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The Arc of Illinois offices are closed beginning Christmas Day and will reopen on January 2, 2024. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season! We are grateful for your continued support!
Update on the CILA Rate Calculator
For nearly a year, we have been reporting on the implementation of the Guidehouse study recommendations related to the Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) rate calculator. In the previous newsletter, I outlined the three scenarios that are under consideration by the Division of Developmental Disabilities; all of them will result in massive service hour reductions across the IDD system up to 2.5 million direct support professional hours annually. For some, this may mean the loss of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) from each CILA. For those on the waiting list, it may mean longer wait times to access much needed supports. For those living in a State Operated Developmental Center, it may mean a longer wait to transition into the community.
The General Assembly invested $71.6M in FY24 for wage increases of $2.50/hour for DSPs, but the proposed cuts would remove $86M from the system resulting in a loss of over $14M. This is not the time to cut services.
While we are grateful that the Division has paused implementation until March 31, 2024, the proposed cuts are not acceptable. What we need is MORE investment in community-based services to ensure that ALL Illinoisians with IDD receive the necessary supports and services to live their best life. Call your State Representative and Senator and ask them 1) why cuts are on the table when there is such need in the IDD community and 2) what they will do to fix it?
Congratulations Mary Dixon, JD!
It is with mixed emotions that we say farewell to the Director of the Family to Family Health Information Center, Mary Dixon, JD, who is retiring at the end of the month. While we are excited for Mary’s next chapter, we will miss her cheery disposition, willingness to collaborate, and ability to dig into complex issues. We are grateful to Mary for her 5 ½ years of service at The Arc of IL supporting people with disabilities and their families and wish her all the best in retirement!
Image description: Twelve smiling people, some standing and some seated. Standing in back (L-R): Shirley Perez, Victoria Conner, Ruth Aguilar, Rocio Perez, Amie Lulinski, Greg Walkington, Becca Schroeder. Seated in front (L-R): Karin Mentzer, Carole Rosen, Suzanne Aaron, Mary Dixon, and Phil Milsk.
Welcome Elian Sorensen!
The Arc of Illinois is pleased to announce that Elian Sorensen has joined our team as Coordinator for the Going Home Coalition, thanks to funding from The Coleman Foundation!
Elian is the Going Home Coalition Coordinator at The Arc of Illinois and continues to work part-time as a research associate for World Enabled/The Pineda Foundation, a disability consulting non-profit working to promote accessible and inclusive urban design.
Image description: Person smiling wearing white shirt and trees in the background.
Elian recently graduated summa cum laude from Hamilton College with a BA in Public Policy, where he completed his senior thesis on the potential for disability theory to inform elder advocacy efforts and improve long-term care services for older adults. While at Hamilton, Elian founded the college's first Disabled Students' Network and served as the organization's president for two years, where he worked to develop a peer mentoring program for students with academic accommodations, promote accessibility improvements on campus, and build community for other disabled students. Most recently, Elian participated in the American Association of People with Disabilities internship program where he interned at the Administration for Community Living Office of Policy Analysis and Development. Elian also serves as the Student Chair for the American Public Health Association Disability Section Mentoring Program, where he helps connect students and early career professionals with disabilities with established mentors in the fields of disability and public health.
Final Individual and Family Forum Held
Image description: Three people standing in front of a holiday backdrop smiling. (L-R) Jose Ovalle, Matie Ovalle, and Amie Lulinski.
This past weekend, I attended La Fiesta Familiar hosted by our organizational affiliate Grupo SALTO. While there, I had the opportunity to see Mexican folk dancing and musical performances by members and volunteers. Most importantly, I was able to connect with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and share information about the programs of The Arc of Illinois as well as to hear concerns, suggestions, and barriers to services first-hand to inform our 2024 legislative priorities. This concludes the Individual and Family Forum Series for 2023, but we are planning to do more in 2024!
From left to right are Maurice Dorris (IDPH), Greg Walkington (The Arc of Illinois), Carole Rosen (The Arc of Illinois/REV UP), Stephany Hoehner (IDPH), Kimberly Jones-Oparah (IDPH) and Melissa Reynolds (IDPH).
On December 9, 2023, the REV UP Project Director, Carole Rosen and the Director of the Family Transition Project, Greg Walkington participated in the Provider Expo at Choate Developmental Center in Anna Illinois. The purpose of the Expo was to bring together Community Providers, local Independent Service Coordinators and other organizations together to provide information to the residents, families and guardians about community living.
The Arc of Illinois Virtual Events
ILS/F2FHIC Webinar Series
Erin's Law | January 9, 2024| 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Register
Registration Now Open for the 22nd Annual QIDP Leadership Conference!
January 23, 2024 | 9am - 4pm
Join us for the virtual QIDP Leadership Conference over Zoom webinar. There will be more information to come in the next week about our speakers.
A few of our speakers include “Dignity of Risk” with CQL, “Explore Short Term Stabilization” with Kim Shontz and Amie Burke from ICPN (Illinois Crisis and Prevention Network), and “Effective Strategies for LGBTQIA+ Self-Advocates” with Lydia Dolch from Open the Lid.
The Arc of Illinois has started planning for the 2024 Annual Convention to be held May 1 - 2, 2024. The Convention will be a hybrid event; some attendees in-person at the Marriott in Bloomington-Normal, and other attendees online.
This year’s theme is “Advocacy for All”. We are looking forward to providing attendees with the latest information on many issues, including early childhood, transition from high school, employment, housing, and improving quality of life.
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