Family Sibday

Check out the Chicago Tribune tomorrow for an article on Family Sibday. This is a program that 3 other social service agencies and I developed over 4 years ago. Don't live in Chicago check it out on line : http://www.chicagotribune.com/

I also found another interesting site today. http://therword.org/

Arc Post

The Arc of Illinois

July 2, 2009

Leaders in The Arc:

This morning The Arc Board, Staff and Exec's met to discuss next steps in restoring the cuts to human services.

Here are some things you can be doing as the Human Services Coalition crafts its statewide plan.

See the memo at the end about 4th of July Parade actions to consider this weekend!

Tony Paulauski
The Arc of Illinois
815-464-1832

Our message to legislators and the press continues to be: "We need a permanent long term solution to the budget crisis. Please support HB 174. Restore 100% of the cuts to human services."

Other talking points:

The "doomsday" budget will eliminate services for 30,000 infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Community non-profits are economic engines in their communities. We support the local economy. We pay taxes. We employ residents. We support people and families.
Did you know that the "doomsday" budget which will devastate our disability services is losing $731 million in Federal Medicaid Match within the Division of Developmental Disabilities?
Illinois ranks 51st in small community housing.
Illinois ranks 47th in community disability services funding.
Here is what the loss of services means to me..
Here is what the loss of services means to my family..

Here is a summary of possible next steps for action.

The Arc will:

Work to defeat the override of SB 1197.
Work to pass HB 174.
Work in coalition with the Human Services Coalition.
Work with the coalition on a statewide media plan.

Local advocates can:
Email me the numbers of people being laid off and the number of people losing services. I will share that data with the Governor and the Leaders.
Ask the people being laid off and the people losing services to visit their State Representative and Senator and ask them what they should do now.
You should visit with your Representative and Senator and inform them face to face that you had to lay off # number of employees and end services for # of individuals.
Work to defeat the override of SB 1197.
Work to pass HB 174.
Meet with your Representative and Senator now that they are in their local offices.
Develop an economic impact statement on the number of lost jobs lost in your community because of budget cuts. Also include a statement about how large your organization budget is, number of people employed and number of persons served.
Develop a statement on what will happen to people who lose services. Stress that you are actually saving taxpayers money because the institutionalization of the people we support will cost taxpayers three times the cost of economical, safe and effective community services.
Share these statements with the press and legislators.
Continue letters to the editor.
Support the efforts of the Human Service Coalition.
Here are some excellent suggestions from Barbara Weiner about actions at the 4th of July parades and legislators in them.

From: Barbara Weiner Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 6:50 PMTo: CEOs of the Legal Consultation Program
Subject: July 4th - an opportunity to tell your story

The Legislature should be working on the budget crisis. 4th of July parades are an excellent opportunity for you to bring these issues to your community. If you State Rep or State Senator voted for the tax increase-hold up signs saying _____ Agency or the (mentally ill, developmentally disabled or children) of ___County thank you for your support.

If they did not- point it out and hold up signs when their car passes by about turning their backs on the most vulnerable in our community. "Put back "Human" in Human Services" and other sayings. Ideally, clients and their families will get in the spirit and make themselves known and the impact of the cuts. Clients with signs "Why don't you care about me?" or "Where I am suppose to go?"
The Legislators need to see the faces of the people they are harming. Urge your employees to participate.
Waiting until mid-July to begin this process again is unacceptable and further demonstrates they do not understand the impact of what has occurred already.

It would be nice to get away from this for one day, but this is an opportunity to bring the message home.

If you get any good publicity or feel this makes a difference, send me an email afterwards.

We are in this together. With all of the energy of all of my dedicated clients and their employees we should be able to prevail.

Barbara A. Weiner
513 Central Avenue
5th Floor
Highland Park, Il 60035
847-266-2040

Disability related events in July

Hi sibs...here are some events that you might like to meet up with others at
and/or bring your sibling to. If you are planning on attending any of these
events please let us know on this listserv. For the disability pride parade
a good place to meet would be in front of the Sidley Building on Dearborn,
just south of Madison St. There are nice benches for people to sit. If
anyone is planning on going let us know as Katie one of our members can meet
up with you to show you where the post parade celebration will be or you can
just walk on your own to the Daley Plaza.
  
To: SIBS—Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters
 
There are three events in July that you may be interested in attending. 
Feel free to spread the word to others.
 
July 12th at 12:30pm in the Pierce Hall Auditorium at the First United
Methodist Church in Chicago — 77 W. Washington Street
Erasing the Distance: The People I Know is a 90-minute theatrical experience
capturing the heartbreak and hope associated with mental illness, featuring
five true stories performed by professional actors.  This thought provoking
performance will spark discussion, so plan to stay for the post-show
dialogue.  Food and drinks will be provided prior to the performance and
mental health resources will be shared.  This event is in partnership with
the Fine Arts Committee.  Please make accommodation requests at least one
week prior to performance by contacting Katie at kkeiling@uic.edu or
312-505-0136.
 
July 24th from 6-9pm in the James Parlor at the First United Methodist
Church in Chicago — 77 W. Washington Street
The Disability Community Open Mic is an annual event where people in the
disability community come to listen and share their thoughts, poems, and
writings about the disability experience.  This is a fun way to learn about
disability culture and we strongly encourage members of our congregation to
attend.  Food and drinks will be provided during the event.
 
July 25th is the 6th Annual Disability Pride Parade! 
Come watch the Disability Pride Parade—bring your family and friends!  The
overall mission of the Disability Pride Parade is to change the way people
think about and define disability; to break down the internalized shame
among people with disabilities; and to promote the belief in society that
disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity that people
living with disabilities can take pride in.  The parade kicks off at 11am
from Van Buren St and marches north on Dearborn to Washington St , ending at
Daley Plaza . About 40 disability groups and organizations march in the
parade and anyone is welcome to watch and cheer.  There is a fun post-parade
celebration with music, performance, and speakers in Daley Plaza .  There
are also exhibit booths where The Chicago Temple will have a booth to share
information about our church.    
 

A float in the Disability Pride Parade
 
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