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Action Alert: Oppose $87.7 Million Cuts to DSP Services in Illinois
There is a critical issue that may have a significant negative affect on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS-DDD) has proposed significant cuts to the funding and service hours provided by Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in group homes, impacting nearly 10% of the DSP workforce statewide. This proposed reduction in services is scheduled to be implemented on March 31, 2024, and could have severe consequences for those who depend on DSPs for essential support due to this $87.7M impact to the system.
Recently, a letter to the editor was published in the Daily Herald, which highlights the impact of these proposed cuts on individuals with IDD, such as David, who lives in a group home in Elgin.
I urge you to contact your state legislators. It is crucial that we express our concerns and ask them to intervene to prevent these cuts from being included in the FY25 budget. Click on the button below and send a message to the Governor’s Office, as well as your own State Senator and State Representative. You will find a template message but please consider personalizing it by sharing a bit about your connection to the issue.
The Arc of Illinois is delighted to announce that Search, Inc. and Glenkirk are the newest affiliated member organization! Together we are stronger! Interested in learning more about organizational affiliation or chapter membership? Email Amie@thearcofil.org for more information!
Welcome Susan Agrawal, PhD to The Arc of Illinois Team!
Image description: A woman with chin length brown hair, glasses, and a purple button-down shirt stands against a natural landscape smiling.
We are delighted to announce that Susan Agrawal, PhD, has joined The Arc of Illinois team as Director of the Family to Family HealthInformation Center. Susan is a parent, advocate, and writer who began serving as the Director of the Family-to-Family Health (F2F) Information Center in 2024, assisting families of children and young adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs to navigate the health care and disability systems in Illinois. She has lived experience through her daughter Karuna, who had multiple disabilities and complex health issues throughout her eleven years of life. Susan is the founder of MFTD Waiver Families and spent more than a decade advocating for children in the Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Waiver. In addition, she is an independent researcher on children’s Medicaid waivers and programs, including the website Kids' Waivers. In the past, she has also contributed content to a wide range of disability organizations, including Complex Child Magazine and Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation. She holds a PhD from Northwestern University, where she used to serve as a Lecturer in Music Studies before switching her focus to advocacy.
Happy first day of the Spring Legislative Session! The Illinois Senate and House convene today for the first time this year. We look forward to a productive year. Stay tuned for updates this Spring, as we will reach out with actionable items and ways you can get involved! Here’s to a great final year of the 103rd Illinois General Assembly.
Illinois Life Span (ILS) & Family to Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC)
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 74th Annual Convention will be presented in a hybrid format!
May 1-2, 2024
Registration and Brochure Coming Soon!
In-Person: The Convention will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Bloomington-Normal, IL. As an in-person attendee, you’ll be able to hear from speakers in person, visit with our sponsors and exhibitors, view the silent auction items and art exhibit, and meet your fellow attendees. You have the option to attend the breakout session of your choice.
Virtual: Some of the Convention will be presented using Zoom Webinar. As a virtual attendee, you’ll be able to join the live stream of the keynote and plenary presentations, and choose from two breakout sessions to join.
A track of breakout sessions will be presented in Spanish.
The Arc of Illinois 9980 190th St, Suite C, | Mokena, Illinois 60448 815.464.1832 | info@thearcofil.org
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