Adoption

HEALING HEARTS - Healing Hearts is an adoption support and search group open to all adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, birth family members, or anyone whose life has been touched by adoption. Minors 17 years of age and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Healing Hearts meets the fourth Thurs each month, Jan through Oct, and the fourth Tues in Nov, at 7:00 pm, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rm 100, Blm. For further information, contact Marilyn Strohkirch at (309)820-0230.

BIRTH PARENT SUPPORT GROUP – The Baby Fold – The Birth Parent Support Group is for any birth parent that has made an adoption plan for their child. The group provides an opportunity for healing, emotional support and personal growth. They meet the first Tues each month, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, at The Baby Fold, 612 Oglesby Avenue, Normal. If interested in attending, please contact Jan Holmes, Pregnancy Counseling Adoption Specialist, at 454-1770.

Trilogy Counseling Services   NFP (Equine and Canine Assisted Programs) is now offering after school programs for youth 8-16 years of age. Children may attend one day a week or all week, from 3:00-6:30 pm (Fridays ‘til 5:30). The agency is located in rural Lexington on 42 acres of land with lake, horses, dogs, and other wildlife. Basic Package is $14/day or $68/week (other prices may apply; call for details). There are different programs and packages for each age group. Activities include nature hikes, arts and crafts, fishing, sports, horse and dog assisted learning groups, personalized fitness and body image programs, etc. Also available for additional fees are tutoring, guitar, piano & drum lessons, field trips, horse back riding lessons, and counseling). Special Saturday groups are also offered on topics such as Anger Management, Body Image and Self Esteem, and a Married, Engaged, or Committed Couples Group. Contact Trilogy at (309)365-8938, creats@minspring.com and www.cteartion.com.   

SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE GROUP – The Survivors of Suicide Support Group has not been active for the last couple of years. Now, however, thanks to ABC Counseling and Family Services, they are meeting on a regular basis. This support group is for anyone who has lost a friend, relative, or other loved one because of suicide. Meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday every month, 6:30 pm, at the ABC offices, 705 E. Lincoln, Suite 303, Normal. There is no fee. Spanish language is accommodated. Lynn Willard, Director of ABC, is the contact: 451-9495 or lwillard@abccounseling.org.
                                                               

Autism

NEW AUTISM OUTREACH CENTER - The state of Illinois’ Autism Program is partnering with ISU to open a new outreach center in Normal. Stacey Bock, an Associate Special Education Professor, and Karla Doepke, an Associate Psychology Professor, will be heading the program for ISU. Illinois’ Autism Program is a network of resources for parents and children dealing with ASD. The program provides comprehensive consultations, which allows professionals to observe ASD children in a clinical and education environment. The outreach centers (one will also open in Champaign) will help make sure children and their parents from central Illinois are being reached. For more details, go to http://www.theautismprogram.org/     

ISU AUTISM CLINIC IS MOVING and is also starting a new early childhood program called “Sprouts.” The new ISU Autism Clinic is scheduled to open Jan 20, 2009, at their new location -- 706 Oglesby Avenue, Normal (old Soldiers & Sailors Home). The clinic will be offering many things, but are in need of donations, as well. If you have toys, software, books, children’s furniture, assistive devices, etc. that are in good condition, they would love to have them. The clinic will be opening the doors for a tour and donation drop off on Sat, Jan 10, from 8 am to 2 pm, and on Wed, Jan 14, from 4 to 7 pm. “Sprouts” is a program designed to provide intensive individual and group services to young children with ASD with a focus on increasing communication, independent functioning (especially in group settings), and social skills. The goal is to provide additional support to children and families and more thoroughly prepare young children for a successful transition into elementary school. Sprouts is a supplement to early childhood education programs -- not a replacement. Sprouts will be available M-F, 8:30 to 11:30 am, beginning Jan 20 and ending May 10. Any child between the ages of 3-6, currently enrolled in ECE, who has a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder, is eligible for Sprouts. There is no cost to families (program is funded through The Autism Program of Illinois). For more information, and questions about enrollment, call 438-05629 and ask to speak to Kate Gioia about Sprouts.       

ASMC PLAY GROUP – The Autism Society of McLean County has created a play group to give children with autism and their typical siblings a place where they can be free to be themselves, play, and get to know each other. Rising Star Academy generously allows them to use their facilities. The accommodations are wonderful; they include 3 trampolines (2 are in-floor), a very large foam pit, padded floors, soft sided climbing structures and numerous toys. The group meets the second and fourth Saturday each month, 10:30 am to noon. Cost is $5.00 per child. ASMC requires one parent to stay while the children are playing.                                     

Careers

MCLEAN COUNTY PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD - A drug discount card, available through McLean County government, may save uninsured and underinsured residents an average of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed medicines. The card program is sponsored by the National Association of Counties, of which McLean County is a member, and is managed by Caremark Rx Inc. While the cards are available to any county resident, people can use the cards to get discounts ONLY on prescription medicines for which they don't have insurance coverage. People who will benefit from the discount program will be people without prescription drug coverage and people who have been prescribed certain drugs that are not covered by their insurance. Most retail pharmacies in the county are participating. Cardholders present it at their pharmacy whenever getting a prescription filled that is not covered by insurance. There is no enrollment form required and the cards are available at the Community Health Care Clinic, McLean County Health Department, McLean County clerk's office, Bloomington Public Library and Normal City Hall. For more information, call toll-free 877-321-2652.

Blood Cancer Survivors & Caregivers Social Group meets at the Community Cancer, 407 E. Vernon Ave., Normal, every 4th Mon, 5:30-7:00 pm. For more info, call (309)451-8500 or visit www.cancercenter.org.

The COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CLINIC  provides medical care to uninsured and low-income workers. To receive care, patients must be residents of McLean County, meet Federal poverty guidelines and not be eligible for public aid, disability or Medicare.  The clinic is located at 902 N. Franklin Ave., Normal, phone:  309/888-5331. 

FREE ANTIBIOTICS THROUGH MEIJER PHARMACY – No Strings Attached! Meijer recently announced a free prescription drug program covering oral generic antibiotics with a special focus on the prescriptions most often filled for children. The following are FREE with your doctor’s prescription, regardless of insurance or co-pay: Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, SMZ-TMP, Ciprofloxacin, Penicillin VK, Ampicillin, and Erythromycin. There is no card required, no membership to purchase, no minimal charges, no special forms to fill out and no fees to pay. Prescriptions must be picked up at the store, in person.

FamilyCare Healthcare Coverage has been expanded and is now open to families making up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This expansion to healthcare for uninsured parents will make 147,000 more parents eligible for healthcare coverage. The new income limit, raised from 185% FPL, translates into an annual income of $82,600 for a family of four, and even more for larger families. Parents must be uninsured in order to qualify for the expansion, or meet an exception such as losing healthcare coverage as a result of a job loss. FamilyCare offers healthcare coverage to parents living with their children 18 years old or younger. FamilyCare also covers relatives who are caring for children in place of their parents. FamilyCare covers doctor visits, limited dental care, hospital services, prescription drug, durable medical equipment, and more. Premiums for parents between 185% - 200% FPL will pay the same they pay now for their children in All Kids - $15 to $40 per month for family coverage. Parents between 200% - 400% FPL will pay double the premium they pay for their children. Co-pays remain the same ($2 to $5 for doctor visits and prescriptions). For more breakdowns on premiums and additional info, go to www.FamilyCareIllinois.com.

OSF’S COMMUNITY PRENATAL CLINIC  located at 502 S. Morris Street, Suite B, Blm, is designed to serve uninsured and under-insured pregnant women in the Blm-Nor area. It will provide Spanish-speaking staff on site to assist those with language barriers. OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is working collaboratively with the Department of Public Health in the development and implementation of this clinic. The clinic will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-5:00 pm and will be staffed by Dr. Lisa Emm and the practice of Slotky and Santiago, MD, SC, Woman Care. For questions, contact Angela Kasel at 665-5744.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE SUPPORT GROUP “Heart Beaters” – If you or someone you know has heart failure, it can be difficult knowing what to expect. OSF St. Joseph Medical Center has developed Heart Beaters to help you, your family, neighbors, or friends learn, live and thrive with heart failure. Join them on the second Friday of every month at the Center for Healthy Lifestyles from 3:00-4:00 pm. If you have questions or would like to know more about the group, contact Erin Kennedy at 661-5153

TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP is a monthly meeting for pre-transplant and post-transplant adults. The meeting is usually held the first Tues of each month at the Children Home & Aid, 403 S. State Street, Blm. We use the back door on the west end of the main building. The support group is free. If you have questions, please call Marie McCurdy, 309-310-6175. .

FAMILYCARE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PARENTS - FamilyCare eligibility has been raised to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level; this means parents earning $36,000/year, based on a family of four, may now be eligible for FamilyCare health insurance. FamilyCare provides heath care coverage to parents living with their children 18 years old or younger. Also covered are relative caregivers who are caring for children in place of parents. FamilyCare covers doctor visits, dental care, hospital care, emergency services, prescription drugs, and more. Co-pays and premiums will be at the same levels as in the similar KidCare Program. Visit theses web sites www.kidcareillinois.com  www.familycareillinois.com for more information and application forms. Request a paper application by calling 1-866-4-OUR-KIDS (1-866-468-75437).

THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR HISPANIC HEALTH has created a bilingual hotline to assist individuals with the Medicare Part D enrollment process. Individuals can receive one-on-one counseling, assistance applying for low income subsidies, as well as finding a plan to meet their individual needs. The hotline is available M-F, 8:00 am-6:00 pm ET. The number to call is 1-866-783-2645. In addition, the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) has established a national toll-free multilingual helpline for English, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese speaking consumers. The NAPCA Helpline numbers are as follows: English and Chinese 1-800-582-4218; Korean 1-800-582-4259; and Vietnamese 1-800-582-4336.

THE MCLEAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT is pleased to announce that they have contracted with Diane Caruso, DDS, to serve as clinician in the Children’s Dental Clinic.  Her current schedule will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. The Children’s Dental Clinic is now scheduling appointments for children up to age 20. Patients eligible for services through the dental clinic must have a current Medicaid card, Kid Care, or meet financial guidelines. For information about the clinic or to make an appointment, please call the dental phone line at 888-5479.

MCLIC DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS - Free infant, toddler, and preschool screenings are available on a regular basis in McLean County by area agencies. Every child is unique and it is normal for young children to develop skills at different rates. A developmental screening consists of questions and tasks that check the way a child talks, learns, behaves, and moves. It can be completed with the child and parent in less than an hour. Parents are encouraged to have their child screened at least annually even if there are no worries about development. Call 888-4439 to schedule a screening. urchase, no minimal charges, no special forms to fill out and no fees to pay. Prescriptions must be picked up at the store, in person.

FREE INFANT, TODDLER & PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING is offered on an on-going basis through the McLean County Health Department in partnership with McLean County Local Interagency Council (MCLIC), and AOK Early Childhood Network. To schedule a screening, call 888-5539 or 1-800-474-0800.