Ligas Family Advocate Program

08/28/2026

The Arc Family Advocate Team on the move!!!
Annie Bruno, Central & Southern Illinois Family Advocate, is out and about today at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana for the Scott Bennett Family Resources Day. She's sharing resources and providing education about the PUNS waitlist. Stop by and say hi!
Ask, and we will be there!

08/12/2026

Register TODAY - Don't miss this Great In-Person Informational Event! - Please Share! Register Today use the link below:
https://thearcofil.app.neoncrm.com/forms/september-15-registration

Professionals — Strengthen Your Knowledge & Skills!
Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from Jay Bohn! Supporting families requires staying informed. Gain important updates, enhance your expertise, earn CEUs, and learn from experienced leaders who are helping shape disability services in Illinois.

Families — Get the Answers You Need!
Navigating the disability service system can feel overwhelming. Join us for a powerful half-day conference where experts will provide valuable information, answer your questions, and help you better understand the resources and services available to your loved one.

08/08/2026

"The Arc Family Advocate Program in the neighborhood!"

Today from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, something meaningful is happening right in our neighborhood—and it’s about more than just showing up, it’s about making a difference.

Join us at the 10th Ward Alderman’s Office, 10500 South Ewing Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617, where Veronica Salazar, a bilingual family advocate and dedicated member of The Arc of Illinois Public Policy Committee, is out connecting directly with the community.

Sharing information in every neighborhood is not just important—it’s essential. When families receive the right information early, it empowers them to make informed decisions, access vital resources, and advocate for their loved ones with disabilities. Our neighborhoods deserve access, awareness, and opportunity.

This is why the work of The Arc of Illinois matters so deeply. By bringing resources directly into the community, they ensure that every voice is heard and that our legislators understand the real needs of families they serve.

What better place to connect than at a Back-to-School event—where families are already gathered, preparing for the future?

Please stop by, learn more about The Arc of Illinois, and most importantly, share what issues matter most to you. Doing good in the neighborhood starts with showing up, sharing knowledge, and standing together.

08/05/2026

Registration is OPEN for the 2026 Mini Conference
presented by Family Support Network and Family Advocate Program
Register: https://thearcofil.app.neoncrm.com/forms/september-15-registration

September 15, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In Person Conference | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Alsip, IL

You Asked… and We Listened! Join Us for the 2026 Mini Conference.

Professionals — Strengthen Your Knowledge & Skills!
Supporting families requires staying informed. Gain important updates, enhance your expertise, earn CEUs, and learn from experienced leaders who are helping shape disability services in Illinois.

Families — Get the Answers You Need!
Navigating the disability service system can feel overwhelming. Join us for a powerful half-day conference where experts will provide valuable information, answer your questions, and help you better understand the resources and services available to your loved one.

Topics Include:

✔ Medicaid & waiver services
✔ SSI and Social Security benefits
✔ PUNS registration and the selection process
✔ Eligibility and next steps after selection
✔ Navigating the path to services with confidence

Hear From Experts Representing:
The Arc of Illinois
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
Social Security
Independent Service Coordination
Envision Unlimited
ACES$
Family Support Network
Family Advocate Program
This is more than a conference. It’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and feel empowered.

Vendors will be onsite to answer questions.

Register: https://thearcofil.app.neoncrm.com/forms/september-15-registration

07/31/2026

Join The Arc of Illinois for an Important In Person Min-conference, hosted by the Family Support Network and Family Advocate program!

SAVE THE DATE FOR AN INFORMATIVE IN PERSON CONFERENCE!

You Asked… and We Listened!
Mark your calendars for September 15, 2026, and join us for an exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together at our In-Person Mini Informational Conference. CEUs will be offered for professionals. Lunch included!

Location: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel – 5000 West 127th Street Alsip, IL
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

With so many important changes happening around Medicaid and other vital services, it’s more important than ever to stay informed.
That’s why The Arc of Illinois is bringing together knowledgeable experts and leaders to provide updates, answer your questions, and support our community.

✨ Featured Speakers:
• Jay Bohn – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
• Shahzaib (Shazz) Shakeel – Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security
Also Featuring:
• Samantha Alloway – Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois
• Patty O’Brien – Independent Service Coordination, Suburban Access Agency
• Eileen Morrissey – QIDP, SDA Director of Family Support Services, Envision Unlimited
• Tasha Whiteside – Illinois Program Director, Aces$
• The Arc of Illinois Family Advocate & Family Support Network Team
These dedicated professionals will be on hand to share valuable information, provide updates, and answer your questions, creating a space where we can all learn and grow together. Topics will include Medicaid, SSI and Social Security benefits, how to sign up for PUNS , eligibility and what to expect after being selected, including the process of applying for waiver services.
This is more than just a conference—it’s an opportunity to stay informed, feel empowered, and strengthen our community.
Registration details and additional information coming soon—stay tuned!

We look forward to seeing you there!

07/16/2026

The Arc of Illinois Senior Family Advocate Ruth Aguilar and her colleagues are happy to join Access Living and the Disability and Immigration Taskforce of Illinois (DITI) for a free two-day hybrid conference focused on disability and migration.

Send a message to learn more

06/27/2026

More from The Sensory Playdate 6.27.26

With dedicated leaders like Arc of Illinois Senior Family Advocate, Ruth Aguilar and Tareema Jean-Baptiste from StarNet, our children’s futures are filled with promise and possibility. Their passion and commitment remind us that we are moving in the right direction.
At The Arc, we remain deeply committed to supporting families across every corner of the state—empowering each one to grow, thrive, and become the very best they can be. Together, we are building a brighter, more inclusive future for all!

Send a message to learn more

06/25/2026

JOIN THE ARC OF ILLINOIS

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠
Monday, June 29, 2026
12:00–1:00 PM CT
Register: https://qr.link/EgrcGC

There’s been a lot of conversation lately about Olmstead and what recent federal actions could mean for people with disabilities and their families.

We know this can feel confusing, especially when legal decisions, federal memos, and disability rights protections are all being discussed at once.

Join The Arc of Illinois for a clear, practical conversation about where things stand, what people should know, and why protecting community living still matters.

06/20/2026

Hello Fellow Advocates,
In case you are not aware, I want to bring to your attention a recent development that could impact many individuals with disabilities and their families.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a legal opinion that challenges long-standing protections supporting the right of people with disabilities to live in their homes and communities rather than in institutions. This directly conflicts with established legal precedent, including the Supreme Court’s support for community-based living.

Civil rights experts warn that this opinion could weaken requirements for states to provide home and community-based services. If allowed to stand, it may lead to increased institutionalization of people with mental, physical, and intellectual disabilities.

This should concern all of us—especially families who rely on waivers, are on waitlists, or currently receive home and community-based services.

Now is not the time to “wait and see.”
Take action today:
Contact your state and federal legislators
Ask them to speak out and protect community-based care
Share this information to raise awareness - I just did!

Our voices matter. Advocacy is critical to ensure that individuals with disabilities continue to have the right to live with dignity, independence, and inclusion in their communities.

Learn more here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-disability-opinion-community-care/
Thank you for standing up and speaking out.

The Office of Legal Counsel opinion released Thursday said states aren't required by law to integrate mentally disabled patients with their peers by providing community or home-based care.

05/14/2026

The Arc remains committed to sharing resources and information across the state, ensuring that individuals and families have the tools they need to build strong, successful futures.

On this beautiful evening, our dedicated Bilingual Family Advocate, Veronica Salazar, is on-site connecting with over 150 families at the Waukegan High School Special Education Cookout and Resource Fair. She will be available until 6:00 PM at the Jane Adams Center in Waukegan, Illinois, providing valuable information and support.

We are truly grateful for the opportunity to serve, connect, and empower our community