State of Illinois Disability Resources

Child and Family Connections (CAP/SPOE)
Child and Family Connections is the central point for Madison, Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair Counties. It is responsible for ensuring that all referrals of children, under the age of three, to the Early Intervention system in Illinois, receive a timely response. It is also responsible for insuring that the various functions are conducted with families in a prompt, professional, and family-centered manner. For more information contact:

Child and Family Connections
1306 Wabash
Belleville, IL 62220
1 (888) 594-8364 or (618) 257-8909
Fax: (618) 257-9106

There are twenty-four Child and Family Connections in Illinois; contact the Early Intervention Central Directory "Help Me Grow Help Line" 1 (800) 323-GROW

Southern Illinois Child and Family Connections
1108 W. Willow
Carbondale, IL 62903
(888) 340-6702
Fax: (618) 549-8137
Child and Family Connections
1757 West 95^th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 233-1799
Fax: (773) 233-2011

The Family Assistance Program (FAP) pays a monthly stipend to families of children who are eligible under state statute 405 ILCS 80, which includes Down syndrome, and live with a parent where the family's yearly taxable income (gross income minus the deductions) is less than $65,000. Families receive $623 per month, up to age 18.

The Home-Based Support Services Program (HBSSP) pays for services to help adults (age 18 or older) become more independent living on their own or with their families.

Family Assistance Program and Home-Based Support Services Program

HBSSP monthly allocation for individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 who are attending special education program: $1,090.
HBSPP monthly allocation for persons age 22 and over: $1,635.
HBSPP monthly allocation for persons who are attending DHS-funded day training: $1,335.

Family Assistance/Home-Based Support

405 William G. Stratton Building

Springfield, IL 62765-0001

(800) 843-6154

Fax: (217) 782-9535

Mark Lynn

Family Support Network of Illinois

The mission of the Family Support Network is to unify individuals with disabilities and their families to advocate for funding, services, and community resources that strengthen and support the individual and the family directly by responding to their individual needs and empowering them to live in their own homes. The Family Support Network further seeks to ensure the continuation of all individual supports throughout the life span of the individual.

5739 West Martindale Lane

Peoria, IL 61615

(309) 693-8981

Fax: (309) 693-8962

E-mail: fsn@FamilySupportNetwork.org

Charlotte Cronin, Executive Director

Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse
Provides library and information services about early childhood and disability, and publishes the quarterly newsletter Early Intervention and Bibliography #14 on Down syndrome. Distributes money provided by the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities to enable people with disabilities and their families to attend conferences of their choice related to disability issues. The limit is $400 per person or $600 per family every two years.

Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse
830 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704
(800) 852-4302 or (217) 785-1364
Fax: (217) 524-5339
E-mail: clearinghouse@springnet1.com

STARnet Region IV
STARnet (Support and Technical Assistance Regionally) serves the southern 38 counties of Illinois and promotes and supports best practices for children birth to eight and their families in early childhood special education program. The Resource Center library, with it's collection of professional/educational resource can be reached at (618) 397-8930, ext. 178, fax: (618) 397-8928 or e-mail: library@stclair.k12.il.us
The STARnet staff is available to provide resources, support, training and consultation to professionals and families of children with special needs. Provides funds of up to $150 per award for professional development and parent education to individuals; minigrants of up to $1,000; family inservice grants of up to $200; early childhood inservice grants of up to $500; and study group grants of up to $400.

STARnet Region IV: 1000 South Illinois Street; Belleville, IL 62220; (618) 825-3966; Fax: (618) 825-3999
Kathy Hollowich: Project Leader/Resource Specialist (618) 825-3970
Melissa Curry: Resource Specialist (618) 825-3971
Denise Henry: Resource Specialist, (618) 833-5371
Cheryl Neville: Administrative Assistant (618) 825-3966
Carol Canavan: Program Assistant (618) 825-3968

Illinois STARnet regions include:

Region I & III. Macomb (309) 298-1634 & 1 (800) 227-7537
Region II. Des Plaines (847) 803-3565
Region V. Chicago (773) 535-8607
Region VI. Oak Forest (708) 342-5370

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all states to provide early intervention and preschool special eduation for children with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

Coordinators of infant and toddler programs serving children from birth to age three are know as Part C programs

IDEA

Janet D. Gully, Bureau Chief: Bureau of Early Intervention; Department of Human Services; 623 East Adams, 2^nd Floor; P.O. Box 19429; Springfield, IL 62794-9429; (217) 782-1981; (800) 323-4769 (in IL only); Fax: (217) 524-6248

Programs for Children with Disabilites: Ages 3 through 5

Kay Henderson, Division Administrator: Center for Educational Innovation and Reform; Division of Early Childhood Education; 100 North First Street, E-230; Springfield, IL 62777-0001; (217) 524-4835

Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICC) include representatives of agencies, service providers, and families. Their role is to advise and provide assistance on early intervention.

Anne Shannon, Chair: PARC; 9999 West Roosevelt Road; Westchester, IL 60154; (708) 547-3597; Fax: (708) 547-4067

P.A.C.E. (Parents' Alliance for Compliance in Special Education)

P.O. Box 834

Mokena, IL 60448

1 (800) 469-2844 or (815) 469-4929

Fax: (815) 469-6807

E-mail: paceparents@hotmail.com

: Brad Bradley; Carol McCullough

P.A.C.E. is an organization of parents of students with special needs. We are committed to:

ensuring compliance in special education programs in the state of Illinois
building a permanent, diverse, democratic parent organization that builds grassroots leadership through direct action community organizing
creating a grassroots special education agenda driven by parents in communities across Illinois and leaders who are capable of holding decision makers accountable for policies that affect our children and our families
creating a coalition of parent organizations throughout Illinois to effect institutional change

Illinois Advocacy Agencies
The individual served, parent or guardian has the right to appeal suspension, termination, or reduction of services.

Protection and Advocacy
103 South Washington, Suite 200
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-3304
Guardianship and Advocacy
Pine Cottage
4500 College Avenue
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 462-4561

Illinois Grievances Reporting
The individual served, parent or guardian has the right to report any infringements, to appeal adverse decisions and the right to agency staff assistance.

Illinois Department of Developmental Disabilities
401 South Spring Street
Stratton Building, Room 419
Springfield, IL 62765
1 (800) 843-6154 or (217) 542-0902

Parent Training & Information Centers (PTICS)
Illinois has three centers that provide information and training on the special education process to parents and professionals throughout the state. Please contact the PTICs for additional information regarding services, workshops and consultation procedures.

Designs for Change

Donald Moore, Executive Director

29 East Madison, Suite 950

Chicago, IL 60602-4809

(312) 236-7252

Fax: (312) 236-7927

TTY: (312) 236-7944

info@designsforchange.org
Family Resource Center on Disabilities
Provides the following services:
- The Family Support Project provides individualized support services for low-income Chicago families.
- The Youth Advocacy Project, prepares Chicago youth for adulthood, using a family-centered approach.
- Conducts free seminars on the special education rights of children with disabilities - at its Chicago Loop office and at locations selected by requesting organizations.
- The Parent-To-Parent Training Project offers opportunities for parent leaders to become effective trainers in their own communities.
Charlotte Des Jardins

20 East Jackson Boulevard, Room 300

Chicago, IL 60604

(800) 952-4199 or (312) 939-3513

TTD: (312) 939-3519

Fax: (312) 939-7297

E-mail: contact@frcd.org or frcdptil@ameritech.net
Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center

2502 South Veterans Drive

Effingham, IL 62401

1 (866) 4FMPTIC [1 (866) 436-7842]

Voice/TTY: (217) 347-5428

Fax: (217) 347-5119

E-mail: info@fmptic.org

Special Education

Illinois State Board of Education

Dr. Christopher A. Koch, Acting Deputy Superintendent (217) 782-5589: Center for Educational Innovation & Reform Program Compliance
Jack Shook, Division Administrator, (217) 782-5589, Fax: (217) 782-0372
Gordon M. Riffel, Special Assistant to the Superintendent Special Education Coordination (217) 782-3371

100 North First Street; Springfield, IL 62777-0001
Division of Early Childhood Education: Pam Reising-Rechner, Principal Consultant; Illinois State Board of Education; 100 North First Street, E-230; Springfield, IL 62777-0001; (217) 524-4835; Fax: (217) 785-7849
Office of State Coordinator of Vocational Education for Students with Disabilities: Sharon Full, Special Populations Coordinator; Illinois State Board of Education; 100 North First Street, C-418; Springfield, IL 62777-0001; (217) 782-3370

Governor

State Public Servants, Departments & CouncilsRod R. Blagojevich

207 State House

Springfield, IL 62706

Voice (217) 782-0244 or 312-814-2121

TTY: (888)261-3336

URL: www.state.il.us/gov/

United State Senators

Honorable Richard J. Durbin (D)

309 Hart Senate Office Bbuilding

Washington, DC 20510-1302

(202) 224-2152

Fax: (202) 228-0400

Honorable Barack Obama (D)

713 Hart Senate Office Bbuilding

Washington, DC 20510

(202) 224-2854

State Mental Health Representative for Children

Leigh Steiner, Ph.D., Associate Director

Office of Mental Health/Department of Human Services

400 Stratton Building

Springfield, IL 62765

(217) 782-7555

State Mental Retardation Program

Melissa Wright, Associate Director

Department of Human Services

100 South Grand Avenue, East, Harris II, 2^nd Floor

Springfield, IL 62762

(217) 524-00260

State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

Sheila Romano, Executive Director: Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities; 830 South Spring Street; Springfield, IL 62704; Voice/TTY: (217) 782-9696; Fax: (217) 524-5339
Jill Garrett, Chair: 100 West Randolph, Suite 10-600; Chicago, IL 60601

Department of Disability and Human Development

College of Health and Human Development Sciences

1640 West Roosevelt Road

Chicago, IL 60608-6904

Illinois Assistive Technology Project: Wilhelmina Gunther, Executive Director; 1 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 100; Springfield, Illinois 62701; Voice/TTY: (800) 852-5110; (217) 522-7985; TTY: (217)-522-9966; Fax: (217) 522-8067
Alliance for Technology Access Centers
The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) began in 1987 as a joint project of a grass-roots organization, the Disabled Children's Computer Group, and Apple Computer™.: Northern Illinois Center for Adaptive Technology; 3615 Louisiana Road; Rockford, IL 61108-6195; (815) 229-2162; Fax: (815) 229-2135; E-mail: ilcat@aol.com
Lekotek
The Lekotek mission is to facilitate the inclusion of children with disabilities and developmental vulnerabilities into the full range of family and community life. Lekotek uses family-centered play as the cornerstone upon which to build inclusive environments. The Easter Seal Society of Southwestern Illinois serves the counties of Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair.: Easter Seal Society of Southwestern Illinois; 602 East Third Street; Alton, IL 62002; (618) 462-7325 [462-SEAL]; Fax: (618) 462-8170; Contact: Susan Gunning; The National Lekotek Center; 2100 Ridge Avenue; Evanston, IL 60202; TTY: (800) 573-4446; Fax: (847) 328-5514; Toy Resource Helpline: 1 (800) 366-PLAY; E-mail: lekotek@lekotek.com
Technical Aids & Assistance for the Disabled Center: 1950 West Roosevelt Road; Chicago, IL 60608; (800) 346-2939; Voice/TTY: (312) 421-3373; Fax: (312) 421-3464; Contact: Jim McPolin/Diedre Pate; E-mail: taad@interaccess.com
Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC)
Infinitec Inc.

Archway, Inc.: P.O. Box 1180; Carbondale, IL 62903; (618) 549-4442, Fax:(618) 549-0231
Developmental Services Center: 1304 West Bradley; Champaign, IL 61821; (217) 359-0287; Fax: (217) 356-9851
Greater Interagency Council Parent to Parent Support Network: 925 West 175^th Street; Homewood, IL 60430; (708) 799-2718; Fax: (708) 799-7974
Next Steps—Parents Reaching Parents: 100 West Randolph, Suite 8-100; Chicago, IL 60601; Voice/TTY: (312) 814-4042; Fax: (312) 814-5849; E-mail: caroldors@aol.com
Parent to Parent Network: 825 18^th Street; P.O. Box 587; Charleston, IL 61920; (217) 348-0127; Fax: (217) 348-0740
Keshet-Jewish Parents of Children with Special Needs: 3210 Dundee; Northbrook, IL 60062; (847) 205-0274; Contact: Dave Gendel

Equip for Equality, Inc.
Established in 1985, the mission of Equip for Equality is to advance the human and civil rights of people with disabilities in Illinois.
Zena Naiditch, CEO & President
Northeastern Region: 11 East Adams, Suite 1200; Chicago, IL 60603; (312) 341-0022 or (800) 537-2632; TTY: (800) 610-2779; Fax: (312) 341-0295; E-mail: contactus@equipforequality.org
Northwestern Region: 1612 Second Avenue; P.O. Box 3753; Rock Island, IL 61204; (309) 786-6868 or (800) 758-6869; Fax: (309) 786-2393
Central/Southern Region: 427 East Monroe; P.O. Box 276; Springfield, IL 62705; (217) 544-0464 or (800) 758-0464; Fax: (217) 523-0720

The Arc of Illinois: Anthony Paulauski, Executive Director; 18207-A Dixie Highway; Homewood, IL 60430; (708) 206-1930; Fax: (708) 206-1171
TASH Illinois: 712 Westfield Drive; St. Charles, IL 60174; (630) 584-0970; Contact: Mark Doyle
Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois
The Coalition is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to providing a united voice for the rights and equality of individuals with disabilities in Illinois.: 300 East Monroe, Suite 100; Springfield, IL 62701; (800) 433-8848 or (217) 522-7016; Fax: (217) 522-7024; E-mail: ccdi@ccdionline.org

Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living

Centers for Independent Living1 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 501

Springfield, IL 62701

(217) 525-1308

Southern Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living

IMPACT Inc. (Serving Madison, Calhoun, Jersey, Greene, Macoupin, and Bond counties)

Cathy Contarino, Executive Director

(618) 462-1411

TTY: (618) 474-5333

Fax: (618) 474-5309

2735 East Broadway

Alton, IL 62002

Pharmaceutical Program for Persons with Limited Income coordinated by Impact, Inc.: Coordinator: Kathy Stiles

Southern Illinois Center for Independent Living

Executive Director: Bonnie Vaughn

100 North Glenview

P.O. Box 627

Carbondale, IL 62903

Voice/TTY: (618) 457-3318

Fax: (618) 549-0132

sicil@intrnet.net

LINC, Inc.

John A. Laker, Executive Director

120 East A Street

Belleville IL 62220

Voice/TTY: (618) 235-9988

TTY: (618) 235-0451

Fax: (618) 233-3729

E-mail: info@lincinc.org

Monroe Randolph Center (Satellite Office)

1514 South Main Street, Suite 4

Red Bud, IL 62278

Voice/TTY: (618) 282-3700

Fax: (618) 282-2740

Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc.: 100 North LaSalle Street, Suite 600; Chicago, IL 60602-2403; (312) 630-9744; TDD: (312) 630-9749; Fax: (312) 630-1127
Council for Disability Rights: Jo Holzer, Executive Director; 205 West Randolph, Suite 1650; Chicago, IL 60606; (312) 444-9484; TTY: (312) 444-1967; E-mail: cdrights@interaccess.com

Illinois Federation of Families (Funded by the Center for Mental Health Services): 800 West Roosevelt Road, Building D-107; Glen Ellyn, IL 60137; (800) 871-8400; Fax: (630) 858-1849; E-mail: ilfed@flashnet.com
Family Voices of Illinois
Family Voices is a national grass roots clearing-house for information and education about ways to assure and improve healthcare for children with disabilities and chronic conditions. Families with children with special health care needs in Illinois can now call a toll free bilingual (English and Spanish) hotline to get information about services. 700 families are members of Family Voices, and more than 1500 families received newsletters with Family Voices information included during the past year.: 8331 Kimball Avenue; Skokie, IL 60076-2926; (888) 950-8683 and (773) 274-8683; Fax: (773) 274-8685; Contact: Faye Manaster Eldar; E-mail: familyvoicesillinois@yahoo.com
Family Matters: 2502 Veterans; Effingham, IL 62401; (217) 347-347-4570; Fax: (217) 347-5119; Contact: Deb Einhorn
Friends of Handicapped Children: 1001 Glendale; St. Bensenville, IL 60106; (630) 595-3208; Contact: Oronzo Peconio

Programs for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Division of Specialized Care for Children

Established in 1937, and administered by the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is the Title V agency for Illinois which provides care coordination for families and children with special health care needs. DSCC, governed by Administrative Rules, helps children with disabilities, and those who have conditions which may lead to disabilities, grow and develop to the full extent of their abilities. Services are coordinated by a network of professional staff located in 13 regional offices throughout the state. Over 20,000 families in all 102 counties in the State of Illinois annually receive services from DSCC.

Other Resources

Charles N. Onufer, M.D., Director: University of Illinois at Chicago; P.O. Box 19481; 2815 West Washington, Suite 300; Springfield, IL 62794-9481; (217) 793-2340

Women, Infants & Children (W.I.C.)

W.I.C. is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children that provides nutrition education, health assessments, breastfeeding support and free food to help mothers, infants and children get the nutrition they need for proper growth and development. To be eligible 3 factors must be met:

Category - If you are:
- A pregnant woman
- Breastfeeding (up to 1 year after giving birth)
- A new mothter (up to 6 months after giving birth) or
- A parent, guardian or caretaker who has an infant or child younger that 5 years of age

Income - If your annual household income is within the following guidelines:

W.I.C. Income Guidelines
Family Size	Annual	Monthly	Weekly
1	$15,892	$1,325	$306
2	$21,479	$1,790	$414
3	$27,066	$2,256	$521
4	$32,653	$2,722	$628
5	$38,240	$3,187	$736
6	$43,827	$3,653	$843
7	$49,414	$4,118	$951

When you are screened by the W.I.C. clinic and found to have a medical or diet health risk like low iron, low weight gain or need to improve your diet.

Healthy Moms/Healthy Kids and W.I.C. locations:

Coordinated Youth & Human Services: 2016 Madison Avenue; Granite City, IL 62040; Toll free: 1 (877) 842-5028; (618) 877-4333
Madision County Health Department Building: 2119 Troy Road; Edwardsville, IL 62025; Toll free: (877) 842-6078; (618) 692-8380
Alton Plaza: 1842 East Broadway; Alton, IL 62002; Toll free: (877) 842-9292; (618) 462-8155

Project Choices (Children Have Opportunities in Inclusive Community Environments and Schools)
Project CHOICES provides free on-site technical assistance to school districts to assist them in providing education for children with disabilities ages 3-21 in preschool settings and general education classrooms and is funded by a grant form the Illinois State Board of Education.: 6S331 Cornwall Road; Naperville, IL 60540; (630) 778-4508; Fax: (630) 778-1791; E-Mail: ECHOICES@aol.com
Childcare Resource & Referral: 207 West Jefferson, Suite 301; Bloomington, IL 61701; (309) 828-1892; Fax: (309) 828-0526; Contact: Pam Zook
Disability Research Network (DRN)
DRN (previously ABLEDATA) is an information and referral service for disability related topics and funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and is located at the Springfield Center for Independent Living (SCIL).: 426 West Jefferson; Springfield, IL 62702; 1 (800) 447-4221 or (217) 523-2587; Fax: (217) 523-0427
Challenge Unlimited, Inc.
Member of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. Provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities which assist them to live, work and participate in the community.: #4 Emmie L. Klaus Lane; Alton, IL 62002; (618) 465-0044; Fax: (618) 465-0056
SSI Coalition: Voice/TTY: (800) 427-0766 or (312) 223-9600
Special Olympics of Illinois