Workforce Services Livingston Workforce Services provides employment assistance to:

- persons who have lost their jobs through closings or layoffs

- low-income individuals working or not

- youth ages 14 to 24, with a barrier to employment

Services include scholarship opportunities, paid internships, and job search assistance. They are offered at no cost to qualified

individuals.

Workforce services can aid qualifying individuals with assistance for education/training towards high growth, in demand

occupations. Funding is designed to train people in short-term certificate or associates degree programs. Scholarships may be

awarded up to $12,000 and training may be approved for up to 3 years. The grant is easy, at no cost, and would potentially give

students the opportunity for further education.

Training Assistance is available for: · Allied Health: CNA, LPN and RN -Criminal Justice - HVAC

· Welding -Automotive - Industrial Electrical Technology

· Administrative and Business - Truck Driving - And Many More

Transition “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

What is Transition Talk? This Newsletter is a joint venture between Livingston County Special Services Unit (LCSSU) and the Livingston County Transition Planning Committee (TPC). It is intended to be a source of information, discussion, and current practice in the field of transition services, and is being distributed to families, schools and local businesses involved with our special education students in Livingston County. As students with IEPs reach the age of 14 ½, a legal process begins called “Transition Planning”. This is a time with students’ preferences, interests and wishes are considered in planning a road map from school to adulthood. While most 14 year old students do not know what road they wish to follow, they can, nevertheless, begin setting goals, making choices and using self- management skills. As student move into high school, their transition plans become more refined and curricula choices often reflect a vocational and/or an academic focus. Knowing where to live, where to continue an education, and where to access community resources are all a part of planning a “Transition Talk”. We hope that this newsletter serves as a useful resource for you in your transition process!

Talk

PROGRAM OF THE MONTH:

1

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

2

What is PUNS?

2-3

Spring | 2019

Training is offered at community colleges, trade schools or

career centers throughout the State. Please visit

https://livingstonworkforcesverices5.weebly.com/

Contact Allyson Saxton for more information.

211 E. Madison Room 222 Pontiac IL 61764

* 309-268-8280

livingstonworkforceservices@gmail.com

Coffee Anyone?

➢ PUNS stands for

Prioritization of Urgency of

Need for Services.

➢ PUNS is a list of the people

in Illinois with developmental

disabilities who need services.

It is for everyone who may need

help from the government to

pay for developmental

disability services now or in the

future.

Have questions about PUNS?

Call Illinois Life Span at

1-800-588-7002

or www.illinoislifespan.org

You can also call DHS at 1-888-

DD-PLANS.

If you want more information

about PUNS or Home-Based

Services,

Go to the Family Support

Network at

www.familysupportnetwork.org

WHAT IS…?

In the Spotlight

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Often, when you see Prairie

Central Teachers, Kim

Hasty and Katie Ricketts,

they will be supervising their

students at their classroom-

based business, Coffee

Express. It is exciting to

see how streamlined this

process is due to all of the

hard work and dedication

that Kim and Katie have put

in to preparing the students

in their classroom for the

world of work.

In fact, Kim and

Katie recently presented

at the Career and

Technical Conference in

Tinley Park to share their

experience. It was a

wonderful presentation

that kept the audience

engaged and asking

questions.

Kim and Katie

showed the correlation of

the IEP goals and

components of the CTE

standards that drive their

activities. They

demonstrated how the

tasks required to run.

Coffee Express are

differentiated to meet the

skill levels of each and

every student in their class.

This presentation was so

well received that they have

been asked to present at

another conference to

address collaboration

between special education

and career and technical

classes.

The members of

the TPC and the LCSSU

Transition Team would like

to commend Kim and Katie

on all of the things they do

to provide vocational skills

to their students.

More about PUNS PUNS is the first step toward getting services in Illinois. If you are not on the PUNS list, you are not on the

waiting list for services.

To get on PUNS, you need to set up a date to meet with a Pre-Admission Screener. These screeners will ask

questions about you and your needs. These questions are part of the PUNS survey. All screeners work for

Independent Service Coordination Agencies or ISC’s. To get on the PUNS list, you must have a

developmental disability. If you don’t know if you have a developmental disability, the screener will help

you.

When your PUNS survey is done, you are on the list. This doesn’t mean that you will get funding for the

services you need. It just means that you have taken the first step in the process.

Some of the services that people may need are: o In-Home Supports o Respite Care o Job Coaches o Group

Homes o And many others ➢ There is not enough money to give everyone in Illinois the services they

need. People on the waiting list are assigned a priority level so that those with the greatest need are selected

first when funding is available.

Don’t forget to update your PUNS form every year. Only people (families) who have completed the PUNS

- and keep it updated - have a chance of getting selected to receive services.

There are documents on the Illinois Department of Human Services website that have more good

information about PUNS. PUNS Program Brochure: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32444

Understanding PUNS: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=47620

Presentation on supports available

once selected from the PUNS list

Who: All guardians, parents, families, and students who are currently on the PUNS list. Students or

parents who are interested in being placed on the PUNS list. Educators, professionals, etc. PUNS (Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services) is a statewide

database of individuals with developmental disabilities who are in need of services.

About: Megan Mutti, from the ARC of Illinois, will give an informational session on

CILA services, Home-based Supports, ICFDD, Supportive Housing, I-CILA, and related services and supports.

Maria Burkhart from CISA will also be on hand to enroll or update individuals on the PUNS list! If enrolling on the PUNS list for the first time, please bring a copy of your most current IEP/Re-Eval and

Social Security Number.

Cost: Free!

When: Tuesday April 30th, 2019, 6:00pm (presentations last 1-2 hours)

New Location!: The Chateau 1621 Jumer Drive, Bloomington, IL

Please park in the back of the hotel, enter though the conference center doors, and follow the signs to the Bonaparte room.

RSVP to Emily Kull at: ekull@roe17.org or by phone at: 309-888-5120 x1210

Presentation on supports available

once selected from the PUNS list

If you have additional resource to add, please send them to Kim Hughes at khughes@lcssu.org

Agency Targeted Students Services

Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS/DRS) 207 S. Prospect Road Bloomington, IL 61704 PH: 309-662-1347 Department of Human Services (formerly Public Aid) 501 W. Washington St. Bloomington, Il 61701 PH: 309-451-6000

Disabled; LD, physical, hearing, vision, EMH, mental illness,

emotional, ADHD.

Disabled/Low Income

This agency should be contacted first for any possible services after high school: education, training, supportive employment services, job counseling and/or residential placement. Provides financial, medical assistance, and food stamps to eligible persons.

Junior College – Offices of Support Heartland (HCC) 309-268-8249 IL Valley (IVCC) 815-224-2720 Joliet (JJC) 815-280-2230 Kankakee (KCC) 815-802-8482 Lincoln (Bloomington) 309-268-4321 Parkland (Champaign) 217-353-2338

May enroll in an associate or transfer program. May assist in identifying similar departments at other educational institutions.

These departments provide tutoring, study skills workshops, and academic accommodations (note takers, interpreters, lab aides, etc.) for students with disabilities. Students who are seeking basic literacy and/or GED should contact the Adult Education Department.

Livingston County Mental Health PAS Agent 310 E. Torrance Avenue, PO Box 504 Pontiac, IL 61764 PH: 815-844-7708

Students with significant disabilities The PAS agent determines eligibility for services that include residential placement and day training programs. This agency must be contacted prior to seeking such services.

Social Security Administration 207 N. Williamsburg Dr. Bloomington, IL 61701 www.socialsecurity.gov TOLL FREE: 800-772-1213

Students who are disabled or blind This agency is responsible for providing Social Security Income (SSI) to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living requirements, and are otherwise eligible.

Futures Unlimited, Inc. 210 East Torrance Avenue Pontiac, IL 61764 www.futuresunlimited.org PH: 815-841-1122

Developmental disabilities Helps people acquire the skills they need to live successfully in the community -Residential Support Services -CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrange.) -Respite Services -Developmental Training -Employment Services, Job Placement, and Supported Employment

Livingston County Housing Authority 903 W. North Street Pontiac, IL 61764 PH: 815-844-6013

Low income This agency provides low income public housing, administers Section 8 Housing Voucher program which subsidizes rent of privately owned housing.

Life Center for Independent Living LIFCIL 318 W. Madison St Pontiac, IL 61764 PH: 815-844-1132

Students with any type of disability This agency promotes local, state, and national advocacy, educates persons with disabilities about their rights, and provides support services. LIFCIL also provides info about disabilities, disability benefits, housing choices, and more.

Livingston County Workforce Services 211 E. Madison St Pontiac, IL 61764 PH: 309-268-8283

Students seeking employment This agency handles resume assistance, interview tips, and how/when to seek employment, as well as, access to and training in IL Skills Match Services. This is a

valuable resource for anyone seeking employment.

Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (A.I.R.) Pontiac Parks and Recreation 900 N. Elm St. Pontiac, IL 61764 (815) 844-6818 (815) 844-6631

Individuals whom are unable to have their therapeutic recreational needs met by traditional programs are eligible to participate in A.I.R. programs.

A county-wide therapeutic recreation program which focuses on the personal development of individuals who are unable to participate in a traditional recreation program. The A.I.R. program promotes the four aspects of health (physical, mental, emotional, and social) through various activities focusing on physical development and athletics, leisure activities, and fine arts.

A local Transition Resource Fair is being hosted by ACES of Woodford County, the Arc of Illinois, and Investment Strategists Special Needs Planning. The event will take place at Black Partridge Day School in Germantown Hills, IL, on April 16, 2019, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. We know it can be difficult to plan for what opportunities and needs might be ahead when a teen or young adult with developmental differences is in high school. We are bringing together several speakers and providers to share information and help you begin developing a plan for what might be available as you move through the years of transition (14 – 22 years old) and beyond. We are focused on helping families access services that support those with developmental differences to live a full life within their community, fully included and engaged. The event is open to students and families in all districts.

Following the presentations, participants are encouraged to talk with the Developmental Disability providers, share needs, get questions answered, and learn about options for building a life after

high school.

Pontiac Township High School

7th Annual Run For Respect 5K and 1 mile Fun Run/Walk Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 10AM Help us Spread The Word To End The Word by replacing the r-word with the

NEW r-word RESPECT! All proceeds from the Run for Respect benefit Pontiac Township High

School’s Special Olympics and Peers In Action programs. THIS YEAR’S THEME IS ROCK RESPECT!

RACE: - Accurately measured chip timed flat 5K which begins and ends at Pontiac Township High School - 5K starts at 10:00am and 1 mile walk starts after the 5K runners take off (on the high school track) - Water stop at mile 2

AWARDS: - 5K, overall male/female and male/female age groups

REFRESHMENTS: Light refreshments provided.

REGISTRATION/ENTRY: 5K and Fun Run Participants registering by 4/7/2019 will receive a dry-blend t-shirt. No guarantees for shirts after 4/7/2019.

Adult 5K/1 mile run $20.00 (nonrefundable) ($2.00 discount for Lake Run Club Members) Students 5K/1 mile run $10.00, includes college students (nonrefundable) - $25.00 same day registration for all Team : Come as a team (3 or more) and Earn Special Recognition and a Team Plaque! TEAM NAME______________________________________________________________________ CHECK-IN & SAME DAY REGISTRATION: 9:00-9:45am at Pontiac Township High School. No registration after 9:45am.

LAST NAME ___________________________FIRST NAME___________________ Male/Female

ADDRESS _________________________________CITY____________________ STATE_______

ZIP__________ E-Mail _____________________________________ PHONE___________________

AGE________ (On April 13, 2019) BIRTHDATE _______________

CIRCLE THE EVENT YOU WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN: 5K Run OR 1 mile Fun Run/Walk CIRCLE T-SHIRT SIZE : Youth: S M L OR Adult: S M L XL 2XL

_______ $20.00: 5K/1 Mile Adult Entry Fee _______ $10.00: 5K/1 Mile Student Entry Fee _______ TOTAL ENCLOSED – Checks payable to PTHS

Send registration form(s) with payment to: PTHS, Laura Baumgardner, 1100 Indiana Ave., Pontiac, IL 61764 or online at

https://signup.itsracetime.com/Race/Register/IL/Pontiac/RunForRespect Upon accepting my application and in consideration of allowing me to enter this event, which I agree is at my own risk and entirely of my own free will I hereby for myself and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, waive, release, and discharge City of Pontiac, Pontiac Township High School, race organizers, race volunteers, sponsors, and promoters from any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any losses, injury, or other damage sustained in any activities during or surrounding the event.

SIGNATURE _________________________________________________________________ DATE _____________

*PARENT SIGNATURE NEEDED IF UNDER 18 ________________________________________________________________________________________

For additional information contact Laura Baumgardner at Pontiac Township High school at (815)844-6113 or lbaumgardner@pontiac90.org

US Cotronics, Fairbury, IL Ace Hardware, Dwight, IL

Forrest Library, Forrest, IL Berkots Super Foods, Dwight, IL

Eagles Nest, Forrest, IL Humane Society, Pontiac, IL

Slagel Manufacturing, Forrest, IL Rupprecht Concrete, Pontiac, IL

Fairbury Fastner & Supply, Fairbury, IL Dwight Grade School, Dwight, IL

Prairie Central High School, Fairbury, IL Carroll Woods, Pontiac, IL

Dominy Library, Fairbury, IL Scott Block Family Farms, Flanagan, IL

Fairview Haven, Fairbury, IL Zehrview Farms, Graymont, IL

Rhoda Farm and Trucking, Fairbury, IL Total Tree Service, Pontiac, IL

PC Primary East, Chatsworth, IL Dairy Queen, Pontiac, IL

PC Primary West, Chenoa, IL Flanagan Library, Flanagan, IL

The Old Log Cabin, Pontiac, IL Wal-Mart, Pontiac, IL

Pontiac Township High School, Pontiac, IL Woodland School, Streator, IL

Central School, Pontiac, IL Tri-Point Bus Garage, Cullom, IL

Accolades, Pontiac, IL

Livingston County Sheriffs Department, Pontiac, IL

Brunton Trucking, Pontiac, IL

McDonalds, Pontiac, IL

Anthony Liftgates, Pontiac, IL

Taco Bell, Pontiac, IL

County Market, Pontiac, IL

ATR, Pontiac, IL

Pontiac Boys and Girls Club, Pontiac, IL

Livingston County Special Services Unit, Pontiac, IL

Livingston County Transition Planning Committee

Maria Deason, LCSSU Transition Coordinator

Kim Hughes, LCSSU Transition Specialist

Pam Posey, LCSSU Transition Specialist

Kristal Shelvin, LCSSU Clinical Services Supervisor

Dawn Mack, Pontiac Township High School

Angela Thomas, Pontiac Township High School

Heather Christenson, Pontiac Township High School

Katie Ricketts, Prairie Central High School

Kim Hasty, Prairie Central High School

Mary Alice Kane, Flanagan – Cornell High School

Julie Hadden, Woodland High School

Will Patterson, Tri-Point High School

Amy Steidinger, Tri-Point High School

Melissa Harri, Dwight High School

Cathy Fatigante, Dwight High School

Beth Anderson, Livingston County Crossroads Academy

Chris Myers, Livingston County Mental Health/LCCCY

Alisha O’Boyle, Livingston County Mental Health

Emily Kull, ROE/DRS

Joan Carlson, Mosaic

Shannon Dohleman, Futures Unlimited

Maryssa McCoy, Pontiac Parks and Recreation AIR Coordinator

Linda Tesdal, Heartland Community College

Shannon Tarkowski, LifeCil

Darci Contri, Division of Specialized Care for Children

Shelley Peck, Parent Advocate

Dr. Karla Doepke, The Autism Place

Kelly Barnes, Resource Link

Lori Lee, Livingston County Housing Authority

Tricia Bruebaker, Work Force Services

Alyson Saxton, Work Force Services

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

World Autism

Day

3 4 5 6

7

8 9

Workforce

Services

Prepare for

the Fair

10:00 211 E Madison,

Pontiac

309-268-8280

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19

Workforce

Services

Prepare for

the Fair

12:00 211 E Madison,

Pontiac

309-268-8280

20

21

Easter

22 23 24 25

26 27

28 29 30

PUNS

Presentation

6:00 p.m.

The Chateau 1621 Jumer Dr.

Bloomington,

IL

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

5

6

Workforce

Services

Prepare for

the Fair 1:30

211 E Madison,

Pontiac

309-268-8280

7 8 9

Job Fair 10:00-12:00

900 N Elm St.

Pontiac, IL

61764

309-268-8280!

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23

24 25

26 27

Memorial Day

28 29 30 31