Ligas Family Advocate Program

03/28/2026

The Family Advocate Program on the move!

Our Central and Southern Illinois Family Advocate, Jerin Olson, had a great time attending Riverton’s annual Parent University on Friday evening!

It was a wonderful event filled with valuable resources, opportunities for connection, and support for families in the community. Events like this truly highlight the power of coming together to learn, share, and grow.

It’s always so great to see Abbi Mars with Family Matters PTIC and connect with others who are passionate about supporting families.

Thank you to everyone who made this evening so welcoming and impactful!

03/28/2026

Thank you from The Arc of Illinois FAP/FSN Director for joining us for the 14th Informational Seminar
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/0QwjgSxp_PAqyixZWDt_gSzY_Q9w166X1q3r1ajt5c_9koBZlHA1QFMOdge9dwZ6.YGrATz6A9HOpvEyf
Passcode: 14Seminar!

03/26/2026

"Committed to reaching every corner of Illinois!"

After a full day participating in The Arc FSN/FAP 14th Informational Seminar, on yesterday Annie Bruno continues to move forward with purpose and passion. Most recently, she had the opportunity to speak at the University of Illinois, invited by Teaching Assistant Professor Emily Tarconish, to present to her Introduction to Intellectual Disability class.

The class brought together a diverse group of students—freshmen through seniors—from a wide range of disciplines, including social work, special education, community health, and psychology. Annie provided valuable insight into the developmental disabilities service system, explained the PUNS waitlist, and highlighted key local and statewide resources available to individuals and families.

We are proud to continue building meaningful partnerships that expand awareness, education, and access across Illinois. Thank you to the University of Illinois for the opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation of professionals.
Go Annie!!!

03/19/2026

Hello Everyone!!!
Have you registered for the 14th Annual Informational Seminar yet?! You won’t want to miss this incredible event—there will be gift card giveaways, exciting surprises, and so much more! 🎁

📘 View the Brochure: https://qr.link/OGF4Na
📝 Register Here: https://qr.link/zLsZYx

The countdown is ON—just 6 days away! I am beyond excited for this opportunity to come together and connect with families, self-advocates, professionals, ISCs, SDAs, the Ligas Court Monitor, and of course our keynote speaker, DDD Director Tonya Piephoff!

You’ll hear important updates from our very own Executive Director, Samantha Alloway, along with insights from organizations whose services and supports continue to evolve. This is your chance to stay informed, engaged, and inspired by leaders across Illinois!

Why attend?
• Gain valuable updates and resources
• Connect with a powerful community
• Hear directly from state and organizational leaders
• Enjoy fun giveaways and a few surprises along the way!

🎟️ Cost: FREE for families and self-advocates (registration required)
📚 CEUs: Available for professionals
🚨 Please note: This event will not be recorded, so be sure to attend live!

Don’t miss out on this amazing experience—we can’t wait to see you there!!! Questions please contact Shirley at Shirley@thearcofil.org. Please share!!!

03/14/2026

March 2026 PUNS Selection

Hello Families and Self-Advocates,

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) recently conducted a March 2026 PUNS selection. If you or a family member are signed up on the PUNS database, we are pleased to share that you may have been selected to apply for services through the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in the State of Illinois.

If included among the more than 311 individuals selected, you will receive a letter in the mail from the Division of Developmental Disabilities notifying you of your selection. Please be sure to check your mailbox!!!!

Once you receive the letter, you are encouraged to contact your Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency, the gateway to services, to begin the process of determining eligibility and identifying the services and support that best meet your needs.

In addition to services provided through your ISC agency, IDHS also funds the Ligas Family Advocate Program to help ensure that individuals and families receive clear information about all available service options, in accordance with the requirements of the Ligas Consent Decree.

You will receive a letter from The Arc of Illinois Family Advocate Program inviting you to contact us so we can provide our services and support free of charge. Our contact information is included in the letter from the Division. We offer training, one-to-one consultations, ensure that you get connected to your ISC, and share information about all available service options to help you make informed decisions.

We look forward to supporting you and your family.

03/07/2026

Epilepsy Education Conference for Spanish-Speaking Families
“Empoderando a Nuestras Familias”
The Arc of Illinois’ Senior Family Advocate, Ruth Aguilar, is dedicated to advancing The Arc’s mission of sharing accurate and helpful information with families across the state of Illinois. She is out and about on this beautiful Saturday morning. She is here from 9:00 am - 1:30 pm.
Event Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Location: Instituto del Progreso Latino
2520 S. Western Ave., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60608

03/03/2026

Hello Everyone,
Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Informational Seminar!

📘 Brochure: https://qr.link/OGF4Na
📝 Register Here: https://qr.link/zLsZYx
The event is FREE for families and self-advocates, though registration is required. CEUs will be available for professionals.

We encourage you to attend this important event and hear directly from leaders in Illinois! Please note that a recording of this webinar will not be sent out.

This annual seminar is designed to empower families with practical information and tools to:
• Navigate systems
• Plan for the future
• Stay informed about policies and programs impacting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Illinois

If you have questions, please reach out to Shirley at Shirley@thearcofil.org.

We sincerely appreciate all of the speakers who will be sharing their time and expertise with us.

We hope to see you there!

02/24/2026

This bill is in honor of my colleague and friend's daughter! Please support!!! We can do this.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18LmFAfNos/

🚨 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐆𝐎 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 — 𝐊𝐢𝐤𝐢’𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐛𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟔!
Kiki’s Law protects the right to wear medical protective equipment in public 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 and prohibits discrimination for doing so.

Hearing: Thursday, February 26 at 9 AM. We need a strong show of support!

👉 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚 "𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭" 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐩: https://qr.link/QeMdVF
📋 Instructions: https://qr.link/vTFq5u
📝 Submit Written Testimony: https://qr.link/F2Sgwa

Last year, we generated 2,700+ witness slips.
🔥 Let’s beat that number and move this bill forward!

Share widely — post, text, email. Every slip counts.

02/13/2026

We are so grateful for strong partnerships across Illinois! ❤️

What can I say? This dynamic duo is at it again. Our Central & Southern Illinois Family Advocates, Annie Bruno and Jerin Olson, joined Family Matters this afternoon for the 3rd installment of their virtual Lunch & Learn series. Family Matters presented on Creative Secondary Transition Planning using Charting the LifeCourse to over 100 participants!

Join us next Friday, February 20, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, for the final Lunch & Learn session, where Annie and Jerin will present on Home and Community-Based Waiver Services. We would love to see you there!

02/12/2026

When we say committed, we mean it! Central & Southern Illinois Family Advocates Annie Bruno and Jerin Olson were on the road again last night—this time for a Listening Session in Centralia.

At The Arc of Illinois, we value your voice and your experiences. That’s why we are traveling across the state to gather feedback on the disability service system and learn directly from individuals and families.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to an honest and productive conversation about barriers, challenges, and the unique culture of collaboration in Southern Illinois.

Special thanks to Ann Yaunches, Executive Director of Southern Illinois Case Coordination (ISC agency), for her participation and collaboration. We truly appreciate your partnership and engagement in these important discussions.

We are here to hear you—because your voice matters.

02/07/2026

The Arc Family Advocates are on the Move!!!

This week, The Arc of Illinois Family Advocates Annie Bruno and Jerin Olson hosted in-person Listening Sessions in Peoria on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, and in Champaign on Thursday, February 5, 2026. We extend our sincere gratitude to all who attended and contributed to these important discussions. The candor, respectful dialogue, personal stories, and collaborative spirit demonstrated by participants made these sessions both meaningful and impactful.

We also wish to recognize Family Matters for their assistance in facilitating the Peoria session, and the Champaign County Developmental Disabilities Board hosting the Champaign session. Through partnership and active listening, we strengthen our collective ability to achieve positive outcomes.

In addition to these in-person events, Annie and Jerin partnered with Family Matters to deliver an online “Introduction to PUNS” presentation today, February 6, 2026, that reached over 162 participants. Their continued dedication to outreach and education is greatly appreciated.

We invite you to join them: Registration is required
In-Person | Centralia — February 11 at 4:00 PM
Interested in a Listening Session, please visit the Arc's Upcoming Events page to learn about more opportunities: https://www.thearcofil.org/events/category/arc-events/

12/13/2025