Options and Advocacy for McHenry County

Welcome

Dear Friends, Families and Supporters,

I am looking forward to the abundant May flowers that all of these April showers will bring us! We have a lot happening here at Options & Advocacy. Our Child & Family Connections received over 100 referrals in the month of March! Referrals to the Community Access Coordination program and the Autism Support Program are rising as well. So while we are scrambling to IEP meetings, intakes, and service plan meetings, we are busy trying to improve community awareness and support for those whom we serve.

We need your support at the McHenry County Mental Health Board Town Hall Meeting on May 18, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. This Town Hall meeting gives you the opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences on the services that you have received as well as to inform the Mental Health Board of any unmet needs that you may have. These are services that are supported by our county real estate taxes for the purpose of “ensuring the prevention and treatment of mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse by identifying, planning, coordinating, fostering development, and contracting for quality services for all citizens of McHenry County.” Options & Advocacy receives funding for the Community Access Coordination program that supports our educational advocacy efforts and other advocacy for children and adults who have an intellectual/developmental disability. We could not attend IEP meetings without the funding support from MHB. The Autism Support program is solely funded by the Mental Health Board. We have been able to grow and expand that program but we know that the needs of the autism community continue to grow. Please take some time out of your busy schedules to come to the Town Hall Meeting on May 18. As with all funding in these uncertain times, we have to demonstrate the need and the value for what we do. We cannot do that without you! Please contact your O&A Service Coordinator to let them know if you can be there.

You can support Options & Advocacy by registering for the Human Race which happens on April 23 at MCC. Please go to www.mchumanrace.org.

If you have a heart for rock and roll, please come to the Rock4autism event on April 30 at The Wire in Berwyn. Proceeds will benefit our Autism Support Program. http://bit.ly/WIRE043017

Be happy in this time of Spring. Plant some flowers, walk your dog, hug your loved ones!

Sincerely,