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CC Newsletter August 2019
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COMMUNITY CHOICES

monthly newsletter  //  august 2019
IN THIS ISSUE:
spotlight - mark's life in the community
participant survey
staff announcements
leap on disability beat
cc august happy hour
pool party thank you
save the date
parkland study group
social opportunities
transition workshop
arc webinar 
 
There's a lot to cover, so don't forget to view the entire message! (Sometimes you have to click "view clipped message") 
 
SPOTLIGHT - MARK's LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY!
Way back in August of 2017, Marc started volunteering at Clark Lindsey retirement home washing down and clearing off tables. Mark worked very hard to learn his new job and soon became a fixture in the dining room to both staff and residents. Then, early this June, Mark received what should have been some bad news. Clark Lindsey was restructuring the way the dining room was cleaned and that left no room for his volunteer position. While the news was disappointing, there was a bright spot. The staff and residents so enjoyed Mark’s cheerful presence and hard work that, without hesitation, his supervisor decided to try him out as a volunteer activity aide. Mark continued to work hard at his new position and thanks to the support of all his coworkers, it has been a big success! His supervisor says “Mark certainly is enjoying this new position and the one on one he gets with his “favorite” residents brings a huge smile and laughter during his time here”.

Mark has also started his own co-op club that meets once a month at his house.  With some initial support from Community Choices and continued support from his family, Mark runs one of the best karaoke afternoons around!  Having a full life includes creating and growing connections with others through shared experiences. Mark, you’ve done a great job, building something fun for you and your friends! 
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! COMPLETE THE PARTICIPANT SURVEY!

 

Once per year we ask everyone who participates in our organization to complete a quick survey about how we are doing!

  • Is everything is going great? ---Please tell us, it helps us know what to keep doing! 
  • Things not going well? ---Please tell us, we can't get better if we don't know where we've dropped the ball. 
  • Got ideas for what you'd like us to focus on? --- Share them! No suggestion is a bad one!

We believe that the services available in this community should be shaped by those who use them, so please feel free to share your experience and give your feedback! 

The survey is online and will take most folks less than 10 minutes to complete. 

Complete the Survey HERE

The Survey is designed for both participants with disabilities and their involved family members. Please encourage everyone in your family who is involved to complete it!
COMING UP & GOING ON
EXCITING STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS AT COMMUNITY CHOICES!

I am excited to announce that Hannah Sheets will be taking on the newly created role as Associate Director of Community Choices! 

As our co-op has grown, our programs have evolved, and the administrative load of managing those programs has increased, it was time to invest in some additional organizational leadership and support.

This new role will be housed within the Connect Department, where Hannah will serve as the “Lead” staff in our Connect Department. She will also take on the additional organization leadership roles of overseeing the Human Rights and Quality Assurance committees along with other projects and overall organization management.

We are incredibly enthusiastic and excited with this change and the additional capacity that it creates within our cooperative to refine our programs and supports. 

For those of you who know Hannah, I am sure it will be easy to see her in this new role. And for those of you who don't, I look forward to you having that opportunity soon!

-Becca
 

A message from Hannah: 
I love working at Community Choices!  I'm excited to move into a new role that allows me to continue working in the Connect Department and also become more involved in the administrative growth of CC.  As always, all of you have an open offer from me to get coffee and chat about what's going on in your life. I like connecting with people and I'm here if you want to bounce some ideas off someone, problem-solve, or just chat about your favorite tv show or cute animal pictures!
Other Staff Updates:

The next time you’re in the office please take a moment to introduce yourself to Karli, the newest member of the staff! She’s working primarily working with people and families using HBS funding, but she’s excited and eager to meet you all! 

And last, but not least - We are excited to wish Ashley Withers, our Lead Employment Specialist, off on a happy and healthy maternity leave this month! Ashley will be taking three months to welcome the newest member of her family starting the 16th. Jon and Jenny will be covering most things in employment while she’s gone with some outside help where needed Please contact Jon or Becca with any of your employment questions!
HEAR ABOUT LEAP on DISABILITY BEAT!

In late July, Lead Employment Specialist, Ashley Withers was interviewed by Vicki Niswander on WEFT’s weekly show, Disability Beat. We discussed the LEAP training, what sort of information it can provide to Champaign County employers, and the success we’ve had in certifying over 75 area businesses as we go into our 5th year of funding. We also briefly discussed the upcoming minimum wage increase here in the State of Illinois, and the worries about how that May effect employment opportunities for job seekers with disabilities. 
 

CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW HERE
COMMUNITY CHOICES HAPPY HOUR!

Community Choices is hosting a special Co-Op Happy Hour in August! Co-Op Happy Hours are relaxed social gatherings for EVERYONE including CC members to build relationships that strengthen the cooperative spirit we all love about this organization. Come have a drink, relax, and get to know each other!
 

Date: Thursday, August 8th

Time: 5:30pm-7pm

Location: Riggs Beer Company, 1901 S High Cross Rd, Urbana

 
THANKS TO THE GORSUCH'S FOR HOSTING OUR POOL PARTY!

Community Choices would like to thank the Gorsuch Family for hosting the Annual Pool Party! The summer pool party at the Gorsuch family home is something CC members look forward to every year. Everyone truly enjoyed the welcomed reprieve from the summer heat in the Gorsuch’s pool! We are also grateful to everyone who brought a dish to contribute to the potluck. Thank you all for your hospitality!
SAVE THE DATE  - CHILI COOK OFF & MURDER MYSTERY DINNER!

The fall is almost upon us (where does the time go??), which means that it’s time to start thinking about the Chili Cook Off and Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraisers!
 

Please mark your calendars for these great events and important fundraisers!

 

Want to help us make them even better? Join our organizing teams by contacting Becca - becca.communitychoices@gmail.com // 217-840-4580

  • Chili Cook Off - Sunday, Sept. 29th, 12-2pm - Ambucs Park
  • Murder Mystery Dinner - Saturday, Oct. 19th, 6:30-8:30pm - Lake of the Woods Pavilion
     
AUGUST SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
CC MEMBERS with disabilities are welcomed to join us for our August Social Opportunities! This months we'll be up to the following: 
 

Fighting Illini Football Practice

Taste of Champaign

Trivia Night @ Jupiter’s

Lunch Club @ Scotty’s Brewhouse

 
Need to RSVP or want more Info? Contact Kaitland at:
kaitland.communitychoices@gmail.com // 217-419-6222
HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY
GET READY FOR TRANSITION!
The Regional Planning Commission, The Champaign Co. Transitional Planning Committee, and the Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center are organizing a training on the Steps Toward Transition out of School!

High school-aged youth and young adults and their parents are invited to attend this free educational training on the transition from school to adult life, where you will learn about the importance of parent involvement and high expectations. This training provides an overview of the transition process as part of a student’s IEP.

Participants will receive instruction about:
  • Strategies on the development of “soft skills” and preparation for employment
  • Rights and responsibilities related to post secondary education or training
  • An overview of independent living options to consider, including community involvement and leisure and recreation
 
Monday, September 23, 2019 6-8:15pm
Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion Rooms A & B)
200 W. Green Street Champaign, IL, 61820
 
Register Online HERE
CHECK OUT UPDATES FROM DHS - ARC's LUNCHTIME WEBINAR 
Registration is now open for The Illinois Life Span Program of The Arc of IL Lunchtime Webinar – IL DHS, DDD Update and Q & A on Aug 13, 2019 12:00 PM CDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2912796916967166732

Webinar Title: Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Update and Q & A

The following describes the content that will be shared by each of the webinar presenters.

Kathy Ward, Acting Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities Illinois Department of Human Services Ronnie Cohn, Ligas Court Monitor
  • State of Ligas Case
  • “Reasonable Pace” for PUNS selection
  • Compliance Monitoring
  • Implementation Plan
  • Seeking input from families regarding concerns and barriers
Donna Frownfelter, PT, MA, DPT, CCS, FCCP, FAPTA, Chair, Ligas Advisory Committee & Parent
  • Development and purpose of Ligas Advisory Committee
  • Current summary of feedback from families that has been shared with LAC
  • Plans/goals for Townhall Meetings/Presentation
  • How to connect with LAC to share experiences and barriers or to participate
Shirley Perez, Director, Ligas Family Advocate Program & Parent
  • Role of Ligas Family Advocate Program
  • Services offered by LFA program
    • Know Your Options events
    • One-to-one support and consultation regarding HCBW services and navigation
    • Informational webinars and call-in series
    • Providing parent-to-parent connection
  • How to connect with regional LFA’s
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COMMUNITY CHOICES     44 E MAIN, SUITE 419    CHAMPAIGN, IL     61820