Email Name: Copy of The Arc of Illinois Update 081324
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Hello Fellow Advocates,
As we approach the two-month mark in my role, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey as an organization and mission. The theme of "growing connections" has been at the forefront of our efforts, and I am proud to announce that we have successfully achieved all the goals set for my first 100 days!
This accomplishment would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our exceptional Board of Directors at The Arc of Illinois, as well as the incredible organizations we collaborate with to further our mission. Together, we are dedicated to fostering positive and fulfilling lives for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, both within our state and beyond!
Image L-R: Samantha Alloway and Becca Schroeder, Director of Development at The Arc of Illinois
I have been making the "lunch tour" with my incredible Directors, which further solidified our commitment to teamwork and collaboration. This team is truly unbelievable. Their dedication, heart, and power brings hope to so many families and individuals throughout the state, and I could NOT be prouder to work with them!
Image L-R: Samantha Alloway and Laura Anderson, They Deserve More!
Image L-R: Leanne Mull, Kim Zoeller, and Kimberly Johnson, The Board of Directors at The Arc of Illinois with Samantha Alloway
As we gear up for the upcoming legislative session, we are diligently working on our initiatives. Our goal is to promote person-centered care and create a community that embraces diversity and inclusion wholeheartedly. While we acknowledge that there is much work ahead, I am confident in our progress and optimistic about the bright future that lies ahead.
As always, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me at Samantha@thearcofil.org and share a story, idea, or issue. Let’s keep the momentum going as we continue to advance our mission together.
Truly, Samantha Alloway , Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois
Congratulations, Kimberly Johnson, the Board President at The Arc of Illinois!
Kim received the Distinguished Contribution to Childhood Advocacy Award at the 2024 American Psychology Association (APA) Convention in Seattle.
Kim presented a session during the Convention titled The Dignity of Risk vs. The Duty of Care in Advocacy. She has been asked to present again next year!
Image: Benjamin Rubin, Attorney at Rubin Law, A Professional Corporation
Congratulations to Benjamin Rubin, past board member at The Arc of Illinois!
You have been selected to the 2025 Illinois Rising Stars list, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice.
Only 2.5% of attorneys in Illinois receive this distinction. Selection to the Rising Stars list provides third-party validation of your practice, grows your attorney referral network and influences consumer hiring decisions.
Congratulations, Susan Agrawal, Director of Family to Family Health Information Center at The Arc of Illinois!
The Kimball & Karen Anderson Community Award is named after local philanthropists, leaders in law, and steadfast supporters of Legal Council. This award uplifts community partners for their exceptional efforts in removing barriers to health for low-income individuals and vulnerable populations.
Susan founded MFTD Waiver Families, a support and technical assistance group for families and children on the Waiver. Building on her personal experience with the system, she assisted families in accessing resources and provided exceptional support, education, and wisdom as they navigated the MFTD Waiver program. She has also tirelessly and thoughtfully fought for policy change to improve the lives of thousands of Illinois children with complex medical needs
Recently Received an Early Notification Letter or a PUNS Selection Letter?
Join the Know Your Options
Virtual Monthly Webinar
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Learn about your options under the Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Illinois.
We will discuss service and support options, explore the role of your ISC, review the key steps you need to take to prepare for supports, and talk through common concerns and barriers.
Webinar is free; registration is required.
The next webinar will be on Thursday, September 5th, 2024 at 12:00-1:00 pm.
Going Home Coalition’s recent meeting welcomed Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Director, Kim Mercer-Schleider; Kreider Services Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Stauter; Arc of Illinois Director at Large Board Member, Vincent Smith; and Arc of Illinois 2024 Self-Advocate Award Winner and Larry Biondi Fellowship Grantee, Curtis Harris. Participants heard how Illinois is strengthening community systems and accessing affordable housing through an update on The State Referral Network. Also, Kreider Services spoke about their process of creating an affordable permanent supportive housing development. Vincent and Curtis spoke about their journey in attaining housing forthemselves as self-advocates. Time flew by, and we’re looking forward to future conversations with Vincent, Curtis, and other self-advocates living in permanent supported housing.
Come Join Us!
To join Going Home Coalition, please reach out to admin@thearcofil.orgfor a membership form and access to meeting notes and recordings. Meetings now have ASL/CART and Spanish captioning available.
As part of Going Home Coalition’s work with Grassroots Project funding, video interviews are underway for our Voices of Advocacy, Voices of Change video series. Thank you to our video participants and videography team Going
Home Coalition participants and Inclusion Advocates for Butterflies for Change, Bridget Brown and Nancy Brown; Family Transition Project Director, Greg Walkington;and videographer Ryan O’Connell. If you would like to participate in a future iteration of the project, please contact admin@thearcofil.org.
Be on the lookout for upcoming Going Home Coalition meetings!Later this month, we’ll be having a town hall style meeting reviewing what Going Home Coalition has accomplished over the last year and discuss the year ahead. We are tremendously grateful to The Coleman Foundation and The Grassroots Project for their thoughtful funding. It has allowed Going Home Coalition to grow, develop, strengthen, focus, and advocate on the important issues which support systems change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Thank you for your passion, participation, and powerful contributions as Going Home Coalition members.
Your Advocacy Matters!
Congratulations!
Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) Celebrates Their 50th Anniversary!
Image Description: Group of 9 smiling people standing in front of brick wall
The Arc of Illinois was on hand for the celebration! ICDD has been a longstanding current and past partner of The Arc of Illinois on The Speak Up and Speak Out Summit (SUSO), The Arc of Illinois Consumer Stipend Program, and Going Home Coalition.
Want to know more about the importance of DD Councils and The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities?
Carole continues her 100 Day Vote Shirt Challenge!
Image Description: Graphic of Day 86 of the 100 Day Vote Shirt Countdown.
There is an image of a woman wearing a Vote shirt standing next to a seated man wearing a baseball cap.
REV UP Illinois and Going Home Coalition Participant, Erin Compton, has also taken up the Vote Shirt Challenge
Image Description: Young Woman with long brown hair wearing a Vote! Shirt standing by a cow carved from butter.
Image Description: Young Woman with long brown hair wearing a Vote! Shirt standing by an IASSIDD sign in the background.
Erin is shown beside the famous Butter Cow at The Illinois State Fair! She also wore her Vote shirt to the IASSIDD World Conference where she presented a poster on the Accessibility of Wellness as part of her ongoing project as a SARTAC Fellow.
Congratulations Erin!
Congratulations to Progress Center’s Advocacy Manager, Nafia Khan, and Community Organizer, Clark Craig for a successful REV UP Illinois event!
Image Description: 4 people around a table holding fans saying Powering the Disability Vote.Front: Clark Craig, Back: Jae Jin Pak, Nafia Khan, Carole Rosen
It’s wonderful to see Going Home Coalition members take up the torch on the importance of the disability vote!
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