Elisha's Cove

07/15/2026

Join us for Sensory-Friendly Morning, a free, ticketed event from 8–11 a.m. on Sunday, July 19.

This special morning gives families and individuals with sensory needs a chance to enjoy all the Zoo’s regular offerings with lighter crowds, sensory bags, a calming cart, quiet zones and trained Zoo staff to assist individuals with sensory sensitivities.

The Zoo will open at 11 a.m. following this event. Sensory-Friendly Morning is free with reservation. Tickets are still available at stlzoo.org/accessibility.

07/01/2026

THURSDAY VIBES ARE DIFFERENT 🎤✨

PULL UP for the Hottest Adult Sensory Night in the city! This isn’t just karaoke: it’s a movement. Whether you want to sing it, sign it, or just catch the vibe, this space is built FOR YOU.

EVERY THURSDAY | 5PM - 7PM
📍 The Skate Haus Lounge

ADULT SENSORY HAPPY HOUR (18+)
High energy. Low stress. 🚀

💰 $8 Admission
🛼 $4 Skate Rentals

We are redefining what a SAFE SPACE looks like:
🔹 Low Lights & Controlled Volume
🔹 AAC-Friendly Environment
🔹 Dedicated Calm Corner
🔹 Sensory Tools Available

SENSORY IS A SUPERPOWER! 💙 At Giant Rockets, we believe in WHEELS FOR ALL. No judgment, just pure community and rhythm.

🎤 TAP IN EARLY: Sign up and submit your song choice now so we’re ready for you to take the stage!

REGISTER & JOIN THE MISSION:
🔗 https://www.giantrockets.org

Let’s show the world how we shine. See you on the floor! 🤘🔥



Powered By: The Skate Haus Lounge, 2015 Campus Dr St. Charles MO 63301

06/30/2026

📄 New Resource: HB5605 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

One of the questions we hear most often is, "What exactly would HB5605 do?"

To help answer that, we've created a comprehensive FAQ that explains the proposed Community Supported Living Service Arrangements Act in plain language.

Whether you're a family member, self-advocate, provider, policymaker, or simply interested in learning more, this document addresses many of the common questions we've received, including:

✅ How Community Supported Living differs from CILA and I-CILA
✅ Whether it complies with federal HCBS requirements
✅ Who it is intended to serve
✅ Housing, choice, and person-centered planning
✅ Costs, implementation, workforce, and oversight
✅ Why so many families believe this service is needed
✅ How you can help support the effort

Our goal is simple: provide clear, factual information so everyone can better understand what HB5605 is—and what it isn't.

We encourage you to read it, share it with others, and let us know if there are additional questions you'd like us to address in future updates.

Together, we can continue building awareness and advocating for sustainable community living options for adults with complex disabilities in Illinois.

https://www.supportthecomplex.org/copy-of-community-supported-living-1

06/19/2026

The SIU Clinical Center is providing FREE speech and language screenings to children ages 3-12 on July 8th!

If you or someone you know may be interested, check out the flyer below and use the link in the description to sign up now!

https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C0545A5AF2CA5F4C61-64398290-free?useFullSite=false

06/11/2026

Naperville Park District: Special Needs Swim Night

Sundays, 6/14, 6/28, 7/19, 6:30-8pm
Centennial Beach, 500 Jackson Ave., Naperville
No registration required. Cost is $5 per person at the door or patrons may use their Beach membership.

Families with individuals who have special needs are invited to enjoy a quiet, relaxing evening after regular operating hours of the Beach. The shallow end and slide will be open.

For more details, call Centennial beach at 630-848-5092.

05/28/2026

📣 Call for Proposals!

Help us empower families, elevate student voice, and strengthen special education partnerships across Illinois!

📣 Call for Proposals!

Family Matters PTIC is seeking presenters for our 3rd Annual FMPTIC Virtual Special Education Parent Summit, happening October 20–22, 2026.

We are looking for engaging sessions on special education, secondary transition, family engagement, conflict resolution, behavioral and mental health supports, IDEA protections, student voice, advocacy, and Spanish-language special education topics.

Summit Focus Days:
📘 October 20: Special Education
🎓 October 21: Secondary Transition
🌎 October 22: Special Education — Spanish

Parents, self-advocates, educators, advocates, service providers, community partners, and professionals are encouraged to submit proposals.

🗓 Proposal Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2026

Submit your proposal here:
https://forms.gle/my7NczTzBPcKSLkAA

Help us empower families, elevate student voice, and strengthen special education partnerships across Illinois!

05/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who helped make yesterday’s HB5605 Subject Matter Hearing a success.

The hearing before the House Human Services Committee was a very important step forward for Community Supported Living. Families, advocates, providers, and supporters came together to present a strong and coordinated message about the need for a clearly defined 24-hour community-based support option for individuals with the most complex needs.

The testimony highlighted several key themes:
• Current services are often fragmented and difficult to coordinate for people with intense medical, behavioral, or physical support needs.
• Families are carrying enormous responsibility, often filling gaps in the system themselves.
• HB5605 is intended to create greater structure, accountability, continuity, and true community-based living options within the existing waiver system.
• The bill is not about replacing existing services or forcing anyone to move. It is about creating an additional option for individuals whose needs are not fully supported today.

Committee members from both parties were highly engaged throughout the hearing. Many of the questions focused on DHS and the current system’s limitations, which helped further elevate the conversation around the need for long-term system improvements and sustainable community-based supports.

Several legislators expressed interest in the challenges families are facing, the lack of stable options for people with complex needs, and the importance of building supports that work in real life — not just on paper.

Most importantly, the hearing demonstrated that our message is being heard. The stories, testimony, and lived experiences shared yesterday made a real impact.

Please continue reaching out to your legislators and requesting meetings whenever possible. Even short conversations help build awareness so that if HB5605 comes up during session discussions or conversations with colleagues, legislators already understand the purpose of the bill, the gap it is addressing, and why Community Supported Living matters to families across Illinois.

05/08/2026

04/01/2026

More information:

Just ahead of Autism Awareness Month, a skating rink in St. Charles is introducing a new mission centered on inclusion.