Family
Support Network
of Illinois
Family
Support Network
of Illinois
For a PDF version click Here
On Friday, Oct. 2nd, members of the Family Support Network met with Director Lynn Handy of the Division of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for the Department of Human Services (DHS), members of her staff, and an impressive group of legislators. Among her many responsibilities, Director Handy supervises the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs run by DHS. Joining us in this meeting was Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Larry Bomke, Rep. Mike Smith, Elgie Sims from Senator Emil Jones, Jr. office, and Ed Welk from Rep. Lee Daniels office. Sen. Jones is the Minority Leader for the Senate and Rep. Daniels is the House Minority Leader. This was a very impressive group of people and quite a coup for the Family Support Network!
Senator Rauschenberger traveled from Elgin to Springfield for this meeting! He is a strong supporter of these programs and a great ally for us to have.
The purpose of our meeting was to discuss a plan to eliminate the waiting lists for the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs over the next three to four years. Our goal was for the Department of Human Services to include this plan in its proposed budget before it goes to governor this fall. If we can get this in the budget before it even goes to the Governor, we're 90% there! Very exciting!
We believe we accomplished everything we could hope for in that meeting.
We believe Director Handy is also a strong supporter of these programs and we have given her a tool; our strong message to Howard Peters, "The waiting lists for the Family Assistance and Home Based Support Services Programs must be eliminated."
As we were told after the meeting, we are definitely taking the right steps by keeping pressure on the Secretary and the whole department. We need to keep the pressure on.
Our request to you is that you visit your legislators, share this information with them and ask them to write letters of support for this plan to Secretary Peters. Ask them to copy those letters to Director Handy and their (the legislator’s) Staff Appropriations Director.
Please contact Charlotte Cronin today! I will supply you with the additional information you need to talk to your legislator.
Remember, no one tells our stories like we do. There are 4,377 individuals and families on the waiting lists for the Family Assistance and Home Based Support Services Programs. There are just under 1,200 families and individuals currently enrolled.
We can grumble and groan. We can shake our fists at the sky and bemoan the priorities of the State of Illinois. But, if we won’t take the time to tell our stories, whom do we have to blame? Only ourselves.
This is incredibly important. We may never have a chance like this again. Please help. More information inside!
Following are the facts and figures you will need to talk to your legislators. If you would like more detailed information, please call Charlotte Cronin at 309-693-8981 or e-mail her at CharlotteCronin@home.com.
- The Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs were created by House Bill 69, sponsored by Rep. Lee Daniels, in 1989. When applications were opened in 1990, about 6,000 persons applied, and 570 were selected, using a random selection method. In 1993, additional funds were appropriated and another 500 persons were selected from among the original applicants.
- In 1994, the program began accepting applications again and previous applicants were required to reapply. More than 6,000 persons applied; funding permitted selection 143 people to be selected. In 1997, funding enabled the Department to enroll an additional 230 children; in March 1998, another random drawing was held to enroll 141 more children. Just a few weeks ago, the middle of October, 100 adults were randomly selected for the Home-Based Program, with the expectation that 90 would qualify.
- As of June 9, 1998, there are a total of 1,155 individuals with disabilities and families with members with disabilities enrolled in the Family Assistance or the Home-Based Support Services Programs.
- The enrollment of the Family Assistance Program includes 502 families of children with developmental (DD) disabilities and 117 families with children who have severe emotional distress (SED).
- The enrollment of the Home-Based Support Services Program is 366 adults with DD and 170 adults with mental illness (MI).
- The current waiting list totals 4,266 including 2,235 adults with DD or MI and 2,031 children with DD or SED.
Our plan calls for the enrollment 500 new children and 500 new adults each year for the next four years (total of 4,000). The estimated costs for the programs would be as follows:
|
Budget Estimates |
Home-Based Services |
Support Program |
Totals |
|
Fiscal Year 1999 |
$4,295,600 |
$6,328,400 |
$10,624,000 |
|
Fiscal Year 2000 |
6,673,600 |
10,651,900 |
17,325,500 |
|
Fiscal Year 2001 |
9,862,600 |
16,475,400 |
26,338,000 |
|
Fiscal Year 2002 |
13,111,600 |
22,412,900 |
35,524,500 |
|
Fiscal Year 2003 |
16,420,600 |
28,468,900 |
44,889,500 |
|
Fiscal Year 2004 |
$17,311,600 |
$30,050,400 |
$47,382,000 |
Illinois’ Fiscal Year starts July 1st and ends June 31st. Strange as it may seem we are now in Fiscal 1999 as far as the state of Illinois is concerned. These figures are based on a 9-month "phase-in" of new enrollees. In other words after the budget is passed, it takes the department about three months to get new enrollees selected, qualified, and enrolled…i.e. actually receiving support. These figures also include an estimated $80,000 increase that will occurs each year as the stipend for the FAP and the HBSSP is increased according to statute.
|
Our Accomplishments in the Last Two Years. |
|
Summer 1997 |
230 new families enrolled in the Family Assistance Program |
|
Spring 1998 |
141 new families enrolled in the Family Assistance Program |
|
Summer 1998 |
50 new families enrolled in the Family Assistance Program |
|
Fall 1998 |
90 new adults enrolled in the Home-Based Support Services Program |
January 1999! |
200 new families to be enrolled in the Family Assistance Program |
January 1999! |
200 new adults to be enrolled in the Home-Based Support Services Program |
Was your family one of these? Write us and tell your story!
The Family Support Network learned just yesterday, Dec. 22, that new enrollment in the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Service Programs will be taking place in January.
Ed McManus, Coordinator of the two programs for the Department of Human Services, called the Family Support Network office late yesterday afternoon to announce this wonderful news. We pulled our newsletter back from the printers in order to share it with you. The Department of Human Services has made an unexpected decision to enroll a total of 400 new individuals and families in the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs. This is a 33% increase in enrollment and will be done with Fiscal '99 dollars!
264 children will be chosen with an expected enrollment of 200 and 254 adults, also with an expected enrollment of 200.
Our heart felt thanks to Governor Jim Edgar, DHS Secretary Howard Peters, Division of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Director Lynn Handy, Ed McManus, and all our fellow advocates who have fought with us for expansion of these programs!
Happy Holidays! And here's looking for a wonderful New Year!
On Saturday, September 19th, the Family Support Network was excited to join other disability advocacy organizations in hosting a forum for candidates in the fall election. Our goal was to provide an opportunity for candidates to share their views on disability issues. Invited were candidates for Governor, Secretary of State George Ryan, Republican, and U.S. Representative Glenn Poshard, Democrat, and the candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. Senator Carol Mosely-Braun, Democrat, and IL. Senator Peter Fitzgerald, Republican.
Neither gubernatorial candidate was able to attend but sent their running mates for Lieutenant Governor, Mary Lou Kearns (for Glenn Poshard) and Corinne Woods (for George Ryan). Senator Mosely-Braun was unable to attend because of pressing business in Washington, DC. Representative Fitzgerald never responded to any of the multiple invitations to attend he received.
The Candidate’s Forum took place on a beautiful fall day at the Evanston Civic Center with close to 200 advocates in attendance. Advocates took the opportunity to educate the candidates on disability issues and try to get commitments for the future. Questions ranged from wages for direct care workers to issues concerning the recent early intervention reorganization. The Family Support Network asked questions regarding increased funding for the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs. Neither candidate felt familiar enough with the programs to make a commitment. They both expressed their belief in the importance of the family and wanted to learn more. The Family Support Network also took the opportunity to educate the candidates on the importance of funding following the individual or family so the individual or family has real power in choosing the supports most appropriate for them.
The outcomes of the forum have been wonderful. Advocates were able to demonstrate the voting power of their constituency to the candidates. Candidates were educated on a wide range of concerns and advocacy groups had an opportunity to become personally acquainted with two individuals, one of whom became our new Lieutenant Governor (Corinne Wood).
Our thanks to these many advocacy groups for participating in this event and including us; the Arc of Illinois, the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, Family T.I.E.S., the Illinois Assistive Technology Project, the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, People First of Illinois, Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois, and United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois.
The Lending Libraries Catalog for Illinois Foster and Adoptive Parents lists books, videos and audio cassettes that are now available for loan up to three (3) weeks. The resources in these libraries were researched, selected, and paid for by the Child Welfare Training Institute, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. There are eight libraries located around the state. The materials are available to all licensed Illinois foster and adoptive parents. For more information or to find the location of one of these libraries call the Child Welfare Training Institute at 217-785-5689.
Building on the success of our Candidate’s Forum, the Family Support Network was pleased to again join with fellow advocacy groups to meet with future Governor George Ryan. On Sept. 28, we traveled to downtown Chicago and met in Secretary Ryan’s campaign headquarters. The meeting was organized by Don Moss and Sue Suter and included representatives of a large number advocacy organizations, including our colleagues from the Candidate’s Forum and a number of service providers.
Advocates agreed upon a unified theme of "self-determination" for the meeting. Under that theme, a wide range of concerns for the future were raised. A broad spectrum of issues were discussed again including such topics as wages for direct care workers, assistive technology, and early intervention services. Some participants brought up the need for a total reorganization of how services are delivered in Illinois.
The Family Support Network took the opportunity to educate Secretary Ryan on the impact of disability on individuals and families, how fragmented services are in the state of Illinois and the need for expanded funding for the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs. We also pointed out that, although the term "community-based services" sounds warm and fuzzy and politically correct, it still leaves individuals at the mercy of a fragmented system where services may or may not be available in a community and are often spread too thin to do anyone any good. Providers are forced to divvy up services and individuals and families are forced to rely on the good intentions the provider. They have no real control. We told the future governor, "Real self-determination is funding that is tied to the individual or family."
Editors Note: The following story is part of an ongoing series we like to include in each of our newsletters. These are stories about how the Family Assistance and Home-Based Support Services Programs have impacted individuals with disabilities and/or mental illness and their families. If you have a story you would like to share we would be honored to include it. Please contact Charlotte Cronin at 309-693-8981. This very real woman is from Central Illinois and has asked that her name not be used.
Mental Illness can strike anyone. I was voted most likely to succeed in high school. I was Salutatorian and graduated from Illinois State University in 1973. At 23, I was working as a School Librarian and my mother was dying of cancer. This is when I had an exhaustive nervous breakdown. I was labeled an Acute Schizophrenic. I've been called many different psychiatric labels. Over the next nine years, I had treatment sessions with private psychiatrists, was hospitalized on the psychiatric ward at least 10 times, attempted suicide twice, and obviously had difficulty holding down a full-time job. The first time I tried suicide, I took 29 sleeping pills, plus other pills, and locked myself in the house on a Monday evening. When I didn't come to work Tuesday, they called my stepmother. By the time they got me to the hospital, I had stopped breathing. I do know depression. Of course, when I quit sleeping for a couple of days, I know the manic side of my illness. It took a very wise woman psychiatrist to diagnose me and get me on the right medication. My correct diagnosis of my illness is Bipolar or Manic Depression.
I struggled with having enough money for medical insurance. I've never had trouble paying for medicine as some have because I qualified for a medical card. But I didn't always get the best of care since I had a green card. I never went hungry and always had a place to live because of my dad or brother. I struggled to pay bills and fell under the trap of credit cards to some extent. I've learned to be wise in using them and do not have a major credit card. But I get applications in the mail all the time for them. I've lived on unemployment, teacher aide's salary, and CEDA jobs. I've had it easy compared to some people I know.
Between 1982 and 1983 I became totally unemployed and wasn't taking care of my home or myself. I had two more hospital stays that summer and my father stepped in and had me admitted to a nursing home. I lived at the nursing home a total of seven months, attended a day treatment program and moved into a group home. From there I progressed to an apartment program where I lived alone. I continued with the day treatment program and volunteered my time at a grade school library. From there I moved into a house owned by my brother. I kept active with church activities and volunteered with our public library. Then, in 1989, I was courageous enough to sign up to substitute in our public schools.
In about 1990, I got a flier in the mail to sign up for the Home-Based Support Services Program. I had no idea what this program was about. But it mentioned helping with going to work, so I returned it in the mail. I really didn't think much about it after that. I was notified that I was on the waiting list for Home-Based Support Services Program. In April of 1991, I was accepted to the program. I had no idea how useful and wonderful this program would be to my life. To me, this support program is a precious gift from God. I wish more people could be as fortunate as me.
In the Fall of 1991, I took 2 sociology courses from our community college. That was one of the first things I used my money for. I love to go to school, (it's a teacher addiction) and never had the extra money for tuition when on SSI or Supplementary Security Income. Going to the Community College was healthy for my mind instead of just watching TV. I continued to take courses at our community college until I graduated with a Child Care degree in July of 1994. A month later I was hired by Head Start and am still working there. Nine months of the year I work with 34 preschoolers that are very active and keep me so challenged. I get very exhausted but I know I'm needed by these inner-city children.
One very valuable item I get from the Home-Based Support Program is counseling. I see a Christian counselor, Anita, and she is a stable force where as psychiatrists seem to come and go in my town. I can reach Anita at home and she knows me very well by now. When I had my hysterectomy, she noticed changes in me that I didn't. She encouraged me to see a different psychiatrist and helped me to continue to function at work. Anita and I pray together after each meeting. I respect her opinion and we are friends.
The Home-Based Support Services Program has changed my life in that I'm able to afford eye glasses, dentistry, and so many necessary health related things that my salary or SSI would have trouble paying for. I've gotten vitamins that were recommended by a psychiatrist. I've had a bridge, 5 crowns, and 2 root canals done by my dentist.
I was able to go places by cab places before getting my car. That was very helpful for my family and helped me feel more independent. After I started working at Head Start, I saved money through a PASS program to buy a car. I got a used car in July of 1995. I hadn't driven in 12 years. Aren't you glad you didn't live in my town and had to be on the streets with me those first few months?
The Home-Based Support Services Program has helped me with housekeeping. This is an area of my life that I get overwhelmed with. This was my downfall before going to the nursing home. A high school friend, that is also a teacher, has helped me clean, pitch, and organize my house. We've done this a few summers. She gives me that push and motivation I need. I have trouble deciding what to pitch and what to keep. We have just spent this last week together. She's a saint for not wanting to kill me. Debbie is a hard worker and my house looks so much better when we're done.
One of my happiest days was my birthday last year. My case manager, Kayla, helped me get a computer. The Mental Health Center paid the computer company and we paid them back in monthly payments until it was paid for. I also took another community college course this spring semester about computers. I told you the Home-Based Support Services Program is a gift from GOD. I got my computer on my birthday which is Christmas Eve. What better Birthday and Christmas present from God. I use my computer for many things I use the internet to research my Genealogy, which has been a hobby of mine for 30 some years. I use it to write letters, etc. I correspond with other Christian women on a mailing list. I have many friends with computers, so we keep in touch this way. I make greeting cards on my computer. The Home-Based Support Services Program has bought some software and books for computers. I'm thinking of taking another computer course in the fall. I am so excited to have this computer.
I have trouble controlling my weight. I've gotten exercise equipment from the Home-Based Support Services Program. I've purchased tapes for the Weigh Down Workshop with money from the Home-Based Support Services Program. I'm fighting the battle of the bulge that I've fought all my life. With the medication I take plus my sedentary life style, this is a definite problem in my life.
Kayla and I are looking into getting me a camera as photography is also a hobby of mine. I'm really looking forward to that. Kayla has been just wonderful in helping me spend my allotted money wisely. I’ve had so many special case managers from our Mental Health Center.
The Home-Based Support Services Program is cost affective. It is cheaper to pay the services I get than to house me in a nursing home. I'm sure I could have slipped back into the mind set of fantasy without my doctors, medication and counseling. I also have recreational items like the computer. I know of other people with my condition that are in need.
Yes, I was voted most likely to succeed. I even voted for myself. I haven't found the cure for cancer even though at one time in my illness, I thought I might as well do that along with everything else I was trying to do in my life. I've struggled with Manic Depression and I have succeeded. I've fought my way back to sanity. I am a teacher and that's what I've always wanted to be. I work and pay taxes like anyone else. I still qualify for SSI. I know a Gift from God and I plan to keep it.
MOM WOULD BE PROUD.
An important goal of the Family Support Network is providing up to date information to its members and providing opportunities for our members to network with and learn from each other, policymakers and other supportive individuals. Often we are contacted by organizations requesting the use of our database or labels for flyers announcing educational meetings and conferences.
In response to those requests and the concerns of the Family Support Network to protect the privacy of its members, the following policy was adopted at the Sept. 15, 1998 meeting of the Steering Committee.
Information will be shared in the form of labels only for events and conferences that support individuals with disabilities and their families. The organization must be an advocacy organization with values consistent with those of the Family Support Network.
The organization must sign an agreement promising that no copies will be made of the labels, the labels will only be used to inform members of the specified conference or event, and information provided on the labels will not to be shared with or used by any other organizations.
If you prefer not to have your name and address shared in this manner, please contact Charlotte Cronin at 5739 W. Martindale Lane, Peoria, IL 61615, 309-693-8981 voice, 309-693-8962 fax or CharlotteCronin@home.com e-mail. We will respect your decision.
We always need financial support. Lots of small expenses come up that aren’t covered by our grant dollars, The list is endless. If you believe in the mission of the Family Support Network, if you dream being enrolled in the Family Assistance or Home-Based Support Services Programs, if you are lucky enough to already be enrolled please help us. We are incredibly strong together. But, we must act together. We must support each other. Please support us with your dollars if you can.
We need your time and energy. Following is just a few of the specific talents and time we are searching for. Each one is critical to our success. Being an active member of the Family Support Network is an exciting and powerful experience. Please volunteer your time.
Be a Team Leader. We need individuals in each legislative district that are willing to contact other FSN members and organize visits with their legislators. Our legislators need to hear our stories and make funding for these programs a priority. Will you help?
Do you have media experience, a journalism background? Do you have film experience? We are trying to develop a media campaign with a structure of press releases, editorials and public service announcements. Can you help?
Do you have skills writing grants? We need you!
Every donation is used to help us accomplish our mission: To support families in their home. "There's No Place Like Home". Do you want to live at home? Do you want to keep your family together? Join us!
