[il-talk] Fw: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update

sharon howerton shrnhow at att.net
Fri May 1 20:51:36 UTC 2009 

I thank you for that. People in general send things a lot and don't do that; 
it is a huge deterrant to read the message for me.
Sharon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Gardner" <rgardner4 at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Illinois Mailing List" <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 3:30 PM
Subject: Re: [il-talk] Fw: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update


> Whoops!  That's a valid point, and think I remembered to do that the last 
> time I sent out one of these.  Unfortunately, I forgot this time.  I will 
> try to remember from now on.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "sharon howerton" <shrnhow at att.net>
> To: "NFB of Illinois Mailing List" <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 1:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [il-talk] Fw: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update
>
>
>> Bob, your information always looks valuable, but if you could remove all 
>> the names, it would be readable. It looks like you have the entire ORS 
>> staff on there! I like to read this but don't have time to wade through 
>> all those names.
>> Sharon
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Robert Gardner" <rgardner4 at gmail.com>
>> To: "il-talk" <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 12:43 PM
>> Subject: [il-talk] Fw: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update
>>
>>
>>> FYI
>>>
>>> Bob Gardner, SRC member
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Lori Zenner" <Lori.Zenner at illinois.gov>
>>> To: <STriano at accessliving.org>; "Richard Starnes" 
>>> <starnes at accessus.net>;
>>> <ciledqcy at adams.net>; "Melody Reynolds" 
>>> <mreynolds at advocatesforaccess.com>;
>>> "William Reif BSPC" <billreif at ameritech.net>; "Helene Levine"
>>> <HLevine at anixter.org>; "Henrietta Battle" <Hbsankagirl at aol.com>; "Laura
>>> Thomas (Helen Keller Natl Cntr)" <HKNC5LJT at aol.com>; "Lois Montgomery 
>>> NFB"
>>> <Lmm3527 at aol.com>; "Mary Rogers SRC" <makandamary at aol.com>; "Marco 
>>> Lenis"
>>> <matulenis at aol.com>; "Mary Ellen Kilpatrick" <MEK1452 at aol.com>;
>>> <ndycoleman at aol.com>; "Sandy Martin" <sandym1234 at aol.com>; "Todd 
>>> Kowalke"
>>> <kowalket at arcric.org>; <susan.dalton at att.net>; "Philicia Deckard BSCIAC"
>>> <pldeckard at biail.org>; "Rick Cavalier STEP" <rcavalier at bths201.org>;
>>> <ccdi at ccdionline.org>; "Jan Wetmore" <janwetmore at charter.net>; "Susan 
>>> Walter
>>> SRC" <smwalter at charter.net>; "Greg Polman" <greg at chicagolighthouse.org>;
>>> "Greg Polman SRC" <Greg.Polman at chicagolighthouse.org>; "Janet Szlyk CLB"
>>> <janet.szlyk at chicagolighthouse.org>; <gdillardvdc at comcast.net>;
>>> <vandykecommunicationsllc at comcast.net>; "John Gapsis SILC"
>>> <jgflier at consolidated.net>; "Don Hespell"
>>> <dhespell at cornerstoneservices.org>; "Eddie Phillips"
>>> <ephillips at cps.k12.il.us>; "Joyce Grangent" <joyce.grangent at csh.org>; 
>>> "Dale
>>> Sheets" <dale.sheets at cuinc.org>; <jwooters at decatursail.com>;
>>> <ltolbert at deltacenter.org>; "Leanne Stavenger-Vos SRC" 
>>> <Lvos at donkainc.org>;
>>> "FITE CILL" <ksensor at fitecil.org>; "Robert Gardner SRC"
>>> <rgardner4 at gmail.com>; "Annette Grove SRC" <annette.grove at goodwill.org>;
>>> "David Tabak GFB" <david at guildfortheblind.org>; "Laura Gallagher-Watkin"
>>> <lgwatkin at hdadvocates.org>; "Jim Monterastelli"
>>> <jmonterastelli at horizonhouseperu.org>; "Ed Birmingham"
>>> <ejfever at hotmail.com>; "Eric Kulesza" <eric_kulesza at hotmail.com>; 
>>> "Richard
>>> Zabelski BSPC" <richzabelski at hotmail.com>; "Chris Burnett"
>>> <cburnett at hso.net>; "Janet Stover" <jstover at hso.net>; "IL Council of the
>>> Blind" <icb at icbonline.org>; <execdirector at iicil.com>; 
>>> "UniversityCoordinator
>>> Lane" <land at iit.edu>; "UniversityCoordinator Larson" 
>>> <larsonjon at iit.edu>;
>>> "ALETHA ALEXANDER" <ALETHA.ALEXANDER at illinois.gov>; "Allison Anderson"
>>> <Allison.Anderson at illinois.gov>; "Amy Moore" <Amy.Moore at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Andre Howard" <Andre.M.Howard at illinois.gov>; "ANITA COLVIN"
>>> <ANITA.COLVIN at illinois.gov>; "Barbara Peake" 
>>> <Barbara.Peake at illinois.gov>;
>>> "BLAKE HEGARTY" <BLAKE.HEGARTY at illinois.gov>; "Bob Trammel"
>>> <Bob.Trammel at illinois.gov>; "Brenda Mersinger-Klein"
>>> <Brenda.Mersinger-Klein at illinois.gov>; "Bryce Hampton"
>>> <Bryce.Hampton at illinois.gov>; "Carol Adams" <Carol.Adams at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Cassie Laird" <Cassie.Laird at illinois.gov>; "CATHY MEADOWS"
>>> <CATHY.MEADOWS at illinois.gov>; "CHARLENE ANTHONY"
>>> <CHARLENE.ANTHONY at illinois.gov>; "Charles Hatfield"
>>> <Charles.Hatfield at illinois.gov>; "Chenise Micks"
>>> <Chenise.Micks at illinois.gov>; "Cheryl Bradley"
>>> <Cheryl.Bradley at illinois.gov>; "Chris Eickhorst"
>>> <Chris.Eickhorst at illinois.gov>; "Christina Pean"
>>> <Christina.Pean at illinois.gov>; "Christine Hadley"
>>> <Christine.Hadley at illinois.gov>; "Connie Cooper"
>>> <Connie.Cooper at illinois.gov>; "Dave Hall" <Dave.Hall at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "David
>>> REED" <David.REED at illinois.gov>; "Davida Fanniel"
>>> <Davida.Fanniel at illinois.gov>; "Deb Murrill" <Deb.Murrill at illinois.gov>;
>>> "DEBORAH NORFLEAT" <DEBORAH.NORFLEAT at illinois.gov>; "DEIRDRE PARROTT"
>>> <DEIRDRE.PARROTT at illinois.gov>; "DERRICK PHILLIPS"
>>> <DERRICK.PHILLIPS at illinois.gov>; "DIONNE JACKSON"
>>> <DIONNE.JACKSON at illinois.gov>; "DONNA RYAN" <DONNA.RYAN at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Dorothy Keys" <Dorothy.L.Keys at illinois.gov>; "DOROTHY NEAL"
>>> <DOROTHY.NEAL at illinois.gov>; "Douglas Morton" 
>>> <Douglas.Morton at illinois.gov>;
>>> "EDWIN NEGRON" <EDWIN.NEGRON at illinois.gov>; "Fitch Weathington"
>>> <Fitch.Weathington at illinois.gov>; "Gene Oulvey" 
>>> <Gene.Oulvey at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Georgia Lacy" <Georgia.Lacy at illinois.gov>; "GREG BATTLE"
>>> <GREG.BATTLE at illinois.gov>; "Ingrid Halvorsen"
>>> <Ingrid.Halvorsen at illinois.gov>; "JAMES KNAUF" 
>>> <JAMES.KNAUF at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Jaunice Walker" <Jaunice.Walker at illinois.gov>; "JEFFREY KNOX"
>>> <JEFFREY.KNOX at illinois.gov>; "JOAN Jablonski-Baxter"
>>> <JOAN.Jablonski-Baxter at illinois.gov>; "Jodi Lloyd"
>>> <Jodi.Lloyd at illinois.gov>; "Joe Hamlett" <Joe.Hamlett at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "John
>>> Griffin" <John.C.Griffin at illinois.gov>; "John Cowan"
>>> <John.E.Cowan at illinois.gov>; "John Marchioro" 
>>> <John.Marchioro at illinois.gov>;
>>> "John Miller DHHC" <john.miller at illinois.gov>; "KAREN ENGSTROM"
>>> <KAREN.ENGSTROM at illinois.gov>; "Kaylee Raymond"
>>> <Kaylee.Raymond at illinois.gov>; "Keith Timko" <Keith.Timko at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Keo Sabengsy" <Keo.Sabengsy at illinois.gov>; "KIM PIECZYNSKI"
>>> <KIM.PIECZYNSKI at illinois.gov>; "Kris Smith" <Kris.Smith at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "Kyle
>>> Daniels" <Kyle.Daniels at illinois.gov>; "Linda-Lou Long"
>>> <Linda-Lou.Long at illinois.gov>; "Lisa Riegel" <Lisa.Riegel at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Lizette Tripur" <Lizette.Tripur at illinois.gov>; "Lori Zenner"
>>> <Lori.Zenner at illinois.gov>; "LOUIS HAMER" <LOUIS.HAMER at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "Louis
>>> Parker" <Louis.Parker at illinois.gov>; "Lyle VanDeventer"
>>> <Lyle.VanDeventer at illinois.gov>; "Marbella Marsh SRC"
>>> <Marbella.Marsh at illinois.gov>; "MARIA CARDE" <MARIA.CARDE at illinois.gov>;
>>> "MARILYN LIWANAG" <MARILYN.LIWANAG at illinois.gov>; "Mark Krupke"
>>> <Mark.Krupke at illinois.gov>; "Martin Pereira" 
>>> <Martin.Pereira at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Marva Campbell-Pruitt" <Marva.Campbell-Pruitt at illinois.gov>; "Marybeth
>>> Lauderdale" <Marybeth.Lauderdale at illinois.gov>; "Mary Beth Scholten"
>>> <MaryBeth.Scholten at illinois.gov>; "MARY ROSE HOFFMAN"
>>> <MaryRose.Hoffman at illinois.gov>; "Matt Abrahamson"
>>> <Matt.Abrahamson at illinois.gov>; "Melissa Romanotto"
>>> <Melissa.Romanotto at illinois.gov>; "Michelle Lawrence"
>>> <Michelle.Lawrence at illinois.gov>; "Michelle Rainey"
>>> <Michelle.Rainey at illinois.gov>; "Moses Tejuoso"
>>> <Moses.Tejuoso at illinois.gov>; "Nancy Febus" 
>>> <Nancy.E.Febus at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Ovelia Smith-Barton" <Ovelia.Smith-Barton at illinois.gov>; "Pamela
>>> Clay-Wilson" <Pamela.Clay-Wilson at illinois.gov>; "Pat Fanter"
>>> <Pat.Fanter at illinois.gov>; "PAT KRAMER-BROWN"
>>> <PAT.KRAMER-BROWN at illinois.gov>; "Pat Sabo" <Pat.Sabo at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "PAT
>>> TRUEBLOOD" <PAT.TRUEBLOOD at illinois.gov>; "PAULA FERGUSON"
>>> <PAULA.FERGUSON at illinois.gov>; "Phil Schoenfeld"
>>> <Phil.Schoenfeld at illinois.gov>; "Philip Locascio"
>>> <Philip.Locascio at illinois.gov>; "Phyllis Staats"
>>> <Phyllis.Staats at illinois.gov>; "Randy Staton" 
>>> <Randy.Staton at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Reggie Clinton" <Reggie.Clinton at illinois.gov>; "Regina Cook-Glanton"
>>> <Regina.Cook-Glanton at illinois.gov>; "RENARD HAYGOOD"
>>> <RENARD.HAYGOOD at illinois.gov>; "Rhonda Davis" 
>>> <Rhonda.L.Davis at illinois.gov>;
>>> "RICK REGAN" <RICK.REGAN at illinois.gov>; "Rita Howells"
>>> <Rita.Howells at illinois.gov>; "Robert Griffith"
>>> <Robert.Griffith at illinois.gov>; "Robert Kilbury"
>>> <Robert.Kilbury at illinois.gov>; "Robert Scanlan"
>>> <Robert.Scanlan at illinois.gov>; "Shanna Frank" 
>>> <Shanna.Frank at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Sharon Johnson" <Sharon.Johnson at illinois.gov>; "Sharon Marshall"
>>> <Sharon.Marshall at illinois.gov>; "Sherrie Bridges"
>>> <Sherrie.Bridges at illinois.gov>; "Sue Johnson-Smith"
>>> <Sue.Johnson-Smith at illinois.gov>; "SUSAN HALL" 
>>> <SUSAN.HALL at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Susan Haury" <Susan.Haury at illinois.gov>; "Susan Taylor"
>>> <Susan.L.Taylor at illinois.gov>; "TAMMY NEMETH" 
>>> <TAMMY.NEMETH at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Therese Manderino" <Therese.Manderino at illinois.gov>; "TJ SCHLOUSKI"
>>> <TJ.SCHLOUSKI at illinois.gov>; "Vicki Draksler" 
>>> <Vicki.Draksler at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Vickie Mayfield" <Vickie.Mayfield at illinois.gov>; "William Rios"
>>> <William.Rios at illinois.gov>; "Alan Bridgeland"
>>> <abridgeland at illinoisgrowth.com>; "Bill Bogdan" <wbogdan at ilsos.net>; 
>>> "Eric
>>> Guidish" <eguidish at iltech.org>; "Wilhelmina Gunther SRC"
>>> <wgunther at iltech.org>; <Contarino at impactcil.org>; "IL Valley CIL"
>>> <ivcil at ivcil.com>; <info at jacil.org>; "Beth Katz"
>>> <nanettecohen at jvschicago.org>; "Mary Drabik" <maryd at kennethyoung.org>;
>>> "Marie Nelson FAC STEP" <mnelson at lambsfarm.org>; "LCCIL Kelli Brooks"
>>> <kelli at LCCIL.org>; <gail at lifecil.org>; <eedwards at lincinc.org>; "James
>>> Wilkerson SRC" <wilkerson.jim at mhsil.com>; "UniversityCoordinator 
>>> Currier"
>>> <k-currier at neiu.edu>; <bvaughnsicil at neondsl.com>; <kathy at nicil.org>; 
>>> "Deb
>>> Gough SRC" <dgough at niu.edu>; "Mike Noble" <mnoble at ocecil.org>;
>>> <spud at ofacil.org>; <Kathy.Petersen at Optionscil.com>; <nmch at pacecil.org>;
>>> "Cindy Holbrook FAC" <cholbrook at pillarscommunity.org>; 
>>> <jbosma at rampcil.org>;
>>> "Annette Nowakowski" <anya.enteract at rcn.com>; 
>>> <carlsuter at rehabnetwork.org>;
>>> "Robert Trierweil" <rtrierweil at ric.org>; <Djones at RockfordCenter.org>; 
>>> "Guy
>>> Gregg" <ggregg at saveorg.org>; "Dan Dwyer" <dpdinc600 at sbcglobal.net>;
>>> <ed_dupagecil at sbcglobal.net>; "John Gordon ICBV" <icbv at sbcglobal.net>;
>>> "Janice Duvall SRC" <janice.duvall at sbcglobal.net>; "Marco Giannotti"
>>> <marcogiannotti at sbcglobal.net>; "Dave Crawford" <ocvend at sbcglobal.net>;
>>> <pamwgcil at sbcglobal.net>; "Donnie Anderson" <vendy at sbcglobal.net>;
>>> <proberts at scil.org>; "Pete Roberts SILC" <scil at scil.org>; "Sharon 
>>> Slover"
>>> <sslover at sedom.org>; "Darrell Taylor SILC" <dtaylor at siu.edu>; 
>>> "University
>>> Coord Benshof" <jbenshof at siu.edu>; "Mary Rogers SIU" <mkrogers at siu.edu>;
>>> "Thomas Upton SRC" <tupton at siu.edu>; "Diane Levine (Deicke)"
>>> <dpl316 at spectrios.org>; "Ann Robert" <ann.p.robert at ssa.gov>;
>>> <CatherineH at Stone-Hayes.org>; "Tazewell Co Resource Center BBS"
>>> <Amanda at tcrcorg.com>; <Ron at tcrcorg.com>; "Jay Forman" 
>>> <jay at thresholds.org>;
>>> "Anita Howard" <ahoward at triad.madison.k12.il.us>; "J. Anel Gonzalez SRC"
>>> <anelpma at uic.edu>; "John Trach" <jtrach at uiuc.edu>; "Tony Plotner SRC"
>>> <plotner at uiuc.edu>; "UniversityCoordinator Strauser" 
>>> <strauser at uiuc.edu>;
>>> <cts.62946 at verizon.net>; "Beverly Hardnett-Young SRC" 
>>> <tybev at verizon.net>;
>>> "Myra Christian" <bandmom4life at yahoo.com>; "Dan Haligas"
>>> <haligas at yahoo.com>; "Marlin Thomas SRC" <marsbar75 at yahoo.com>; "Anthony
>>> Arellano" <tonyare2 at yahoo.com>
>>> Cc: "Antonine Grimes" <Antonine.Grimes at illinois.gov>; "BETTYE 
>>> ODEM-DAVIS"
>>> <BETTYE.ODEM-DAVIS at illinois.gov>; "Cammy Ermann"
>>> <Cammy.Ermann at illinois.gov>; "Canda Scott" <Canda.Scott at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Carmen Dodd" <Carmen.Dodd at illinois.gov>; "Connie Finley"
>>> <Connie.Finley at illinois.gov>; "Debbie Huss" <Debbie.Huss at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Elayne Weathersby" <Elayne.Weathersby at illinois.gov>; "Francisco 
>>> Alvarado"
>>> <Francisco.Alvarado at illinois.gov>; "Grace Hou" <Grace.Hou at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Gregory Diephouse" <Gregory.Diephouse at illinois.gov>; "HAROLD WILLIAMS"
>>> <HAROLD.WILLIAMS at illinois.gov>; "Jan Dunas" <Jan.Dunas at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "Janet
>>> Sherburne" <Janet.Sherburne at illinois.gov>; "Jeff Standerfer"
>>> <Jeff.Standerfer at illinois.gov>; "JO ANCELL" <JO.ANCELL at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "Joan
>>> Fowler" <Joan.M.Fowler2 at illinois.gov>; "JOY ZBINDEN"
>>> <JOY.ZBINDEN at illinois.gov>; "Judy Reiser" <Judy.Reiser at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "Judy
>>> Robinson" <Judy.Robinson at illinois.gov>; "Kay Scott"
>>> <Kay.Scott at illinois.gov>; "Ken Williams" <Ken.Williams at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Lenore Roth" <Lenore.Roth at illinois.gov>; "LEONOR RAMIREZ"
>>> <LEONOR.RAMIREZ at illinois.gov>; "MARJORIE NEUF" 
>>> <MARJORIE.NEUF at illinois.gov>;
>>> "Marjorie Olson" <Marjorie.Olson at illinois.gov>; "Michelle Maaks"
>>> <Michelle.Maaks at illinois.gov>; "Pat Fore" <Pat.Fore at illinois.gov>; "Paul
>>> Drake" <Paul.Drake at illinois.gov>; "Raven Pulliam"
>>> <Raven.Pulliam at illinois.gov>; "Ron Sazone" <Ron.Sazone at illinois.gov>; 
>>> "Shawn
>>> Henderliter" <Shawn.Henderliter at illinois.gov>; "Susan Ogden"
>>> <Susan.Ogden at illinois.gov>; "Ann Ford" <annford at incil.org>; "Julie 
>>> Potter"
>>> <Julie.Potter at ssa.gov>; "Kari Wright" <Kari.Wright at ssa.gov>; "Patti 
>>> Strader"
>>> <patti.strader at ssa.gov>
>>> Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 9:18 AM
>>> Subject: DRS May 2009 Community Partner Update
>>>
>>>
>>>> From Rob Kilbury, Director, Division of Rehabilitation
>>>> Services/Department of Human Services
>>>>
>>>> DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
>>>> Community Partner Update
>>>> May 1, 2009
>>>>
>>>> Legislative Update: There are several legislative proposals that DRS is
>>>> tracking.  These include the following:  Family members/spouses
>>>> providing care to customers in the Home Services Program; changes in
>>>> Medicaid eligibility requirements; increases in wages/health insurance
>>>> for workers in the Home Services Program; prescreenings of individuals
>>>> with disabilities in nursing facilities; Rapid Reintegration Pilot;
>>>> hiring incentives for individuals with disabilities in state 
>>>> government;
>>>> and the priority of blind vendors for vending facilities/cafeterias on
>>>> state property.
>>>>
>>>> Bureau of Field Services: The Downers Grove office received the
>>>> Advocacy Award at the Annual Ability Links Conference and Employment
>>>> Expo on April 9th. The conference focused on issues the employer, job
>>>> seeker and the service provider face in the ever changing world of 
>>>> work.
>>>> Sessions on Disability Awareness, preparing for successful job search,
>>>> dressing for success, best practices and strategies for becoming a
>>>> disability inclusive employer and several other were presented by
>>>> nationally known experts in their field.
>>>>
>>>> The Kankakee DRS office has recently moved to a new location at 285
>>>> North Schuyler Avenue. Work continues on the building, but staff are
>>>> there and serving customers.
>>>>
>>>> Louis Hamer has been named the Acting Assistant Bureau Chief for
>>>> DHS/DRS Region 2. Mr. Hamer has many years of management experience and
>>>> continues to be the manager of our Community Resources section, in
>>>> addition to his new responsibilities.
>>>>
>>>> Independent Living: The 2009 Disability Rights/Independent Living
>>>> Conference and Expo was held April 27th thru 29th at the Prairie
>>>> Convention Center in downtown Springfield.  Its primary sponsors were
>>>> DHS/DRS, INCIL, CCDI, IATP and SILC.  The conference organizers
>>>> indicated that over 230 people who attended the Conference.
>>>> The Conference featured a variety of workshops tracts that covered
>>>> topics such as IL services to consumers with mental illness, systems
>>>> advocacy, community organizing,  CIL board recruitment and development,
>>>> and ADA and personal development, to name a few.  There was even a 
>>>> Salsa
>>>> Dance workshop this year which was well received.
>>>>
>>>> In addition, there was the Disabilities Expo which featured a variety
>>>> of disability related products such as: accessible trucks, vans, and
>>>> bikes; accessible video games; accessible rock climbing wall; product
>>>> demonstrations; and an assistive technology workshop geared for VR and
>>>> HSP staff.  More than 55 vendors participated in the Expo.
>>>>
>>>> Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) won CCDI's Penny Severns
>>>> Legislator of the Year Award; Mike Egbert of Opportunities for Access
>>>> won the Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen Award; Cathy Contarino won 
>>>> the
>>>> Ed Roberts Award issued by the Illinois Network of Centers for
>>>> Independent Living.
>>>>
>>>> Budget Update: DRS has received the following amounts from the federal
>>>> stimulus package: $10,039,645.00 - VR; $570,697.00 - Independent 
>>>> Living;
>>>> and $1,411,724.00 - Older Blind.  This federal money must be spent by
>>>> September 30, 2011.  DRS is working with a number of stakeholders to
>>>> develop a plan to invest these dollars in services and programs that
>>>> will benefit the state-federal program and its customers for years to
>>>> come, without encumbering the agency to continue these programs when 
>>>> the
>>>> stimulus dollars are gone.
>>>>
>>>> ISD and ISVI: The fourth annual legislative breakfast sponsored by the
>>>> Illinois State Advisory Council for the Education of Children with
>>>> Disabilities was held April 3rd at the State Capitol Rotunda.  Students
>>>> from ISVI and ISD were invited to meet with their legislators. 
>>>> Students
>>>> were lucky enough to meet the Governor, be part of a bill signing, and
>>>> have their photos taken with Governor Quinn.
>>>>
>>>> Debit Cards for Personal Assistants: Personal Assistants will soon be
>>>> able to choose to receive their pay via debit card, available through a
>>>> Request for Proposal process which was won by ACS State and Local
>>>> Solutions, Inc.  PAs currently have a choice of being paid via either
>>>> direct deposit or paper check.
>>>>
>>>> Community Reintegration/Money Follows the Person: To date, 143
>>>> individuals have moved into the community through the Community
>>>> Reintegration Program through the 23 Centers for Independent Living. 
>>>> The
>>>> Money Follows the Person program officially began on March 1.  Many of
>>>> the activities of the CIL staff have been meeting with potential MFP
>>>> consumers in the Nursing Facility to discuss MFP.  Additional
>>>> requirements have been set in place as part of this new program.
>>>>
>>>> Rapid Reintegration: DRS Staff have met with Rapid Reintegration
>>>> program liaisons within the Home Services Program and Centers for
>>>> Independent Living. A formal training has been conducted on the
>>>> prescreening process, roles and responsibilities, etc. with the program
>>>> starting on April 1.  A letter was also sent to the participating
>>>> hospitals of the start date and process for contacting the DRS office
>>>> regarding the need for prescreening.
>>>>
>>>> The goal of the program is to serve 100 individuals between the ages of
>>>> 18 59 who are hospitalized at select locations (Springfield and
>>>> Rockford).  DRS will study and analyze the discharge process, the
>>>> ability to prevent prolonged NF placements, and to increase customer
>>>> choice.
>>>>
>>>> Senate, House Appropriations Hearing Held: The Senate Appropriations
>>>> Committee met on April 28, the House Human Services Appropriations
>>>> Committee met on April 30.  Much of the questioning was expected to be
>>>> about the Home Services Program and how the division intended to live
>>>> within its $26.3 million increase ($524 million total in budget
>>>> proposal).  Rob Kilbury shared the Division's plan to involve
>>>> stakeholders in the process of incorporating service parameters in the
>>>> areas of housekeeping, food preparation, outside the home, money
>>>> management, and laundry.  The House Committee will meet again at 10:30
>>>> a.m. on May 5:  Happy Cinco de Mayo.
>>>>
>>>> 2009 VR Performance Statistics: The performance of the DRS VR program
>>>> for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2009 is overall slightly
>>>> better than for the same period in the previous year. A total of 3,606
>>>> individuals with disabilities were closed as successful competitive
>>>> outcomes through March 31, a 1.9 percent improvement over data for
>>>> FY2008. Given the increase in the state's unemployment rate in the
>>>> last year, this represents a significant achievement.
>>>>
>>>> Results were very positive for the Bureau of Blind Services, which
>>>> overall showed a 17.5 percent increase over FY2008.   Particularly
>>>> notable was the performance of BBS Area 5, with a 91.3 percent increase
>>>> compared to last year.  Congratulations BBS!
>>>>
>>>> Employment outcomes for the Bureau of Field Services increased by 1.1
>>>> percent over last year, with significant performance increases posted 
>>>> by
>>>> BFS Region 4 (25.1%) and BFS Region 3 (13.7%).
>>>>
>>>> Another notable result was an increase in customer earnings.  The
>>>> average hourly wage earned by customers successfully employed rose by
>>>> 3.4 percent in the last year, from $9.73 in FY2008 to $10.06 in FY2009.
>>>> While this represents an increase of only $8.25 per week, it is a
>>>> positive result in a very difficult labor market.
>>>>
>>>> The rehabilitation rate, the percentage of closed cases who are
>>>> successfully employed, was basically unchanged at 58.3% for FY2009
>>>> compared to 58.5% last year.  This figure remains above the RSA 
>>>> standard
>>>> of 55.8% for general VR programs.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
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>>
>>
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