Early Intervention

Child & Family Connections #15

January 2024 Family Newsletter

Will/Grundy/Kankakee/LaSalle Counties

We hope you are having a great start to 2024!

Attention Early Intervention families: You are invited to a Focus Group on Family Experience in the Early Intervention System! The Illinois Department of Human Services, in collaboration with Afton Partners and with support from Birth to Five Illinois, Raising Illinois, and Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI), are conducting a series of virtual focus groups to understand the family experience in Early Intervention across different regions and communities throughout the state. If you have a child who is currently in Early Intervention, has been in Early Intervention in the past 1-2 years, or are currently waiting to be connected to the Early Intervention system, you are invited to participate in a focus group between January 23 through February 3, 2024, to share your successes and challenges with receiving Early Intervention services. As a token of appreciation, families who participate will receive a $25 virtual gift card. Click here to register!

Automated close captioning will be available during focus groups. Spanish facilitation and American Sign Language (ASL) can be made upon request. If you cannot attend any of the focus group dates provided or prefer to participate via email, please let us know in the registration form. If you have any questions, contact Kristen Garcia kristen.garcia@aftonpartners.com. 

The STAR NET Region VI Early Childhood Today FREE Conference in collaboration with the Early Intervention Training Program and Lewis University is now open for registration! This conference is for professionals in Early Childhood and parents of young children. Please click here for the conference schedule, session information, and to register for the conference.

After registering, you will receive an email confirmation along with a link to purchase lunch. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch.

**StarNet offers family fellowships for families with children age 2-6 in Early Intervention or early childhood special education to attend in-state workshops or conferences.**

FREE Children's Coat Giveaway at Will County Center for Community Concerns (WCCCC) "Share the Love" event on Wednesday February 7th, 5-7pm at the WCCCC office at 2455 Glenwood Ave in Joliet. Call (815) 722-0722 ext. 2227, 2202, or 2209 to sign up. Children must be present on the 7th for pick up.

See their facebook page for more information.

For family events in the Chicagoland area go to ChicagoParent.com and view the January/February 2024 Issue of Chicago Parent Magazine.

Fun and educational places for families:

DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville. The museum offers Access membership for a reduced fee to all families in Early Intervention ($25 for a family membership!!) See the website for details or ask at the museum.

Kidswork Children's Museum in Frankfort.

Discovery Center Museum in Rockford

Chicago Children's Museum

Field Museum

The Museum of Science and Industry

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The Art Institute

Lincoln Park Zoo

Brookfield Zoo

Cosley Zoo in Wheaton

Sky Zone in Joliet is open and has a Little Leapers program for kids age 7 and under See their calendar for details.

Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park both located in LaSalle County are great places to get outside and enjoy nature!

Navarro Farm in Frankfort is a 5-acre farm created to be a place for individuals with special needs to participate in an agricultural experience. Check out their upcoming events

Theatres with Sensory Friendly Movie Times

AMC Theatres in New Lenox, Naperville, Lombard and Morris

Marcus Theatres in Orland Park and Chicago Heights

NGC Cinema in Yorkville

Emagine in Frankfort

Eagle Theatre in Streator

Special Recreation Associations host virtual and in-person events for kids of all ages:

• River Valley Special Rec Association in Bradley
• Lincolnway Special Rec Association in New Lenox
• Check out their Fall 2023 Program Guide.
• Families can reserve time in the Nest Sensory Room
• Northern Will County Special Rec Association (NWCSRA) in Romeoville.
• Check out their Winter/Spring 2024 Guide
• Their sensory room is available to reserve for individual use located at 10 Montrose in Romeoville. Email Gina Petkus for info.
• SRJC - Special Recreation of Joliet and Channahon
• The NorthWest Special Recreation Association in Rolling Meadows hosts online sibshops for siblings, who are ages 8-12 year old, of children with disabilities to meet other siblings for peer support and fun! Contact ljevaney@nwsra.org for more information.

Strides Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program in Manhattan offers riding lessons for all ages.

Morgans Wonderland located in San Antonio, Texas is the only Ultra Accessible theme park designed with individuals with special needs in mind. Children 2 & under and guests with special needs are free. Their Project Angel Fare program was created to help financially support families to attend, they also have a facebook page.

Many families in EI have had great experiences learning ways to help their child through LVV. Here is what one parent shared about their experiences with LVV - Virtual therapy sessions "were convenient and fit into my busy schedule. I thought my virtual therapy sessions helped me put into practice the skills and concepts that benefitted my son."

To learn more watch this short video of a parent sharing their experience with Video Visits in EI.

If you don't have a device to use or if your internet is spotty or slow, you can borrow an Ipad with a hotspot from the EI Clearinghouse for FREE while your child is in EI! Click here to complete the device loan request. To learn more read the Technology Loan Program FAQ.

Parent/Family Support Programs:

Click here for information on the FREE DSCC Institute for Parents of Preschool Children who are Deaf for Hard of Hearing to be held June 13-16th in Jacksonville IL.

Thriveworks and the City of Joliet are working together to support the mental health of all Joliet residents by providing No Cost Mental health counseling and Psychiatric services. Call 815-511-0149 to set up an in person or virtual appointment or click here for info.

Northwestern University Reduce the Wait Project, Autism Evaluations for children enrolled in Early Intervention. To learn more see their program flyer or text ENROLL to 847-750-3440.

Postpartum Support International - 1-800-944-4773. Call or text. Text en Español: 971-203-7773. A non-emergency helpline to assist with support and resources.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – call or text 1-833-TLC - MAMA (1-833-852-6262) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for pregnant and new moms in English & Spanish.

Beyond the Baby Blues is hosting a 6 week therapeutic virtual support group for women who are experiencing anxiety or depression during pregnancy or after giving birth. For more information see their flyer.

2-1-1 is a 24/7 crisis resource line that families can call to get connected to local support services and crisis intervention resources in their area.

9-8-8 is a mental health and suicide/crisis hotline that is free, confidential and available 24/7 to anyone experiencing mental health related distress.

U of I Extension is offering a free online webinar series for parents on health and nutrition topics. Click the link for more information or to register.

Special Needs Mom Squad is an organization in Lombard that offers resources and supports for families with Special Needs.

Shorewood Hugs is a local organization that helps families by granting 'wishes' to families in the community.

Diaper Depot is a program of United Way of Will County. Families in need can pick up FREE pre-packaged diaper packets once a month from one of three locations in Will County. Click the link for more information.

Text for baby is an app that helps you track your babies, health, growth, & development from birth through the first year.

The IL Cares for Kids website was created to support all IL families with children from birth through school age. On this site you can search for preschool programs in your area.

Aunt Martha's Healthy Families Program in Cook, Will, & Kankakee Counties has a home visiting Program to support new and expectant parents. Click the link for more information.

Catholic Charities in Joliet has several great programs to support families. See below or go to their facebook page.

• Head Start & Early Headstart
• Doula Program for birthing support
• Expectant Mother's Initiative

The Jump Start homevisiting Parental Training Program is a parenting enrichment program offered in Will, Grundy, Kankakee and LaSalle counties. It is a free program that offers parent education and family support services throughout pregnancy until your child is 3 years old. In Will and Grundy Counties contact 815-725-2194 and ask to speak to someone in the Jump Start Program, or in Kankakee County call Tyler at 815-600-9744. Families can also enroll online. For more information on this great program check out their facebook page. See their program flyer here.

Easterseals in Joliet has many support services for families such as:

• Parent's Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Group that meets via Zoom, email erojas@joliet.easterseals.com for the ZOOM link invitation. They also offer a support group for Spanish speaking parents. Please email Alicia Hann at alicia.hann@joliet.easterseals.com for the link to join the zoom meeting.
• Free children's mental health screenings by Easterseals Joliet for children age 1-17 years. Contact Michele Poskanka at 815-927-5482 or mposkanka@joliet.easterseals.com.

Free ACES Parenting class held at We Care in Morris. This 5 week program runs periodically throughout the year and usually meets from 5-7pm, with meals and childcare provided. If your child has experienced trauma or if trauma is impacting your ability to parent call 815-942-6389 for more information on this program.

Erikson Center for Children and families is offering in-person and virtual mental health services to parents, caregivers, and children focusing on prenatal to 8 years old. Services available in English and Spanish. For more information contact their intake line at 312-709-0508 for English and 312-934-6446 for Spanish.

SIBS - Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters is an organization supporting siblings of a person with a disability. Learn more about sibshops for young siblings.

The Arc of Illinois offers resources and information, supports families in their individual advocacy efforts and trains and educates people with disabilities, families and professionals.

Family Resource Center on Disabilities is Chicago’s Metropolitan Area Parent Training and Information Center and supports families in 8 IL counties including Will & Grundy Counties. Call 312-939-3513, email: info@frcd.org, or go to the FRCD facebook page

Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center supports families in 94 IL counties including LaSalle and Kankakee Counties to provide information, referral, linkages, and training to parents, students with disabilities, and special education professionals. They can be contacted toll-Free: 1-866-4FMPTIC (1-866-436-7842), or FMPTIC facebook page.

IL ABLE “Achieving a Better Life Experience” Accounts give people with disabilities and their families greater financial independence while preserving benefits. Click the link to learn more.

Service Inc of Illinois supports families and individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities or delays in more than 20 different counties in Northern Illinois. Services provided include service coordination and advocacy services, which are free of charge.

The Illinois Respite Coalition has a Free statewide respite hotline. If you are in need of respite services to support you with the care of your child with special needs please call 866-455-7377.

Will County Center for Community Concerns in Joliet has many supports for low income families. See below for information on some of their programs or call 815-722-0722:

• LIHEAP - utility assistance
• Tax Preparation
• Case Management services
• Scholarship Program for low income students

Free Covid tests are available, Every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-⁠19 rapid tests delivered to your home. Need help placing and order - call 1-800-232-0233

To view additional informational online resources for families related to Early Intervention and Child Development please click here.

Do you understand the Transition process out of Early Intervention when your child turns 3? Here are a few resources to help you during this time.

• Transition: Understanding Family Rights from the EI Clearinghouse
• "When I'm 3, Where will I be" Transition workbook for families from IL State Board of Education.
• The Parent Guide - Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois from the Illinois State Board of Education

If you have any questions about your child's transition out of the Early Intervention Program, please reach out to your service coordinator.

Medicaid pays for healthcare, like doctor visits, prescription medicine, and urgent emergency services. Illinois is starting renewals again and everybody's renewal date is different. 

Don't risk losing your Medicaid! Here is what you need to do:

Click Manage My Case at abe.illinois.gov to:

1. Verify your mailing address under "Contact Us."
2. Find your due date (the "redetermination" date) in your "Benefit Details." Watch your mail and complete your renewal right away. Call 1-800-843-6154 for help with your renewal. 

If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, connect to coverage at work or through the official Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace for Illinois GetCoveredIllinois.gov. 

My Pantry Express is an online food pantry that gives those in need of food assistance, the opportunity to shop once a week for a variety of free grocery items. Items can be picked up from multiple locations in Will County. Please click the link for details.

No income or residency restrictions apply.

Find Food IL Community Food map allows you to search by zip code for food pantries, School meal sites, grocery stores, and SNAP & WIC offices.

The Salvation Army in Kankakee has a walk through family-choice food pantry open Tuesdays from 10:00am-12pm-1:00-3:00pm. 148 Harrison Ave in Kankakee.

To get information or help with your SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) application click the link or call 844-600-SNAP.