The Division of Specialized Care for Children, DSCC, established the Family Advisory Council in July 1999 to demonstrate its commitment to the provision of family-centered, culturally-sensitive and community-based care and treatment for children, from birth to 21 years of age, with chronic disabilities and health impairments. The Family Advisory Council serves as an advisory body to represent family perspectives in the planning, implementation and evaluation of DSCC activities. This mission will be accomplished by the following:
Council Functions
- Review and comment on DSCC activities, including but not limited to: Policy, Rules and Regulations.
- Expand DSCC access to family input, to assure family-centered values and priorities.
- Review and comment on strategies, programs and services to improve family participation and access to quality services.
- Provide support to DSCC regional staff in presentations and other public relations-related activities.
- Assist in the development of a Family-to-Family network to enable DSCC staff to match families for support.
- Assist in the development of materials for families; such as a Family Handbook describing DSCC services or a Family Newsletter.
- Identify speakers and issues for family educational sessions.
- Cultivate family leadership statewide.
Council Membership
- The Council recently elected a chairperson who will direct the Council meetings and also be a member of the DSCC Medical Advisory Board.
- The coordinator of the Family Advisory Council, the DSCC Family Liaison Specialist, will be a parent of a child with special health care needs employed by DSCC.
- The Council will maintain 13-26 members, representing the cultural and geographic diversity of the state, with at least one and no more than two members representing each of the DSCC regional offices. Members are recommended by the Regional Program Services Managers.
- In the near future, the Council will include representatives from statewide disability related organizations who would reflect health conditions that are eligible for DSCC services (i.e., Parent Training Centers, UCP of IL, Illinois School for the Deaf, Illinois Cleft Palate Association, etc..).
- The Council may include one to three senior staff from DSCC, excluding the Council coordinator.
- The family/staff ratio of the Council membership will be at least 3:1.
Council Administration
- There will be a budget for expenses. Family member's will receive a general stipend and be reimbursed for mileage and hotel expenses.
- Council meetings will be held at least every six to nine months with the primary location for the meeting being the DSCC Central Office in Springfield. Satellite sites will be connected via teleconference in northern and southern Illinois to encourage Council member participation.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the Council please contact us.
