ABOUT THE VENDORS
ACES$
ACES$, Avenues to Consumer Employment Services and $supports is a consumer directed, community based non-profit organization. ACES$ provides fiscal intermediary services in order to maintain its mission of ensuring independence for individuals by allowing them the freedom to select their own personal care givers. Northern Illinois Office: ACES$ 16750 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, IL 60477; Central/Southern Illinois Office: ACES$ 830 South Spring Street, Springfield, IL 62704 Toll Free Number (877) 223-7781 Website:
Aetna Better Health
Aetna Better Health is a nationally-recognized leader with 23 years of experience in Medicaid managed care, serving more than 1.3 million beneficiaries in 12 states. In Illinois, Aetna Better Health manages the care for approximately 18,000 members through the Integrated Care Program, which serves older adults and adults with disabilities with Medicaid. It is designed to link primary care, specialty care, hospitals, long term care and community services for individuals based on their needs, strengths and expressed goals. Website:
Arc of Illinois
The Arc of Illinois and its chapters have always been in the forefront of strong advocacy positions for people with disabilities and their families. Much of the important legislation nationally and in Illinois is a direct result of the advocacy of The Arc. It is rare when any piece of public policy does not have the fingerprints of The Arc upon it. The Arc continues to be a strong grassroots organization with a rich membership of self-advocates, parents and professionals working together to achieve common goals.Website:
Blue Cap
Blue Cap is an organization that is dedicated to serving infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities through community-based educational, therapeutic, vocational and residential opportunities. Located in Blue Island, Illinois, Blue Cap offers a wide array of services dedicated to achieving personal growth and dignity for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Chicago and over 30 suburban communities. Blue Cap is an organization dedicated to the discovery, pursuit, and achievement of personal growth and dignity for individuals of all ages having or at risk for developmental disabilities. Website:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is the largest and most experienced health insurance company in Illinois, providing more than 6.5 million members with comprehensive and affordable health plans.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Our mission is to promote the health and wellness of our members and communities through accessible, cost effective, quality health care. For more than 75 years, we’ve provided our members with comprehensive, affordable health plans, making Illinois a healthier place to live, work & play. Website:
Chicagoland Autism Connection
The Chicagoland Autism Connection (CAC) is a not-for profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to increase autism awareness and improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism. Since 1997 the CAC has touched hundreds of families by providing tools to "shine the light" on the darkness of autism.With monthly parent meetings, the "Spring Fling for Autism Awareness" Resource Fair, a summer picnic and pool party, the fall "Night of Stars" Dinner Dance, and numerous other activities, the CAC strives to support families affected by this devastating neurological disorder and the professionals who work with them.Through its two divisions - the Chicago Southside Autism Support Group (CSASG) and the "A" Team Social and Recreational Club - CAC continues to work toward the fulfillment of its mission. Website:
Community Care Alliance of Illinois
CCAI is a not-for-profit, wholly-owned subsidiary of Family Health Network, designed to provide comprehensive, person-centered care locally for the Medicare and Medicaid population in Illinois, with guidance from national experts.The Community Care Alliance of Illinois is a health plan dedicated to consumer-directed, community-based innovative health services specializing in the care of seniors and persons with disabilities.Website:
CSH- The Source for Housing Solutions
Supportive housing is an innovative and proven solution to some of communities' toughest problems. Itcombines affordable housing with services that help people who face the most complex challenges to live with stability, autonomy and dignity.Supportive housing improves housing stability, employment, mental and physical health, and school attendance; and reduces active substance use. People in supportive housing live more stable and productive lives. Supportive housing costs essentially the same amount as keeping people homeless and stuck in the revolving door of high-cost crisis care and emergency housing. Supportive housing helps build strong, healthy communities by improving the safety of neighborhoods, beautifying city blocks with new or rehabilitated properties, and increasing or stabilizing property values over time. No one wants to be homeless. Supportive housing works. Website:
Envision Unlimited
For nearly 50 years the caring community of Envision Unlimited has served people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across all ages, abilities and backgrounds. We provide individualized approaches that offer hope and facilitate attainable opportunities through leading accredited programs.Envision is a dedicated, compassionate community that provides the best services to over 1,200 individuals. We measure our success by our clients’ progress, as we help children and adults realize self-identified goals and objectives. Above all, Envision is an advocate for the developmentally disabled community. We believe all individuals, given the right opportunities, are capable of achieving great breakthroughs and leading lives with more meaningful possibilities. Website:
Equip for Equality
Equip for Equality provides self-advocacy and legal help for people with disabilities in Illinois with no fee for services. It is the only comprehensive cross0disability organization serving people of all ages throughout the state. Advocates and attorneys provides information and advice to individuals to enable them to advocate n their own behalf. Projects include outreach to Spanish-speaking communities, a special education helpline, and help for beneficiaries of social security and self-advocacy education. Contact information: Main Office, 20 North Michigan Ave., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60602. Voice: (312) 341-0022 or (800) 537-2632, TTY (800) 610-2779, email: . website:www.equipforequality.org
Family Benefit Solutions
Family Benefits Solutions is located at 1110 W. Lake Cook Road #150 in Buffalo Grove, IL 60089. Our contact information: (847) 279-8506. Email: . We help families obtain and maintain government benefits: SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, etc. We also do educational seminars for families, professionals and agencies.
Family Support Network
The mission of the Family Support Network is to unify individuals with disabilities and their families to advocate for funding, services and community resources that strengthen and support the individual and the family directly by responding to their individual needs and empowering them to live in their own homes.The Family Support Network further seeks to ensure the continuation of all individual supports throughout the life span of the individual. Website:
Genesee Lake School
Genesee Lake School is a nationally recognized school dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental disabilities,mental health disorders, neurological disorders, or emotional disturbances. In addition, we offer specialized programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and Complex Trauma. As a Council on Accreditation certified residential treatment program, we follow an individualized, person-centered, and integrated team approach, emphasizing positive behavioral support, therapeutic relationships, and developmentally appropriate practices. Our 160 acre campus in the wooded Wisconsin countryside is a calm and nurturing setting where students from around the country gain the skills and experiences necessary to successfully return to their families, school districts, and communities. Website:
IlliniCare Health Plan
IlliniCare Health Plan is a managed care organization that is part of the integrated care program. TheIntegrated Care Programis a program for older adults, and adults with disabilities, who are eligible for Medicaid, but not eligible for Medicare. We serve approximately 20,000 members in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Kankakee and Will counties. In 2013, IlliniCare expanded the Integrated Care Program to serve Boone, McHenry, Winnebago, Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties. Website:
Life’sPlan Inc.
In 1986, the Ray Graham Association began a non-profit pooled trust called the Self Sufficiency Trust of Illinois. The Ray Graham Association has been providing services to people with developmental disabilities and their families for over 50 years. The Self Sufficiency Trust was a first of its kind in America as a pooled trust providing a financing mechanism that could benefit people with disabilities while not jeopardizing their public benefits.In the 1990s, other trust options were enacted under federal law called OBRA 93 payback trusts. In 1996, the Board of Directors (Trustees) for the Self Sufficiency Trust decided to rename the company as Life'sPlan Inc. This re-incorporated pooled trust offers its beneficiaries both the OBRA payback trust along with its original third party pooled trust. Life's Plan as a pooled trust service has been providing a professional trustee service and case management to its customers with disabilities and their families for over 20 years. Website:
Ligas Family Advocate Program
The Ligas Family Advocate Program has one purpose – to connect recipients of Ligas award letters seeking Home Based or CILA services and their families with family advocates who are knowledgeable about creative ways to utilize their Ligas funding to build successful lives in the community. Ligas family advocates will work to provide information to award letter recipients and their families about options. A primary goal of the program is to connect families with other families so they can share their unique perspective as stakeholders in the system. It is equally important to provide consistent information across the state early enough in the planning stage that award letter recipients and their families have a chance to consider choices that may be outside what is already familiar to them.
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Neumann Family Services
As a leader in services for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness, Neumann Family Services focuses on helping each person achieve their potential.We value the power of dreams and our goal is to see everyone reach their dreams through our comprehensive and individualized services. Website:
New Hope Center
New Hope Center, Inc. is a community service agency that provides services to individuals with intellectual and/or age-disabilities who reside in Southeast Cook County and Northeast Will County.Communities served include Dolton, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Crete, Evergreen Park, Harvey, Lansing, Lynwood, Markham, Matteson, Park Forest, Riverdale, Sauk Village, South Chicago, South Holland, Steger, Thornton, and Tinley Park.New Hope Center, Inc. is a not-for-profit community-based organization, defined in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.The purpose of New Hope Center is to be a leading solutions provider to clients with intellectual and/or age-related disabilities, their families and their communities by leveraging a culture of innovation, professionalism and caring to exceed stakeholders’ expectations. Website:
Pace Bus
Pace is the premier suburban transit provider, quickly moving people to work and school safely and efficiently. The backbone of Chicago's suburbs, Pace serves tens of thousands of daily riders with more fixed bus routes, vanpools and Dial-a-Ride programs. Pace covers 3,500 square miles and is the one of the largest bus services in North America. Website:
Pathways.org Inclusion In Worship
Inclusion In Worship provides interfaith educational materials, events,and cash grants to assist congregations to welcome members of all abilities as active participants.An inclusive faith community means that every person, regardless of ability, is offered the same respect and opportunity to participate in their worshiping community.Differences are both accommodated and celebrated so that each individual feels a sense of welcome and belonging. Website:
R.E.S.T. Program of Marklund
In conjunction with the Illinois Respite Coalition and Tennessee Respite Coalition, Marklund hosted a special National REST Trainingin February 2013 in Nashville, TN. Respite professionals from 13 states and Canada attended one of two two-day courses offered.REST (Respite Education and Support Tools) is a nationally recognized “Train-the-Trainer” program that prepares those who will train volunteer respite care workers in their areas and communities. This course is a one-of-a-kind training program that can be tailored to an organization or coalition’s specific needs or regulations. Website:
S.I.B.S.
S.I.B.S. (Supporting Illinois Brothers & Sisters) is the official Illinois chapter of the national Sibling Leadership Network (SLN). Our mission is to provide support to siblings of people with disabilities in Illinois by connecting them with information, networking opportunities, and resources in order to enhance the quality of life for their entire family. We are proud to provide siblings with the resources they need to thrive across the lifespan. In this effort, we offer workshops and helpful information on topics such as future planning, navigating the service system in Illinois, and understanding their own needs as siblings. We also educate agencies, parents, and the public regarding the unique needs of siblings and the importance of sibling support. Our vision is one of partnership; we work together with self-advocates, family members, and service providers to better serve the community. Website:
TAP - The Autism Program of Illinois
The Autism Program of Illinois Service Network serves and supports persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families through a coordinated network of providers, parents, and university programs while developing, utilizing, and sharing best and promising practices. As the largest, comprehensive statewide program in the country dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, TAP provides a variety of resources and services. As a collaboration of local agencies, TAP is able to offer services that respond to the unique needs of different communities across Illinois. Website:
UCP Seguin Services
Seguin Services recently merged with United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago. We are now known as United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago, which is a charitable not-for-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities in metropolitan Chicago and beyond.UCP Seguin believes in a world where children and adults with disabilities achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community. We strive to make this world a reality--in Illinois and beyond, for people at every stage of life--by leveraging technology to provide innovative training and educational programs, family support, employment, life-skills training and residential services. Website:
UIC IDHD
The Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD) is the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) for the State of Illinois currently authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (the DD Act). IDHD is part of a national network of 67 UCEDDs – at least one in every US state and territory. UCEDDS are dedicated to promoting the independence, productivity and inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society.The values of cultural diversity, consumer choice and self-determination are emphasized across the life span in all training, public service, and research activities of the IDHD.IDHD/DHD is home to the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program for the State of Illinois. An internationally recognized center for the study of disabilities, IDHD/DHD conducts scholarship and community-based service across the spectrum of disability, including advocacy, culture, education, health promotion, history, policy, and technology. Website:
Waddell & Reed
Founded in 1937, Waddell & Reed is among the most enduring asset management and financial planning firms in the nation, providing proven investment and planning services to individuals and institutional investors.At Waddell & Reed, what we value most, and remember every day, is the trust that we have earned – and must continue to earn – from our shareholders. As we work to deliver highly competitive results across a broad range of stock, bond and specialty portfolios, we do so with a great deal of experience, perspective and a profound respect for the trust that you place in us.Since its inception, Waddell & Reed has held firm to its straightforward investment approach: fundamentals over fads. Website: