In The News

State Housing Modification Grant Increases, Successes & WCICIL A program that modifies homes for those with disabilities has been bigger in 2008. WCICIL and Two Rivers Regional Council are partnering to administer grants serving Adams, Brown, Pike, and Schuyler Counties. "The real success of this program is that it allows individuals to remain in their homes that would otherwise have to be put in nursing homes" said an WCICIL ILS Staff. "Sometimes just a ramp or an accessible bathroom modification has made a huge difference to those I work with in our regional area" he added.	~~~	A Disability Mentoring Day to Remember	~~~	WCICIL Home Sevices & Re-Integration Co-Ordinator
		Josh, a 16 year old Macomb high school Junior, took part in a unique mentoring experience on September 24, 2007. Josh, who is blind, was able to spend the morning with Patricia Bissell, an Independent Living Specialist with WCICIL, to learn about her career and what she does on the job. Patricia, who is also blind, was able to give Josh a unique perspective on her employment and how she has adapted to being blind.
For those interested in applying for the IHDA State Grant Program, contact WCICIL at 217-223-0400 ________________________________ WCICIL Youth Sevices Specialist Dustin Gorder is the Youth Services specialist for the West Central Illinois Center for Independent Living in Quincy. Gorder will be responsible for the coordination of youth programming, accessing resources for students and parents regarding Individual Education Plans (IEP) and 504 plans for educational needs. Gorder is also available as a liaison to assist in navigating the special education system within the WCICIL’s six county area for students with disabilities. Gorder received his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Quincy University in 2003. ___________________________________ Board of Directors announce WCICIL Executive Director On March 28, 2007, the WCICIL Board of Directors proudly announced the new WCICIL ExecutivesDirectorahGlendasZFarkasy.SThe new Executive Director was warmly received by the WCICIL staff and local press, who highly anticipated her appointment. WGEM TV interviews Glendasky ______________________________ WCICIL OUTREACH DIRECTOR Ryan Jansen began at WCICIL as an Information and Referral Specialist, but now has the position we believe is the most challenging one in the agency. Starting April 16th, Ryan is the WCICIL Outreach Director. For further details, please contact our Outreach Director, Ryan Jansen at (217) 223-0400, or cilod@adams.net ___________________________________ Scholarship Program for College Students with Disabilities The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars announced it will help students with disabilities through an academic internship program. Click Here for more info ___________________________		The highlight of the day was when Josh and Patricia (along with her guide dog Whisper), traveled to Galesburg where they were interviewed together on a half hour live radio program (WGIL Galesburg 1400 AM). Josh, who has had a long standing interest in ham radio, got a hands on tour of the radio studio. Josh and Patricia spoke like seasoned pros during the interview. They discussed a number of topics including what employment with the CIL is like, Josh's high school program, and adaptive equipment advances for the visually impaired such as screen reading programs, braille writers, and bar code readers. Josh also spoke about his desire to train for and enter into a possible career in tech support and development of screen reading software products. The day was a wonderful success and will likely be an event Josh remembers for years to come! ______________________________ Quincy Noon Kiwanis Awards Funding To WCICIL For Youth Services The Quincy Noon Kiwanis awarded $250 to the West Central Illinois Center for Independent Living for their Youth Services. This generous award was used to purchase educational and entertainment items plus a carrying case to transport them. These items will be used for the youth to provide an enriched learning and entertaining environment during meetings scheduled between the Youth Services Specialist and their parent(s). NEW WCICIL SUPPORT GROUPS A CROSS DISABILITY SUPPORT GROUP Every first Thursday, at WCICIL from 10am - 11pm For further details, please contact our Outreach Director, Ryan Jansen at (217) 223-0400, or cilod@adams.net Low Vision Support Group First Thursday of the month at WCICIL from 10am to 12pm For further details, please contact our Blind Services Co-Ordinator, Patricia Bissell at (217) 223-0400, Ext. # 15 or cilblind@adams.net ____________________________ WCICIL WINS ETC COMPUTERLAND GIFT PC Dean La Velle shakes hands with WCICIL's Executive Director during presentation of GIFT PC. ILS Staff also attends event GIFT is a monthly computer and technology giveaway sponsored by ETC ComputerLand to benefit local charitable and service organizations which are tax exempt under IRS 501(c)(3). GIFT is their way of acknowledging our individual responsibility to the ever-expanding technology needs of our community and their dedication to corporate philanthropy GIFT is 100% exclusively funded by ETC ComputerLand. Visit them at www.etccomputerland.com or see them at: Quincy, IL Location - 3206 Kochs Lane , Quincy, IL 62305 (217)228-6180 or (888) 333-2563		Jenny Kelly is the new Home Services & Re-Integration Co-Ordinator for the West Central Illinois Center for Independent Living in Quincy. Jenny Kelly will be responsible for the coordination of home services, and accessing resources for Community Reintegration . Jenny is also qualified in Personal Assistant Training to improve the home services system within the WCICIL’s regional area for people with disabilities. Jenny Kelly received her bachelor’s degree from Quincy University in 2002. ______________________________ EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES If you or someone close to you has a disability or a special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency. A limited number of kits are available for Adams Co. thru WCICIL. Click Here for more info or call us at (217) 223-0400 _________________________ Volunteer Carpenters A WCICIL consumer is posing with the volunteer carpenters from the Mid-Central Illinois Regional Council of Carpenters who built this ramp for him in one day. This is one of two projects the union is planning on building this summer as a part of the Quincy Area Ramp Project. The cost of materials was covered by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area, the Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund. If you are interested in volunteering on a build you may call 223-0400 ext. 11. We can use the help! ____________________________ Incidence and cost of FAS "An estimated 27 million American children are at risk for abnormal psychosocial development due to the abuse of alcohol by their parents." (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services) Click here for cost calculator. The March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women do not drink ANY alcohol. None, Zip, Zero, Zilch. Questions?