Early Intervention

Child & Family Connections #15

September 2023 Family Newsletter

Will/Grundy/Kankakee/LaSalle Counties

September 23rd is the first day of Fall!

There are many fun activities to do with little ones in the Fall! See our Fun Family Activities Section below to find a Fall fest near you!

One fun way to spend time as a family this Fall is to go apple picking, and September is the best time to pick apples! We've found several links to local apple orchards and places to pick apples all across Illinois. You can even invite Grandma and Grandpa to join you for Grandparents day on September 10th, or invite any special family member or friend.

Where to go apple picking near you:

Apple Orchards in IL from the U of I Extension

9 Best Apple Picking Spots in IL from bestthingsil.com

10 Charming Apple Orchards in IL from onlyinyourstate.com

Best Apple picking orchards for picking with kids from mommypoppins.com

Apple picking spots all across the state from enjoyillinois.com

Apple picking near Chicago and in northern IL from mykidlist.com

Where to go apple picking near Chicago - Chicagoparent.com

Boggios U-pick Apples in Granville IL

So your little one knows what to expect on your apple picking adventure, before you go stop by your local library and read some books about apples and apple picking. Toddlers and preschoolers like to know what is coming next and what to expect during new experiences. This can also help with avoiding tantrums and anxiety about new experiences. If you are interested in learning ways to encourage your child's positive behavior, check out this article on Positive Parenting and Practical Strategies for Nurturing Positive Child Behavior from the Child Development Institute.

We've also included an article from rhythmsofplay.com for fun activities to try while apple picking, and recipes to make with all your delicious apples!

Or you can skip the apple picking, and instead visit these apple orchards to enjoy some apple cider and apple cider donuts.

In this newsletter you will find information on fun activities and support resources for all families, as well as information on some September awareness days and holidays.



September is....

Childhood Cancer Awareness month Please check out the organization Be The Match to learn about stem cell and bone marrow donation and how to donate!

World Marrow Donor Day is Sept 16th

National Diaper Need Awareness week is Sept 18 -24.

Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Hispanic Heritage Month September 15- October 15

Deaf Awareness Month

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Self Care Awareness Month - Action for Happiness Self-Care September Calendar

Grandparents Day is September 10th

Patriot Day is September 11th

The Autumn Equinox/the First day of Fall is September 23rd

Rosh Hashanah begins on September 15th

If you know someone who is concerned about their child's development please, give them the number for the Child and Family Connections 15 Referral Coordinator, (815) 768-3730.

-The staff at CFC 15

The Director of the Bureau of Early Intervention, Benjamin Delgado, wants to hear from you! The Bureau is hosting virtual town halls with families of children in early intervention. During this time, you can share your experiences, ask questions, and voice your suggestions on ways to improve early intervention. The next townhall meeting is:

• Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm



Click here to Register online for one of the town hall meetings, or contact Alejandra Griffet, at agriffet@illinois.edu or by calling 217-333-5841.

For family events in the Chicagoland area go to ChicagoParent.com and view the September/October 2023 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!! Reduced from $135) 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 masks are recommended.

The Museum of Science and Industry masks required in certain areas

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum masks recommended, not required.

The Art Institute is open with advanced ticket purchase.

Lincoln Park Zoo has a Fall Fest Fridays-Sundays Sept 29-Oct 29

Brookfield Zoo has Boo at the Zoo, Weekends in October

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 Fall 2023 brochure
• 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. They also have weekly petting zoo dates all month long! Learn more on their facebook page.

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.

Parent/Family Support Programs:

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.

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

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

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.

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.

• Jumpstart is offering free Developmental Screenings at the Joliet Easterseals office the next date is September 27th 9:30-11am.

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

• Parent's Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Group or other Social Interaction/Communication Disorder that meets via Zoom. They also offer a support group for Spanish speaking parents of a child with a disability or with an IEP. 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.

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 to those that we serve.

The Illinois Respite Coalition has a Free statewide respite hotline. If you are in need of respite services 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

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.