Webinar Series to Help Families, Caregivers and Youth Navigate the Transition to Adulthood

May 14th, 2025

A winding road with two location markers and the text, "Preparing for Adulthood: A Roadmap for the Future Webinar Series" and the University of Illinois Chicago's Division of Specialized Care for Children logo

Learn practical strategies and tools to plan for the transition to adulthood during our free two-part series

Families can face new challenges and shifting roles as young people move toward adulthood.

Join the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) to learn more about navigating this journey during our free “Preparing for Adulthood: A Roadmap for the Future” webinar series.

The two-part series will feature Claire Cook, DSCC Title V Transition Specialist, and Suzanne Aaron, Northern Illinois Outreach Specialist for Illinois Life Span.

The sessions will cover:

  • Session Two: Empowering Parents and Caregivers,” July 31 at 6 p.m.

    Session two is for parents, caregivers and families of youth ages 16 and older with complex needs and/or disabilities.

    Building on session one, participants will dive deeper into adult guardianship, health insurance, benefits and programs for youth with complex needs. The session will focus on creating meaningful daily routines while managing evolving family dynamics. It will also explore the role of support circles and how to make decisions that support youth and caregivers in the long run. 

Each presentation will be in English. Live Spanish interpretation will be available.

The recordings and slides for both sessions will be available on our Family Education Webinars page.

If you have questions about the series, please contact Claire Cook at clairer3@uic.edu or (800) 322-3722.

Please spread the word and plan to join us!

New Law Empowers Adults With Disabilities to Make Their Own Choices

February 18th, 2022

The Supported Decision-Making Act takes effect Feb. 27 and allows individuals with disabilities to make decisions with help from trusted supporters

When making decisions, we all rely on help and advice to choose what’s right for us.

A new Illinois law ensures people with disabilities can get the help they need to make decisions for their own lives.

The Supported Decision-Making Act empowers individuals with disabilities to make their own choices with the right support. It takes effect on Feb. 27.

Research shows that when persons with disabilities have more control over their lives, they experience better health and wellbeing. However, many persons with disabilities have faced unnecessary and restrictive guardianships once they turn 18 simply because of their disability.

Supported decision-making is an alternative to guardianship. It allows individuals with disabilities to identify a supporter. This supporter can help interpret information, weigh options and help communicate the person’s decisions in certain areas as needed.

These areas can include:

  • Where to live
  • Medical care or counseling
  • Money
  • Work
  • School
  • Public benefits and more

An identified supporter is someone the person with disabilities knows and trusts. It can be:

  • A friend
  • A family member
  • A co-worker or colleague
  • A person with professional skills

Under the act, the person with disabilities fills out a Supported Decision-Making Agreement. The agreement identifies the supporter and what areas the person with disabilities needs support with.

This agreement ensures that the person with disabilities makes decisions and not the identified supporter.

This process promotes self-sufficiency and control for individuals with disabilities.

Illinois is among several states that have supported decision-making laws in place.

The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission has many resources to explain the new Supported Decision-Making Act. These include:

Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center is also hosting an upcoming webinar on the Supported Decision-Making Act.

The presentation will provide an overview of the law. It will also review the contents of a Supported Decision-Making Agreement and share examples of how supported decision-making works.

The “Supported Decision-Making in Illinois: What Is It and How Does It Work?” webinar will take place at 11 a.m. Feb. 22.

Additional resources on supported-decision making are available in the Guardianship and Alternatives section of our Transition Tools.