Early CHOICES’ Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Inclusion Toolkit aims to help families of children with disabilities navigate the early childhood system to ensure their child is included in the LRE. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking for specific support, this toolkit will empower you to champion inclusion for your child.

The LRE Inclusion Toolkit includes:

• Evidence for the benefits of inclusion
• Federal guidance for inclusion
• Resources with links and guidance to help you understand and use the tools effectively
• Bolded keywords throughout the document that you can easily find in the “Glossary” at the end of the toolkit
• QR codes for each of the embedded links

Medicaid will pay for transportation to and from appointments that Medicaid covers. For example, Medicaid will pay the cost for a trip to see a specialist.

This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) explains how to use Transdev to submit prior approvals for transportation.

Transdev Transportation Prior Approval Tip Sheet in English

Transdev Transportation Prior Approval Tip Sheet in Spanish 

EngineerGirl focuses on diversity of thought and the many opportunities engineering represents for girls and women. The EngineerGirl website includes inspiration, information about women engineers and their achievements, “Try This” design challenges, a writing contest, summer study programs for high school students and more. EngineerGirl offers girls interested in problem-solving and engineering.

Visit its website for information about engineering scholarships and the EngineeringGirl annual writing contest.

Bridgeway provides a wide range of programs for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in west-central and northern Illinois. Bridgeway offers a variety of person-centered programs that focus on greater choice, achieving independence and community participation. Bridgeway programs include:

• Day services
• Adult learning services
• School-based counseling
• Community living and supports
• Employment programs
• Substance use assessments and programs for youth and adults

Aspire partners with people with disabilities to explore new possibilities in living, learning and working. Programs focus on furthering diversity, inclusion, and life and career skills for adults with developmental disabilities throughout Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs, southeast Wisconsin and virtually. Aspire services and programs include:

• Community homes
• Independent living support
• Life enrichment
• Virtual life coaching
• Job training and support

Independent Living Radio/Radio Vida Independiente broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the internet. The station aims to promote inclusion and awareness about issues related to disability. In addition to music, the station provides programs in English and Spanish on topics including:

• Adaptive technology
• Disability programs and services
• Employment
• Laws
• Activities around the world

The Progress Center for Independent Living serves over 133 municipalities throughout suburban Cook County. It is a community-based, non-profit, non-residential service and advocacy organization operated for people with disabilities, by people with disabilities. Progress Center provides a variety of training and education services, housing assistance, and tools and resources for people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. These include:

• Youth transition to adulthood program
• Independent living skills training
• Peer counseling
• Housing assistance
• Deaf services
• Braille classes
• Radio Independent Living 24/7

The United Spinal Association empowers and advocates for wheelchair users and people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) nationwide. The organization provides local chapters, disability resources, peer support, a manual wheelchair guide and app, a health equity checklist and toolkit and more. Its resources include:

• The United Spinal Association of Illinois
• Peer support groups and mentorship programs (in-person or virtual)
• Equipment or supply closet/loan program
• Regular social events and activities
• Individual grants to members
• The Disability Etiquette Guide to download and share

Granted helps “wishes” come true for children in southeast Illinois, southern Indiana and western Kentucky with terminal or life-threatening conditions. The non-profit aims to give children and their families respite from the physical, emotional and financial toll of a life-threatening illness. Granted’s wishes aim to to provide strength, hope, joy and a wonderful experience that the family can enjoy together and treasure among their memories.

Granted’s services also include events throughout the year, support groups and resource referrals for families in crisis. The organization serves a 100-mile radius of Evansville, Ind. See a map of Granted’s service area.

 

The High Fives Foundation focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and providing resources for outdoor adventure sports athletes if they happen. High Fives provides community support, inspiration and grants to help athletes and veterans with spinal cord injuries (SCI), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and others get back to their outdoor physical activity of choice from snowboarding and skiing to surfing and mountain biking and beyond.

The High Fives Foundation Empowerment Fund grants are primarily need-based. Recipients can use the grant funds for adaptive sports equipment, healing network, medical equipment, programs, living expenses and emergency care/injury expenses. Athletes living in the United States or Canada and meeting the criteria for each grant cycle can apply each year.