Future Care Planning for Children with Special Needs

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, Special Needs, Thoughts from Kirsten Izatt

On Wednesday, February 13, Attorney Kirsten Izatt will be speaking on the topic of “Future Care Planning  for Children with Special Needs.” The event will be held at from 6:30 to 8pm at Elm Elementary School (15W201 60th Street in Burr Ridge) in the MRC/Library. The event is sponsored by the Family Resource Network of School District 181.     For more information, please see the full invitation.  https://www.teplg.com/Documents/SpecialNeedsEventFeb13.pdf We hope this information is useful to you, your clients and their families. To get more information regarding this or any related topic, please visit our website www.TEPLG.com or call us at 630-871-8778.

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2012 Statewide Conference Stepping Stones of Transition

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, Special Needs

On October 25 and 26, 2012, the Estate Planning Law Group was an exhibitor at the 2012 Illinois Statewide Transition Conference.  The conference was held at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL.  There were over 50 exhibitors including Protected Tomorrows, Family Benefit Solutions, the Arc, Giant Steps, Equip for Equality, and Illinois Life Span. Approximately 750 people attended the conference.  The audience is composed of special education students getting ready to complete high school, parents looking for information and services to prepare their child for the adult world, healthcare professionals, and educators, employment professionals, and social service staff who want more resources to help students. In addition, there were a variety of break out sessions that were very informativie. Next year’s fair will be held in Effingham, IL. To get more information regarding this or any related topic, please visit our website www.TEPLG.com or call us at 630-871-8778.

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Giant Steps Run/Walk on October 6, 2012

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, Special Needs

The Estate Planning Law Group was a sponsor of the Giant Steps 5K Autism Awareness Run/Walk on October 6, 2012. Attorney Kirsten Izatt along with Community Outreach Coordinator Dianna Weglarz were able to answer any questions the participants had concerning special needs trusts and guardianship issues.  In addition, informative brochures were available for those who wished to take information home with them.

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Getting to Know Us Event at PACT, Inc.

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, Special Needs

On May 10, 2012, Kirsten Izatt and I were able to attend a open house at PACT, Inc.  A light dinner was served and we were treated to a tour of the PACT offices.  We learned that PACT has three divisions:  Life Management Services, Community Services, and Child and Family Connections.  Life Management Services works in the following areas:  guardianship, trusteeship, and independent case management.  Community Services helps those with disabilities to navigate the state system to receive community services.  Finally, Child and Family Connections helps children with disabilities age birth to three to get the early intervention services they need. If you would like to learn more yourself, PACT has a number of Getting to Know You Events planned.  The dates are as follows: Thursday, June 7   745am-9am Tuesday, June 17   1145am-1pm Thursday, August 9   745am-9am Thursday, September 6 445pm-6pm Tuesday, October 16    1145am-1pm For more information about PACT, Inc. events contact Katie Reynolds at kreynolds@pactinc.net or 331-481-4225. PACT is located at 750 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, IL  60532.  Phone number is 630-960-9700.  Website is www.pactinc.net.  To get more information regarding this or any related topic, please visit our website www.TEPLG.com or call us at 630-871-8778.

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Township High School District 211 Transition Fair

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, Special Needs

On Thursday, May 3, attorney Kirsten Izatt and the TEPLG marketing team attended The Future Begins Today 2012, a transition fair sponsored by District 211 at Palatine High School in Palatine, IL.  This night allowed parents of individuals with developmental disabilities to learn about the various services and resources that are available in the community.  The event was well attended by parents and students.

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How to Help a Special Needs Parent

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, From the Lawyer's Desk, Thoughts from Kirsten Izatt

Here is a great article I found about how to help a special needs parent. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-lin/special-needs-parents_b_1338169.html

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WealthCounsel Mega Meeting

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, Other TEPLG Notes

On Friday, April 20th, attorneys Bill Deitch and Kirsten Izatt attended the Mega Meeting sponsored by WealthCounsel.  The meeting was held at the Rosewood Restaurant & Banquets in Rosemont, IL.  The meeting was attended by estate planning attorneys who are members of WealthCounsel. Kirsten and Bill were presenters on the topic of Special Needs Trusts.  Other attorneys spoke on the topics of land trusts, charitable planning, uses of life insurance in assets protection planning and the DRA – new rules in Illinois.  To get more information regarding this or any related topic, please visit our website www.TEPLG.com or call us at 630-871-8778.  

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Giant Steps

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, Special Needs

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West Chicago Resource Fair

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, Special Needs

On Thursday, March 22, attorney Kirsten Izatt and the marketing team attended the District 94 Resource Fair for Students and Adults with Disabilities.  The Fair was held at the West Chicago Community High School.  Many organizations were represented including:  Day One Reliance, Protected Tomorrows, Special Olympics, PACT, and Ray Graham Association.  Thanks to Anna Co for all the work she did to make this inaugural event such a success.  Anna can be contacted at 630.876.6267.

Parent Alliance Employment Booth at West Chicago Resource Fair

We would like to highlight one group that we met that evening – Parents Alliance Employment Project (PAEP).  We spoke with their representative Jamie Schmidt, Employment Specialist.  PAEP is devoted to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities through individualized employment services.  PAEP has existed since 1982. It is unique in that it was parent initiated and operated for many years staffed solely by parent volunteers. This network of parents became proactive when the only employment option for

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Puppy raisers needed to raise Leader Dog for the Blind puppies

Written by TEPLG. Posted in Blog, From the Lawyer's Desk, Special Needs, Thoughts from Kirsten Izatt

 Here is a great volunteer opportunity with Leader Dogs for the Blind that we would like you to know about.

 Puppy raisers take on the rewarding opportunity to raise a puppy with the chance to enhance the lives of someone who is blind and/or visually impaired.

As a puppy raiser you would: *Be given a puppy to raise when it is approximately 7 weeks of age until 12-15 months old.

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