Community Service Options, Inc.

10/08/2026

Medicaid Redetermination Assistance

Cook County Health offers assistance at several locations for individuals and families who need help with Medicaid redetermination.

📍 Visit the website below for available dates, times, and locations:

Cook County Health – Medicaid Redetermination Assistance
https://cookcountyhealth.org/redetermination/

Please share with anyone who may benefit from this resource!

Medicaid Redetermination Information Redetermination Events We can get copies of your Medicaid renewal forms and help you complete them! If you have the

10/08/2026

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 31 children is diagnosed with autism. This neurodevelopmental condition is complex and deserves our respect and understanding. It is not an epidemic or a preventable disease. Autism exists on a spectrum, meaning it presents both challenges and extraordinary strengths.

At The Arc of Illinois, we believe that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be recognized for their valuable contributions, not stigmatized. Misinformation and fear do not help families; they only harm them.

We must confront and reject harmful narratives that dehumanize those with autism. It is our responsibility to foster a culture of understanding and inclusion, where every person is valued for who they are.

Let’s be clear: autism is not something to be cured or feared. It is a journey filled with growth, talent, and unique perspectives. Together, we must advocate for a future that uplifts and embraces every individual, regardless of neurological differences. 🧡

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

📣 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐃𝐃 & 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭!

📅 November 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
👉 Register today: qr.link/veh7El
📄 View the brochure: qr.link/uJmcIA
All The Arc of Illinois events: qr.link/QwIJbL

Join The Arc of Illinois for a jam-packed day of practical information, valuable resources, and conversations about supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their mental health.

Session Spotlight
“Navigating Crisis Supports: Understanding Services and Finding the Right Help”
Presented by 𝐊𝐢𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐳, 𝐋𝐂𝐒𝐖, and 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞 of the Illinois Crisis Prevention Network

When a behavioral health crisis happens, knowing where to turn can feel overwhelming. Kim and Amie will help make the options clearer, including what crisis support services offer, when they may be the right fit, and how individuals and families can access help.

More presenter and session announcements are coming soon!

10/08/2026

Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed October National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Illinois.

Throughout the month, IDHS is recognizing the contributions of people with disabilities in the workplace and highlighting the importance of expanding access, opportunity, and inclusion in employment.

We’ll share IDHS programs, services, and resources that support people with disabilities in pursuing their employment goals, along with resources that help employers build more accessible and inclusive workplaces.

Read the proclamation: https://bit.ly/3TCMtDj

10/01/2026

The Family-to-Family Health Information Center at The Arc of Illinois will host the “Family-to-Family Fall Symposium: Uniting Healthcare, Advocacy, and Disability” via Zoom on Oct. 1 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. The symposium will offer six online sessions.

This one-day conference is for family members, self-advocates and professionals who care for people with any type of disability or chronic medical condition. While some of the presentations focus on children from birth to 22, much of the information applies to all ages and stages.

Our Home Care Family Outreach Associate, Erica Stearns, and Assistant Director of Research and Practice Initiative – Title V Programs, Dr. Ebonie Zielinski, are among the presenters.

Join Ebonie for “Ready Together: Emergency Preparedness for Families with Complex Needs” from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Explore essential planning considerations for power outages, evacuations and service disruptions. The session will wrap up with a family panel and a question-and-answer session.

Erica will present “Advocacy in Action” from 11:45 to 12 p.m. Hear how family-led advocacy efforts are making a difference.

You can also dive into topics, including:

- School services and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy

- Disability programs and family advocacy

- Services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

- Medicaid appeals and insurance

This virtual symposium is free for families and self-advocates.

Visit https://zurl.co/uRooN to find more details.

10/01/2026

Please join us in congratulating our Employee of the Month, Lauren! 🥳 🎉

There are many things that can be said about Lauren's character that demonstrates her great character, but to keep it short:

Lauren creates a friendly and welcoming environment for all current staff and oncoming employees.
Impeccable and thorough Discovery Tools.
Incredibly knowledgeable about PAS and ISC roles, meaning that she is able to assist all non-managers in the work environment.

From what it seems, Lauren is also highly productive and incredibly dependable. Lauren seems to encompass what it means to be an ISC.

Congratulations, Lauren, on being named CSO’s Employee of the Month! Thank you for all that you do!

10/01/2026

Father Engagement In Families Of Children With Special Needs
featuring:

Children & Family Connections #9, the 21st Century Dads Foundation and the Special Fathers Network

Held by Zoom
October 2, 2026
12:00-1:30pm

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Dads, Parents, Caregivers & Professionals
PROGRAM:
There will be two sessions each featuring two SFN Mentor Fathers, a panel presentation followed by a breakout discussion:
1) Dad Meet Up Groups
• John Shouse
• Chris Mallette
2) Being Emotionally Present
• David Barth
• Allan Shedlin

REGISTRATION:
Is FREE, but you must register in advance by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/3pemtnx4. Each participant will receive a Great Dad Coin & other resources.

09/16/2026

Thanks to a donation from the Sertoma Club of Springfield, IATP has 10 SafeAwake Bed Shakers to give away. The SafeAwake is a fire safety device that awakens deaf, hard-of-hearing, and other individuals to fire emergencies.

The device is designed to work with a properly installed, working smoke alarm to alert sleeping individuals to a fire. The Springfield Fire Department will deliver and install the devices at no cost.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this device and live in Springfield, IL, please call IATP’s Reuse Program at 217-522-7985 to see if you qualify.

09/16/2026