The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) has funded a project designed to improve receuitment and retention of Direct Support professionals in Illinois, who are competent and confident in the skills needed to provide quality supports and services  to individuals with developmental disablities. The Initiative has created two versions (family and individual) of a toolkit , at  www.ildspinitiative.com, designed to provide easy-to-use tips and strategies to help people find, choose and keep high quality Direct Support professionals. You can download a copy from the website of either version or both versions of  "Find, Choose, and Keep Great Direct Support Professionals".

2005 Youth Transition Summary

Where do young adults with special health care needs turn for help as they age?  For answaers, DSCC asked youth, ages 14 to 21, who currently receive services from the agency.  385 surveys were mailed out asking questions about their health, education, work, social, and recreational activities. The responses received were enlightening and will help DSCC better serve youth in Illinois.

In December 2004, a family survey was mailed to over 7,000 households receiving DSCC services and to SSI households referred to DSCC within the last three months of 2004.  The survey was part of needs assessment activities for the Maternal Child Health Block Grant and collected information on community health access, care coordination, paying for healthcare, service barriers, primary care services, transition services and demographic information.  Surveys were collected and tabulated by the Survey Research Office in the Center for State Policy and Leadership of the University of Illinois at Springfield. 

A very informative summary of the results is available in PDF format and can be viewed at the following link:

http://internet.dscc.uic.edu/forms/NeedsAssessmentSummary.pdf

As DSCC continues to make every effort to respond to the needs of children with special health care needs in an ever changing environment, the outstanding response from families was deeply appreciated.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities has recently developed a comprehensive Parent Guide explaining the special education law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.

 http://www.ncld.org/content/view/902/456086/

DSCC established a Family Advisory Council in July 1999 which meets three times per year to provide guidance and direction to the agency. Council members are selected to represent the cultural, social and geographic diversity of the Illinois children with special health care needs receiving agency services. The Council is coordinated by a parent, Mr. Bob Cook, who serves as the agency's Family Liaison Specialist. Mr. Cook coordinates the semi-annual Council meetings, publication of the family newsletter, Special Addition, and serves as a liaison for staff and families. More information about the Family Advisory Council (text-only version) is available on our website.