2012 TRANSITION CONFERENCE MINI-SESSIONS:

DD Homes   

The DD Homes network is comprised of several independent organizations each providing  r esidential services in a specific region of the state.  DD Home is a quality focused network dedicated to providing exceptional residential services to adults with developmental disabilities and other cognitive impairments within a highly respectful, activity-rich, well managed and caring environment.  Come hear about what the state of ICF/DD and CILA funding is.

 Benefit Help Solutions - Sherri Schneider

SSI, SSDI, IDPA, DHS:  Navigating the Alphabet Soup of Government Benefits.  This interactive informative session will focus on government benefits, eligibility, what's new, what's true, and how benefits change over someone's life span.

Special Needs Legal and Future Planning - Brian Rubin Attorney

Parent to Parent, Heart to Heart Presentation

When you have a child with special needs, planning for that child's future can be an overwhelming task.  Where do you begin?  Who has the answers?  How do you find an attorney who understands the financial, legal and Illinois Governmental complexities of the special needs' world?  Attorney Brian Rubin, for more than 29 of his 34 years in practice, has dedicated his career to special needs legal and future planning, because, he too, is a parent of a child with special needs.  Brian's son, Mitchell, now 30, has Autism.  Presentation topics include:  Government benefits, Wills and Trusts, Adult Guardianship, Navigating the maze of State Services when the bus stops coming and more.

Independent Futures – Margaret Tanenberg

Learn about the services that Independent Futures provides.  Difficult questions will be explored such as:    How do I plan for the future?  Where will my child live and work? What tools are available to teach independent living skills?   Independent Futures provides many different consultative steps to help families with areas such as public benefits, community living options, full life future planning, family coaching and independent living skills tutoring/support service.

Keeping Transition Planning and Services from Falling Through the Cracks - Matt Cohen Attorney

Learn about the basics of transition planning and setting up a program of supports that will assist the student without setting them up for future failure as they transition into the world. 

Trinity Services - Supported Employment

 Learn about Trinity services and their supported employment program.

 Planning Ahead:  Essential Skills to Teach Now in Order to Maximize Independence Later -Jenifer   Russell 

 Jenifer works for Trinity Services in the Autism and Resource Center.  Her presentation will focus on assisting parents in identifying skills that would be beneficial to teach prior to a student transitioning to adult services. 

Bringing You Protected Tomorrows – Mary Anne Ehlert

 As family members of a person with a disability, we so often tend to view life in light of the challenges presented to us.  Bringing You Protected Tomorrows looks at our lives in a whole new light, as Mary Anne Ehlert provides a passionate glimpse of her life with her sister, Marcia.  The presentation will be uplifting and entertaining, as well as provide a good basic understanding of some important facts.  Participants will develop the foundation for their family’s own personal Eight Step Future Care Plan TM.  Some topics of discussion include:  how to create a map of the future; how to prepare legally and financially; how to incorporate and maximize government benefits; how to prepare for transition; and how to communicate your Future Care Plan TM to your family.

Life’s Plan, Inc. - Scott Nixon

Life’s Plan Inc. is a trustee service that offers financial planning and life care services to people with disabilities of any age.  Life’s Plan Inc. manages special needs trusts in a pooled investment for meeting the supplemental services needs of people with disabilities and the elderly without jeopardizing the state and federal benefits. 

Cornerstone Services Inc.

Cornerstone Services provides progressive comprehensive services for people with disabilities promoting choice, dignity and opportunity to live and work in the community.  Come hear about the services they provide in the areas of residential living options, developmental training, community services and employment services.