then it was, ‘We don’t know,’” Andrea said of her daughters’ prognosis. “We’ve been doing a lot to make sure they can stay here as long as possible.”
For Makenzie, these efforts meant numerous childhood surgeries and 12-plus years of lengthy enzyme replacement therapy treatments each week.
Through it all, she continued to work hard and balance school work with her medical demands.
She graduated May 25. Two local television stations covered her story.
“Do the best you can”
Makenzie said her mantra has been, “do your work and do the best you can, always.”
It’s a simple work ethic that can provide hope to many living with rare and terminal diseases.
“Something I want more people to see is that Makenzie and Bella are still living and striving with MPS, even later on in life than what was expected,” Andrea said.
MPS Type VI is a lysosomal storage disorder. Makenzie and Isabella lack an enzyme needed to break down a certain form of sugar, so it builds up in the body. For the Hardesty sisters, it affects their airways, eyes, hearing and joints. It also causes small stature.
![Makenzie Hardesty posing and smiling with her stepfather, mother, and two younger sisters](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Makenzie-6-300x300.jpg)
Makenzie Hardesty with her family: stepfather, Chris; mother, Andrea; younger sister, Isabella; and youngest sister, Kaylee.
Makenzie has had a tracheostomy tube since she was 6 years old and needed in-home shift nursing for most of her life. She’s been enrolled with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) for 13 years.
Both she and Isabella undergo enzyme replacement therapy treatment at Children’s Hospital of Illinois once a week for about six hours to help combat the effects of their illness. The lengthy treatments meant she missed one day of school each week.
Makenzie says she would get her homework assignments the day before her therapy treatments. While receiving her therapy, she’d work on schoolwork with a teacher from the hospital’s pediatric school.
“I’m very proud of her,” Andrea told WICS ABC Newschannel 20. “No matter what surgery she’s had, no matter what she’s been through, she did it with A’s and B’s and no missed assignments.”
“You can make it”
As tough as living with MPS Type VI can be, Makenzie said her condition could be much worse, so she tries to focus on what she can do.
“I don’t let that affect me because I do stuff that I like to do, and I don’t let my disorder get to me,” she told WEEK 25 News.
During high school, Makenzie discovered a love of photography. She’s now looking into photography courses through the New York Institute of Photography.
Makenzie’s current doctors say she still needs 24/7 care from a shift nurse and/or family member due to her tracheostomy tube. However, Andrea said her daughter has become much more stable and less dependent on her trach.
![Makenzie Hardesty poses with the award she received during Senior Awards Night.](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Makenzie-with-award-cropped-for-web-218x300.jpg)
Makenzie Hardesty poses with the award she received during Senior Awards Night.
The family is working with their DSCC Care Coordinator to transition to an adult pulmonologist who could help Makenzie reach her goal of becoming more independent in her care.
“I want to give her space to be an adult,” Andrea said.
She and Makenzie are also working with DSCC and the Department of Human Services to find out what adult services are available as she navigates life post-high school.
Makenzie encourages other DSCC participants who are starting high school to not be shy and use their voice to speak up or ask a question.
She also stresses the importance of hard work and perseverance.
“I didn’t think I was going to get through it but I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m done. I passed a milestone.’ So if you’re fighting through something, you can make it,” Makenzie told WEEK 25 News.
New Law Promotes Seizure Safety at Illinois Schools
![Three students boarding a school bus](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Boarding-school-bus-e1564507892483-1.jpg)
The Seizure Smart School Act requires seizure action plans for students and training for school staff.
A new law aims to help schools better support the needs of students with epilepsy.
All Illinois school staff must be trained in seizure first aid under the Seizure Smart School Act.
The act, which was signed into law this month, takes effect July 1, 2020.
The law also requires parents of students with epilepsy to submit a seizure action plan to their child’s school.
Illinois is now one of four states to pass Seizure Safe School legislation, according to the Epilepsy Foundation of America.
“Each year, the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) serves hundreds of Illinois children with some form of epilepsy,” DSCC Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz said. “Our staff is ready to partner with parents and school personnel to make sure these children stay safe and well-supported throughout the school day.”
Under the law, a seizure action plan describes the services that a student with epilepsy needs at school and at school-sponsored activities. It should include instructions from the child’s healthcare provider and a copy of any prescriptions and how to give them to the student.
The plan also identifies a “delegated care aid,” who is a trained school employee who can help the student with their seizure action plan.
Families of children with epilepsy who are DSCC participants can talk to their Care Coordinator for help putting together a seizure action plan.
DSCC Care Coordinators can also attend school meetings with families to make sure their child’s educational, social and medical needs are being met.
The Seizure Smart School Act also requires all school employees to complete seizure recognition and first-aid response training.
Read the full text of the law for more details.
The Epilepsy Foundation of America states that about 500,000 children – approximately six in 1,000 – live with epilepsy and seizures. It is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the country and is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures that affect a variety of mental and physical functions.
Artwork Needed for DSCC Greeting Card Contest
![](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Contest-Image-2019-e1567027737204.png)
Original drawings will be featured in DSCC’s new collection of greeting cards.
Calling Illinois artists of all ages!
The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is seeking artwork for our collection of greeting cards. The cards will be sent to our participants, providers and community partners.
Who is eligible?
The contest is open to Illinois residents of all ages. Artists can choose any or all of the six greeting card templates and illustrate what each theme means to them. Creativity is encouraged!
Each template is two pages and 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.
You may click on each template link below to print them out and personalize:
You may also call DSCC at (800) 322-3722 to have templates sent to your home.
How to submit:
Artwork and a signed release should be submitted to DSCC by Sept. 15, 2019.
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 Oct. 15, 2019, will be considered for the greeting cards. Be sure to visit our page, vote and share!
The greeting cards will be given away for promotional purposes and will not be sold. Winners will have a set of greeting cards mailed to the address provided.
Institute Provides Support, Connection for DSCC Families of Children With Hearing Loss
![Six young children with hearing loss laugh as they sit on a swing together](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DSC_7219-cropped-for-web.jpg)
Families gain knowledge, resources and friendships during the 2019 Institute for Parents of Preschool Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
When Leticia Hubart learned about the Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, she knew she must attend.
Her 4-year-old son, Liam, was just diagnosed with hearing loss in December after showing behavioral issues.
“Hearing loss was not on my radar. I dove right into educating myself,” she said.
Leticia, Liam and his big sister, Teagen, traveled from Rock Island to the Illinois School for the Deaf campus in Jacksonville to attend the Institute. They joined 33 other families from across the state for the weeklong program from June 9-14.
“It’s changed my world,” Leticia said of the experience. “It opened my eyes to the diversity of hearing loss. It’s not a doom-and-gloom kind of diagnosis. He’s going to be OK, and I’m going to be the best advocate I can be for him.”
The Institute provides support and valuable information on communication options, language development, amplification, social-emotional development and school programs. There is no cost to participating families.
A common link
UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) supports the Institute, along with other sponsors.
This year’s Institute was the largest on record, with 34 participant children enrolled and a total of 119 people attending from 31 families.
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
- Assistive communication devices
- Deaf culture
- School programming
Other activities include meeting in small groups to discuss specific concerns and connecting with other caregivers. Parents are also able to have a night out together without their children.
![An American Sign Language instructor teaches parents during the 2019 Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DSC_7112-cropped-for-web-300x218.jpg)
An American Sign Language instructor teaches parents during the 2019 Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
During the Institute, children attend classrooms based on their age group. Experienced teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing oversee these classrooms.
Attending children 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 and participate in fun and educational activities, including art projects and learning to sign. This year’s sibling program had 30 children.
There is no cost for families to participate, and meals and housing are provided at no charge.
“I am very delighted that one common link that each of these families share is that each one of them is a DSCC family. I am so thankful to our DSCC staff for the extra work that was involved in getting each of these families ready for this weeklong experience,” DSCC Family Liaison Violet Wiker said.
A community ready to help
T.J. and Brianna Taylor of Macomb attended the Institute with their 11-month-old daughter, Larkin.
Larkin’s newborn hearing screenings were positive, suggesting she may have a problem hearing. She then underwent an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test. She was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and enrolled with DSCC and Early Intervention.
“She’s been in her element. She loves watching people sign,” T.J. said, noting Larkin has already mastered several basic signs herself.
The Taylors want to let Larkin choose her communication form and her assistive device as she gets older. T.J. said it’s been valuable for the couple to hear so many positive stories about different options.
Brianna said she also values the connection with other families.
“We all have different journeys but it’s nice to be able to relate to those different stories,” she said.
Lynsey Runyon attended with her 4-year-old son, Branson. She said she was impressed with the amount of information available during Institute.
Years of problems passed before Branson’s hearing loss was diagnosed in spring 2018. A few months later, Lynsey moved her family to Jacksonville so Branson could attend the Illinois School for the Deaf late last fall.
Lynsey said she often feels she is trying to play catch-up with learning about the world of hearing loss. She appreciated the Institute’s more in-depth lectures and workshops to explain topics in ways she could easily understand.
“I only wish we would have found out about this sooner,” she said.
Many of the attendees encouraged other parents to consider the Institute.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help because you have a community that’s ready to be there and help you,” Leticia Hubart said. “Don’t’ be afraid to advocate for your child.”
Visit our Facebook page for photos from this year’s Institute.
For more information about the Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and how DSCC supports children with hearing loss, call (800) 322-3722 or email dscc@uic.edu.
Visit our Facebook page for photos from this year’s Institute.
The following organizations supported the 2019 Institute:
- University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC)
- Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
- Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD)
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- Department of Public Health (DPH)
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
DSCC “Angel” Helps Teen’s Wish Come True
![Care Coordination in Action text with DSCC logo](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Care-Coordination-in-Action-Graphic-for-Web-FB-e1549919617429.png)
Division of Specialized Care for Children participant Trenten Jankuski has a special vacation and accessible home, thanks to Care Coordinator Angel Lawrence’s efforts.
Angel Lawrence is a Care Coordinator at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). A big part of this job involves connecting families with the right services and resources to support their children with special healthcare needs. Sometimes, a seemingly simple connection can make a dream come true.
Such was the case for Trenten Jankuski, a 16-year-old DSCC participant with cerebral palsy.
More than two years ago, Angel started working closely with Trenten’s family to help make their home more accessible.
The Jankuskis live in a bi-level home. It made sense for Trenten’s therapy needs to move his living space to the home’s lower level. However, Trenten’s power wheelchair could not access the lower level.
Angel got to work seeking bids from vendors who could examine the house and determine what modifications would be necessary. Angel enlisted the help of UIC’s Assistive Technology Unit, which determined that an elevator would be the best option for the home and Trenten’s wheelchair. The elevator, however, would have a high price tag.
Angel then started checking for funding sources and grant opportunities. After months of effort, she helped the Jankuskis receive a grant from the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services to cover most of the elevator’s costs. Angel also contacted Make-A-Wish Illinois and the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation to see if any assistance was available.
The Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation was able to provide the remaining funds needed for the elevator, which was installed in March.
But the Make-A-Wish Foundation took an interest in Trenten’s story and contacted his mother to set up an interview in February. A trip to Disney World for his whole family was soon in the works for the avid Disney fan.
On March 15, local Make-A-Wish granters met Trenten’s parents at his high school to surprise him and announce the special vacation would start that Sunday. The Kankakee Daily Journal newspaper was there to capture the fun announcement. You can read the Daily Journal’s coverage on the newspaper’s website.
Angel said she’s delighted to see Trenten, his parents and his siblings have this special getaway together.
“This is an opportunity for them as a family to really enjoy one another in a fun atmosphere, away from the reality of day-to-day life,” she said. “They can enjoy a real vacation.”
We’re grateful for Angel’s hard work to help this very deserving family. Congratulation to Trenten and all of the Jankuskis!
DSCC Associate Director Earns Nursing Honor
![Molly Hofmann](https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MOLLY-HOFMANN-for-web-2.jpg)
Molly Hofmann has been named an Emerging Nurse Leader in Illinois.
The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is pleased to announce that our Associate Director Molly Hofmann is one of the 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders in Illinois.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation sponsors this award, which highlights and celebrates young nurse leaders who are influencing health care and the nursing profession today.
Molly is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who serves as DSCC’s Associate Director of Care Coordination. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of all care coordination operations, policies and procedures for the Core and Home Care Programs.
Molly is also working on her doctorate of nursing practice degree through UIC’s College of Nursing in Peoria.
“This is a wonderful recognition of what she has accomplished in her young career. We are fortunate to have Molly as part of the DSCC Leadership Team,” DSCC Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz said. “She lives our mission to partner, help and connect every day.”
Molly says she is passionate about the appropriate and comprehensive care of the pediatric patient and their family.
“I have seen the positive impact good care coordination can have for children and their families and am excited to be a part of a team with a mission to partner, help and connect families and the community,” she said.
Before joining DSCC in November 2016, Molly worked as an APRN at the Pediatric Resource Center in Peoria. The Pediatric Resource Center is a program of the UIC College of Medicine in Peoria and affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Illinois (CHOI).
Her past experience also includes:
- Serving as an APN and clinic coordinator of the Trach/Vent Program at CHOI
- Performing clinical projects as a Six Sigma Black Belt
- Working as a registered nurse in pediatric intermediate care and the emergency department
Molly lives in Washington with her husband and two young daughters.
Molly and her fellow awardees will be honored on Sept. 12 at the Illinois Nurse Foundation’s award recognition event in Lisle.
Congratulations, Molly, on this well-deserved honor!