Email from Pamela J. Althoff, State Senator

Forward of an email sent today:

To keep you informed, I would like to provide you the following information about what has been happening regarding the budget negotiations in Springfield .

I am deeply disturbed and disappointed that negotiations that should have been going on back in March have truly only begun to take place. As Minority Spokesperson on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have put forth numerous potential solutions that could help address the budget crisis. Earlier this year, I joined colleagues in unveiling a deficit reduction plan that would have reduced the deficit by $3 billion next year through government cost-savings and fiscal reforms. Unfortunately, the majority party in the General Assembly failed to act on those measures.

This week, I joined other lawmakers in calling for a “bridge” plan in the hopes of getting things moving before the new fiscal year starts July 1. We did so because it has become abundantly clear that the Governor and the majority party in the legislature continue to target cuts to critical state services, in particular, the social service agencies, their clients who are at risk, and families in need.

We have suggested that lawmakers adopt a temporary budget that can keep service providers in business while legislative leaders negotiate. We have proposed financing at the Fiscal Year 2008 levels. We know this is not ideal, but it would roll back spending to a more responsible and affordable level across the board.

We feel this is better than the budget plan adopted at the end of May – a plan I voted against – that focused massive cuts on only a few select areas of the budget (social service agencies) and increased spending in other areas. That drastic measure was designed to create a backlash, which it did. But it has done nothing to advance a responsible solution or address the underlying problems facing Illinois government.

People have asked for alternatives, and I believe this bridge budget is a reasonable option. While it would still require sacrifice, it is shared and manageable sacrifice that would allow Illinois to move forward and negotiate solutions to the problems underlying state government in Illinois .

I offered to stay in Springfield as long as is necessary to pass a budget that meets the needs of the social services community and avoids the unnecessary and draconian cuts contained in the budget passed in May.

We can find a solution that addresses these priorities, but it will take willpower, bipartisanship and a desire to advance the common-good, rather than a political agenda, to get us there.

Pamela J. Althoff
State Senator, 32nd District

As Seen on TV!

Everyone is talking about it!

Britt, our EDS staff extraordinaire, and one of out EDS clients were on TV Monday Night.

The two of them went made the news because they were at the Rally in Chicago to represent all of us in EDS and Pioneer.

People are reporting they were on Channel 2 and Channel 5.

Did anyone see? Can we find it on the Internet somehow?? Let us Know!

Jam the fax

One more surge. The legislators are back in session tomorrow. At a meeting with Mike Tryon the other night he suggested we hit the leadership with letters, emails or faxes. So I ask that you fax for immediate attention to Madigan, Cullerton, and Quinn and Cross. By the way Tracy called Madigan’s office and was told he does not have an email anymore so he probably never got the other emails…lost in cyberspace.

Remember it is much more effective if the fax comes from you at home or a friend or relative than all from Pioneer. If you don’t have a fax, then do an email or letter. Make the letters bold and large.

Use words like: Stop the augments and get to business and come up with an agreement
Be leaders and open the budget for more discussions
Don’t let the cuts happen to Human Services
Stop the doomsday budget
Look at reform
Don’t put clients on the streets

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

June 24th -Mental Health Board (NO MCC)

Attention all EDS Clients, Guardians and Supporters;

EDS will NOT be going to MCC on June 24th.

On Wednesday, June 24th client have a choice if they would like to go to the Mental Health Board for the Task Force meeting, or if they would like to work on the production floor.

It is my suggestion that clients take advantage of going to this meeting. The EDS program is funded by the Mental Health Board. With out it's funding, there would be NO EDS. With all of the cuts that are discussed, it is important to be as knowledgeable as possible. Families, you too are invited to attend.

JUNE MEETING

McHenry County Task Force on Developmental
Disabilities Meeting

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Mental Health Board – Crystal Lake, IL
620 Dakota Street

Featuring Special Guest:
Ed McManus, Network Facilitator DHS

Presenting on:
Ed will give an overview of how to navigate the DHS developmental disability services system, including what steps individuals with developmental disabilities and their families need to take to obtain services; what residential and in-home services are offered by the Department; how the Department processes applications; what the proposed Ligas consent decree will mean; etc., plus questions/answers.

June 22nd - Chicago Rally

This posting is to let all of you know about a rally that is taking place on Monday!

It would be awesome if all the EDS clients could attend, but taking a group so large would be difficult us to manage. Therefore, Britt is scheduled to only take 2 EDS advocates to this event. However, if you are interested in attending on your own, here is the information.

http://accessliving.org/index.php?tray=content&tid=top683&cid=2al13

Olmstead Anniversary Rally for Disability Rights and against service cuts!

Ten years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits the unnecessary institutionalization of persons with disabilities. The 1999 Supreme Cour ruling in Olmstead states that services to persons with disabilities mus t be provided "in the most integrated setting possible."

Our government has failed to give people the choice they are entitled to under the law! Announced cuts of 50% to the budget would further eliminate community services and contribute to the problem.

Our Government is breaking the law and breaking the bank.

We are rallying to recognized the thousands of people in Illinois and around the country who are still forced to live in institutions where they are routinely denied basic human and civil rights.

Rally at the Thompson Center

June 22nd, 2009 @ 11:00 a.m.

A solidarity march to Federal Plaza will follow the rally.

Meet in the Plaza of the Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph, Chicago at 11:00 am. For more information, contact Cary Arnold at 312-640-2199 voice, 312-640-2102 TTY, garnold@accessliving .org email.

Opportunity to Give Pioneer Clients a voice against the Doomsdays Budget

Re: Opportunity to Give Pioneer Clients a voice against the Doomsdays Budget


June 16, 2009

Dear Friends, Families and Significant others:

The reality of the "Doomsday Budget" is that on July 1st, Pioneer Center for Human Services may no longer be able to serve approximately 300 clients. Supporters of Pioneer have been asking, “What can I do about it?” First of all keep writing! Continue to write your personal letters to Governor Quinn, Speaker Madigan, Minority Leader Tom Cross and your legislators and tell them how you and your family will be affected.

Secondly, there is an opportunity for you, in person, to give a voice for the clients at Pioneer on Thursday June 18th. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of McHenry County is holding a forum at the Mental Health Board Building at 7:00 PM at 620 Dakota Street in Crystal Lake. It is our goal to fill the room with clients, families and supporters who will give voice to those impacted by the Doomsday Budget. As always, thank you for your support.

June 18th @ 7:00 PM
Mental Health Board, Crystal Lake, IL, 620 Dakota Street
( http://www.namimchenrycounty.org/index.html)

Local agencies bracing for cuts

The article posted below is from the Northwest Herald Website that was posted today.

http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2009/06/15/r_fw2yfmayskwa40bqizbxa/index.xml

Local agencies bracing for cutsBy CRYSTAL LINDELL - clindell@nwherald.com

On July 1, the Illinois Federation of Families might have to close its doors. And the Pioneer Center for Human Services might have to stop serving about 300 clients.

They are among the social service agencies facing severe cuts next year, which were detailed in letters that they received during the weekend from state department heads. The state Department of Human Services, one agency that funds the agencies, faces $2.24 billion in cuts.

Letters to local human services agencies broke down, by grant program, proposed cuts to the agencies and reiterated Gov. Pat Quinn’s message that lawmakers need to approve a state income tax increase to avoid the shortfall.

Locally, some agency heads speculated that the move is a political stunt but are preparing for the worst nonetheless. They also are planning a news conference on the issue today.
The cuts are slated to go into effect at the start of the fiscal year, July 1.

Lorraine Kopczynski, president and CEO of the Pioneer Center for Human Services, said for her agency, it would mean a loss of about $4 million from its $13 million budget.
She said if this was a scare tactic from the governor’s office, it was a horrible one.
“What an awful thing to do to people,” she said. “In two weeks it will be July 1. I have to give notice to these clients.”

Cynthia Sheppard, Illinois Federation of Families’ executive director, said the agency was preparing to close its doors because it relied so heavily on state funding.
“It’s going to be devastating,” she said.

Bob Martens, CEO of Family Services and Community Mental Health Center, said he hadn’t determined how the cuts would specifically affect his agency, but he knew they would have a drastic impact.

“The safety net that has been in place for so many years is being ripped apart piece by piece,” he said. “We’re deeply concerned.”

Martens added that if this was a political ploy, it didn’t solve the underlying problem.
“Regardless of if it’s a scare tactic or political theater, the issue is the cuts are not getting addressed,” he said. “I hope and pray that the legislators and the leadership in Springfield pull this together, sooner rather than later.”

Local lawmakers agreed that the move was irresponsible, and that cuts should be made across the board rather than just to human services.

State Rep. Mike Tryon, R-Crystal Lake, said he had heard that lawmakers might be called in for a session early next week to consider a new budget.

State Sen. Pam Althoff, R-McHenry, said she had heard the same rumors about a possible session next week in Springfield.

She added that she did believe the move was a political ploy from the governor’s office to force lawmakers to consider the income tax increase.

“I’m just surprised and I’m disappointed that this is the tactic that [the governor] would take,” Althoff said. “There were other alternatives that were proposed and given to him.”
State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said he would like to see other revenue sources explored. In particular, he’d like the state to try to sell off debt related to unpaid taxes.

He added that even without an income tax increase, human services agencies alone should not have to endure drastic cuts.

“I know the work that these agencies do,” he said. “And I just don’t want to see politics played with them.”

State Legislator: Keep Calling!

Clients, Guardians, Familys and Self-Advocates:

It is important to continue to speak up regarding funding cuts!

Gov. Pat Quinn
217-782-6830

State Sen. Pamela Althoff
217-782-8000 fax:217-782-9586
palthoff@mc.net

State Rep. Jack Franks
217-782-1717 fax:217-557-2118
jack@jackfranks.org

State Rep. Michael Tryon
217-782-0432 fax: 815-344-4020
mike@miketryon.com

State Rep. Mark Beaubien
217-782-1517 fax:217-782-7012
strepmbeaubien@aol.com

State Sen. Dan Duffy
217-782-8010 fax:217-782-0116
dan@senatorduffy.com

Speaker Michael Madigan
217-782-5350 fax: 217-524-1794
mmadigan@ilga.gov

McHenry County Task Force on Developmental

JUNE MEETING

McHenry County Task Force on Developmental
Disabilities Meeting

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Mental Health Board – Crystal Lake, IL
620 Dakota Street

Featuring Special Guest:
Ed McManus, Network Facilitator DHS

Presenting on:
Ed will give an overview of how to navigate the DHS developmental disability services system, including what steps individuals with developmental disabilities and their families need to take to obtain services; what residential and in-home services are offered by the Department; how the Department processes applications; what the proposed Ligas consent decree will mean; etc., plus questions/answers.

Please RSVP
Cindy Sullivan at Options & Advocacy (815) 477-4720 or cindy.sullivan@opad.org
Or
Jason Clark at Pioneer Center jclark@pioneercenter.org


http://mchenryddtaskforce.blogspot.com/

Lunch N Learn: The confident You

Attention EDS clients:

You are invited to attend a Lunch n Learn

The Confident You

Have you ever had something you really wanted to say to someone, but held it back because of some kind of fear or shyness? Do you wish you had the confidence to stand up for yourself more firmly in some situations?

June 16th, 2009 12:00-12:45pm

Pioneer West-Training Room B

Please sign up ASAP, space is limited!

Please see Britt

Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars
Sponsored by NADS
Come join us for Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Sunday, August 30, 2009
2:00 p.m.

Kane County Cougars,
Elfstrom Stadium, 34 W. Cherry Lane, Geneva, IL 60134

This will be a great opportunity for everyone in the Down
syndrome community to gather with their family and friends.
Tickets are $10 each for reserved seats.
To order, please fill out the form below and mail your payment by
July 15th to:
NADS
7145 N. Ozanam
Chicago, IL 60631
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kane County Cougars Ticket Request
Name:______
Address: ______

City_____
Zip______

Phone Number____
E-Mail:____
Number of tickets ($10 each):_________

Total Enclosed: $____________
Please make checks payable to NADS.
Tickets will be mailed August 10.

http://www.nads.org/

Men's Group Fundraiser at the Senior Fair

The Men's Gorup iwll be selling a lunch at the Senior Fair as a fundraiser for the Men's group home.

What will they be selling????

1 hot dog

1 bag of chips

1 cup of Kool-aid

All for just $3.00

11:00am to 1:00pm on Thursday June 11th!!!

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

THIS INFO – FAIR IS AN INFORMATION EXCHANGE …it is strongly geared to assist us with future-planning for senior citizens.

TARGET AUDIENCE IS:
GUARDIANS, FAMILIES, DSP’S, Q’S,
AND SELF ADVOCATES OVER THE AGE OF 50.

THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2009
PIONEER WEST
11:30am – 1:00pm

Groups of 5 or more please RSVP BY MAY 28 TO : SOAR@pioneercenter.org Or 759-7145

iPhone adapts for augmentative communication needs

Monday, May 25, 2009

iPhone adapts for augmentative communication needs
From the Web site for the technology, Proloquo2Go:
Proloquo2Go™ is a new product from AssistiveWare that provides a full-featured communication solution for people who have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech voices, up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a default vocabulary of over 7000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of use to the iPhone and iPod touch.With an introductory price of US$ 149 [1], Proloquo2Go is a perfect solution for anyone who cannot afford spending thousands of dollars on an AAC device and yet wants a solution that in terms of sheer communication power and easy of use rivals solutions typically priced over 10 times as high. It is also perfect for teenagers and young adults who want a device as cool as the iPhone or iPod touch. Not to mention, this a great solution for children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, developmental disabilities, or apraxia. Proloquo2Go can also serve adults with acquired disabilities such as ALS, stroke or traumatic brain injury. It can be a useful solution in hospital and rehabilitation settings.Special educators, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists have found Proloquo2Go a proven communication solution for children and adults who can access the iPod touch. Educators see it as a cost-effective solution for special education. Augmentative and Alternative Communication specialists love the ease of programming and customization. Users love Proloquo2Go because it is not only powerful, but it runs on the iPhone and iPod touch. Parents appreciate the system because it is easy to program and makes their children cool. Proloquo2Go can be used as a companion to a table top device or as a user’s sole AAC device.Proloquo2Go uses Acapela Group’s state-of-the-art Text-to-Speech voices. The current version includes North American English male, female, girl and boy voices. British English voices will soon be available as an option. Support for other languages and voices is in the pipeline. Proloquo2Go provides the innovative, new VocaSpace vocabulary that is build on an extremely flexible organizational system and includes close to 8000 symbols from SymbolStix LLC. Conjugation support is provided through Ultralingua’s Grammatica technology.