Secretary Quintero, Director Piephoff take tour of Little City

Little City was pleased to host the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services Dulce Quintero and Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Tonya Piephoff for a campus tour on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

The two state leaders toured Little City’s 56-acre Palatine campus, visiting the dynamic children’s homes designed especially for those with the highest needs, the Center for Employment & Business Opportunities and other programs that give children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) the opportunities and support they deserve.

Prior to the tour, Little City Chief Executive Officer Marie Newman and staff met with Quintero and Piephoff to discuss the importance of mental health services in the I/DD community, funding gaps, and the potential to work more closely with state agencies to help make Illinois a leader in serving the needs of the I/DD population.

“Secretary Quintero and Director Piephoff are exceptional leaders who have a genuine passion and commitment to working with agencies like Little City to help Illinois deliver the best possible services to those with developmental disabilities,” Newman said. “With issues ranging from funding to capacity, we are eager to work together to create a better future for those we serve and the many Illinois families who are in vital need of support.”

Little City serves nearly 1,100 adults and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities, providing residential, educational, recreational and vocational services. With locations in Palatine, Schaumburg and Grayslake and a foster care and adoption program that serves families from Chicago to Joliet, Little City brings vital programs to people throughout the state.

A closer partnership with the Department of Human Services and Division of Developmental Disabilities can help agencies like Little City throughout Illinois address the growing issue of families who have no choice but to leave the state to find vital services for their loved ones. With a collaborative approach, Little City can be a part of a solution that helps children to seniors with developmental disabilities receive a full spectrum of services from residential support to mental health care.

For information about Little City, visit https://littlecity.org.