Annual Dance & Sandwich Buffet

Save the Date!!!!

Event: Annual Dance at the Harvard Moose Lodge

Date: Thursday, October 16th, 2008

Time: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Location: 22500 Route 173 W, Harvard, Illinois 60033

Benefit for individuals with developmental disabilities, counselors, parents and guardians.

There will be no charge, by you must RSVP @ 815-943-5925.

Kiwainis Peanut Day

Today three EDS volunteers collected donations during the Kiwainis Peanut day drive.

They worked a two hour shift collecting money at the McHenry Jewel.

GREAT WORK!!!

News: Call Your Senators

Yahoo…the pressure worked.

Governor Blagojevich has called the Senate and House back into session next Monday, September 22 to deal with the ethics legislation and perhaps other issues. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE THE CUTS TO THE FY '08 LEVEL IF THE SENATE VOTES TO PASS SENATE BILLS 790 (THE FUND SWEEPS BILL) AND SENATE BILL 1103 (THE RESTORATION OF CUTS).

Now call your senators and let them know the above information.
State Senator Bill Peterson, phone 847-634-6060, fax 847-634-1569, illsen26@aol.com
State Senator Pam Althoff, phone 815-455-6330, fax 815-455-8284, palthoff@mc.net


Thanks


Lorraine Kopczynski, President/CEO
Pioneer Center for Human Services
4001 Dayton Street
McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: (815) 759-7056
Fax: (815) 344-3815

Class Sign-up September 29th

Attention EDS Clients:

The opportunity to sign up for extra curricular classes will be on Monday the 29th.

Just like in the summer, there will be a variety of booths set up in the P. Central Common area where you can sign up for classes that you are interested in taking.

Please note that since class space is limited you may not get your class of "first choice."

I Scream You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream

As part of Rehab week, yesterday we celebrated Pioneer Day. There was a flag raising event where clients lead the pledge and the national anthem. McHenry Mayor Sue Low and State Representative Mike Tryon, who are both great advocates for Pioneer, attended.

"It's awesome, we have tons of ice scream. We celebrated Pioneer and the 50 year anniversary. Pioneer is good at having classes to take for me to learn about self-advocacy, time management and life skills."- Nichole

"I've been her for a few year, and I like it here. I want to get a job. I will have help becasue of Pioneer." Melissa

Sean Dares to Dream!

Today Sean accepted the Dare to Dream Co-facilitator position. He was selected out of several applicants to present at the October workshop with Illinois Voices. Make sure you sign up today for the event if you haven't already! It will be great to see Sean in action!

Keep letters going, Its working!!!

The final version of Senate Bill 1103 was in Amendment #7 which restored all of the cuts that were in the previous version. The bill passed unanimously by a vote of 113 to 0. The fund sweeps bill, SB 790, which will pay for the restoration of cuts also passed unanimously. House Bill 6350, which would restore ICFDD cuts and speed up payments, also passed by an almost unanimous vote.

Our next step is to get the Senate to call a special session as soon as possible to approve all three of the above bills. Although Senate President Jones stated that they wouldn't come back until November, pressure from his members could change is mind (as it did on the pay raise rejection).

WE ASK YOU TO CONTINUE THE EFFORT BY GENERATING AS MANY EMAILS, CALLS AND LETTERS TO YOUR STATE SENATOR(S) DURING THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, URGING THEM TO:1. GET SENATOR JONES TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION ASAP.2. SUPPORT THE HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BILLS 790 AND 1103, AS WELL AS HOUSE BILL 6350.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND WE CAN GET THE CUTS RESTORED IN THE BUDGET! Thank You so much for all that you have done already. It makes a difference when we make noise. I have heard that the legislators are being over run with call, faxes and mail. Keep it up.

Senator Jones: jones@senatedem.state.il.us 773-995-9061
Senator Althoff: pam.althoff@senatoralthoff.com 815-455-8284
Senator Peterson: illsen26@aol.com 847-634-1569


Lorraine Kopczynski, President/CEO
Pioneer Center for Human Services
4001 Dayton Street
McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: (815) 759-7056
Fax: (815) 344-3815

Options & Advocacy's Oktoberfest

Options & Advocacy's Oktoberfest Fundraiser

Friday, Oktober 10, 2008, 7:00-10:00

Onion Pub & Brewery

22221 Pepper Road

Lake Barrington, IL 60010

Featuring "DIE MUSIKMEISTERS" an Authentic German Band

Tickets $75.00 Each - Call 815-477-4720 x.444

Complaint against EDS

I’m disappointed to report that there has been a complaint against EDS. As you know, for our trip to Culver’s we needed to borrow an extra bus to fit everyone. We borrowed the brand new group home bus with the understanding we would treat it well. It was reported that garbage was left on the bus, along with a soda cup without a lid and soda splashed ever where. Needless to say, it was a sticky mess. The bus has been cleaned, but our reputation has not.

Dear Family & Friends of Pioneer from Lorraine Kopczynski

September 5, 2008

Dear Family & Friends of Pioneer,

Thanks to all of you that responded to my request in May and sent letters to our state legislators. I would like to give you an update on state of Illinois funding for Pioneer and once again ask for your help. As the President/CEO of Pioneer, I have unfortunately become accustomed to trying to make ends meet in a state that puts a low priority on serving the needs of its citizens with disabilities. However, with the likely reality of cuts in state funding that total $230,276 for Pioneer, my worst nightmare is coming true. $188,963 will be cut from our programs and services for development disabilities and $41,313 will be cut from mental health programs and services. 12% has been cut from our grants and 2.5 % from fees and services. This is close to 2% of Pioneer’s total budget, but the impact is greater due to soaring inflation rates and the lack of regular increases in rates and reimbursements for community developmental disability and mental health services from the State of Illinois over recent years. Bottom line is, with these cuts from the state of Illinois, I will be forced to make staffing cuts and reduce services to current clients. It goes without saying that I will not be able to take on any new clients from the long waiting list of clients waiting for services (we processed 80 requests for service just in the last month alone). With the current dismal state of affairs, many clients will likely die on the waiting list before getting the opportunity to receive services, which is disgraceful.

Once again, I would like to request your help in contacting our state of Illinois legislators to ask for their help to not only restore funding to 2008 levels, but provide the increased monies necessary to move toward quality services for all those in need. Please use your own words to describe the impact of a loss of programs or services to your loved one and your family. What if (insert name) couldn’t live in a Pioneer group home? What if (insert name) couldn’t receive vocational services (or other programs/services)? As the legislature is convening next week, time is of the essence. Please email or fax your letters immediately. I have attached a list of the state legislators that we are targeting in this campaign and their contact information.

In the 20 plus years that I have been at Pioneer, these are the worst cuts by far. This is a major crisis for Pioneer and other human services agencies and we need to rally together to “make some noise” to let our legislators know the personal impact of these budget cuts and try to get them restored. Thanks for your help with this very important matter. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Lorraine Kopczynski
President and CEO

4001 Dayton Street ● McHenry, IL 60050 ● www.pioneercenter.org ● 815-344-1230

Pioneer Center braces for program, staff cuts

http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2008/09/05/news/local/doc48c0c58b3a115254995370.txt

By BRETT ROWLAND - browland@nwherald.com

McHENRY – State budget cuts combined with economic woes could force the Pioneer Center for Human Services to make significant reductions to staff and services – the worst in two decades.Pioneer Center, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health and developmental disability services, learned that it could lose $240,276 in state funds.About $188,963 would be axed from the center’s development disabilities programs. An additional $41,313 would be shed from its mental health programs, President and CEO Lorraine Kopczynski said.Further cuts to the center’s grants, fees and services will result in a nearly 2 percent reduction of its $12 million annual budget.“It’s a desperate situation; we’re really hurting,” Kopczynski said. “We’re under-funded already.”The budget cuts will require Pioneer Center to stop taking on new clients immediately. That is a move that likely will frustrate many and result in even longer waiting lists for many services the center offers, Kopczynski said.Pioneer Center serves about 1,700 people each year through a variety of programs. Pioneer Center serves people with developmental disabilities, mental illness and brain injuries, and it provides intervention therapy for young children. It also operates programs for the homeless and for victims of sexual assault.Kopczynski has been going through the center’s budget line by line to find the best way to reduce costs without having to cut staff or reduce the number of people the agency serves.Vocational services and job skill programs could be hit hard.“These people are working to get off the welfare rolls,” she said. “What is going to happen if I have to make cuts?”Where and when the reductions could come isn’t clear. Kopczynski said she already had signed some service contracts for 2009. Those cannot be altered at this point, narrowing the range of items to put on the chopping block.Kopczynski said she would try to avoid staff layoffs, perhaps by reducing the number of employee hours.“We’re looking at what cuts need to be made now,” she said. “But I can’t sacrifice quality.”The center already is contemplating holding more fundraisers and looking at other ways to make up the budget shortfall. But with a slumping national economy, that could be difficult, Kopczynski said.Local elected officials were quick to point the finger at Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.“It’s a matter of the governor’s priorities,” said state Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-McHenry. “I’m extremely upset. What we see here is an administration that chooses to fund new programs and expand health care to the detriment of human services like Pioneer Center.”State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, also blamed Blagojevich.“The governor’s cuts were disproportionately aimed at those who are least able to help themselves,” he said. “I voted to override the governor’s cuts, and now it is up to the Senate to get back and do the same thing.”Franks suggested pressuring Blagojevich on a local level.That’s something Kopczynski already has started. She said she had sent letters to local politicians and the governor and even would be reaching out to the presidential candidates for help.
Copyright © 2008 Northwest Herald. All rights reserved.

Message from Illinois Voices Regarding Budget Cuts

GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH’S BUDGET CUTS

The General Assembly passed a budget that is over $2 billion out of balance. As a consequence, the Governor vetoed $145 million from community based services for people with DD, including:

· $4,600,000 funding recommendations for Community Integrated Living Arrangements.
· $5,000,000 to decrease the waiting list for aging caregivers.
· $2,000,000 to help young adults transition from the school system.
· $5,300,000 decrease for the Autism Diagnosis Education Program.
· $693,000 decrease for the family assistance and home-based support services program
· $159,000 decrease for transitions from state-ops to the community for DD
· $11,900,000 decrease for DD Grants and Purchase of Care
· $7,660,000 decrease for DD Long-Term Care
· $176,500 decrease for specialized services to persons with DD
· $10,200 decrease for DD Quality Assurance Waiver
· $270,000 decrease for ARC of Illinois Lifespan Project
· $130,300 decrease for transitions from DCFS to DHS DDD
· $27,500,000 – 50 cents/hour wage increase for DD & MH Direct Care/Non-Executive Staff

Illinois is 51st in the nation (50 states and Puerto Rico) in investing in community based services for children and adults with disabilities. We have the 13th-highest per capita income and the 5th- highest-paid legislature. To add insult to injury, the Department of Human Services announced yesterday that further reductions are necessary throughout the developmental disability programs.

The reductions are basically comprised of a 2.5% reduction across all programs and a 12% reduction on grant programs. We need you to contact your State Representative and Senator and ask them to stop these cuts. WE ALSO NEED YOU TO HOLD MEETINGS WITH THE SELF-ADVOCATES THAT YOU SUPPORT IN ORDER TO INFORM THEM, RALLY THEM AROUND THIS CAUSE, AND PAY A PERSONAL VISIT TO THE LEGISLATORS IN THEIR DISTRICT. Let your legislators know that you support new revenue, but only if it includes community-based DD services. Let your legislators know you expect them to lead Illinois out of a financial crisis and support ALL of its citizens.

If you need help on finding out whom your district’s legislators are, please contact Amy Walker at awalker@maconresources.org or (217) 875-8886 or Sheena Martin at martin.sheena@gmail.com or (217) 875-8886.

Thank you for your help.
LET’S RALLY TO BLAST THOSE BUDGET CUTS BACK

Join us as we celebrate on September 15, 2008

Pioneer Center for Human Services will celebrate Pioneer Day, in recognition of “Pioneer’s 50 years of commitment and dedication to providing quality services and programs”, as well as National Rehab Month.

We would like to have all clients and staff attend the flag raising that will take place at 10:00 am on the 15th in front of P. Central. McHenry Mayor Sue Low, State Representative Mike Tryon, and a few other dignitaries will be speaking.

Also on the 15th, everyone is invited to an ice cream social at 1:00 pm. Both P. Central and P. East will be hosting this year, hoping to alleviate the long lines we’ve seen in the past.

Please help us celebrate this momentous occasion!

Fall Quarter Schedule

Monday
8:30 Time Management
9:00 Communication and Problem Solving
9:45 Interviewing
10:15 Break
10:30 Job Exploration
11:00 Group A- Computer Lab, Group B- Classroom
11:30 Group A- Classroom, Group B- Computer Lab
12:00 Health/Fitness
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Job Retention

Tuesday
8:30 Skills Training
9:00 Communication and Problem Solving
9:30 Leave for MCC
10:00 Class at MCC
1:00 Leave for Pioneer
1:30 Independent Study

Wednesday
8:30 SODAS
9:00 Snack Attack- Training Site
9:45 Self-Assessment
10:15 Break
10:30 Group A- Computer Lab, Group B- Classroom
11:15 Group A- Classroom, Group B- Computer Lab
12:00 Health/Fitness
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Workplace Skills

Thursday
8:30 Skills Training
9:00 Communication and Problem Solving
9:45 Interviewing
10:15 Break
10:30 Job Exploration
11:00 Group A- Computer Lab, Group B- Classroom
11:30 Group A- Classroom, Group B- Computer Lab
12:00 Health/Fitness

12: 30 Lunch
1:00 Self-Advocacy with AIM

Friday
8:30 Time Management
9:00 Communication and Problem Solving
9:30 Leave for MCC
10:00 Class at MCC
1:00 Leave for Pioneer
1:30 Independent Study

Construction on Route 31

CONSTRUCTION!!!

Just so you all know, there is some sort of construction project on 31. Traffic along 31 and on Dayton Street is very slow. Please be aware that this may cause bus routes to be late. This will also effect EDS's travel time to and from MCC on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you have business at Pioneer, please allow extra travel time.

And Ben, for the last time, my name is Not "Road Rach".