Meeting for parents of special-needs kids

As a parent of a special needs teenager, in a state which is 47th in the nation in providing education and services to children and young adults with special needs, if a meeting is organized by a local legislator to meet with a key decision maker in human services in the state, you take advantage of the opportunity to go to it.

One such meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan 3, from 7-9 p.m. at the Schaumburg Township Center in Hoffman Estates. The meeting is organized by state Rep. Michelle Mussman, to allow for an open discussion with Kevin Casey, the new director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities, within the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Special needs parents, educators and service providers are welcome to come and voice concerns, but more importantly, provide ideas on how to improve human services in Illinois.

The meeting is sponsored by Schaumburg Autism and Ups for Downs. Being a parent of a special-needs child, I have, as many other parents have had to do, battle with state agencies and legislators for years to get their attention on special needs issues. Special needs issues have been neglected and ignored for years, especially in an area that has one of the biggest Special Olympics programs in the nation and an ever increasing amount of special needs children and young adults in the school districts.

It’s great to have a legislator and state human services director who want to help our families. If they are taking the time to organize this meeting, take the time to attend on Tuesday, Jan 3rd at 7 p.m. at the Schaumburg Township Center.

Due to limited seating, please RSVP to (847) 923-9104 or staterepmussman@gmail.com.

Mike Baker

Schaumburg