monthly newsletter  //  may 2020

Members of Community Choices’ Advocacy Initiatives Board had a zoom meeting with State Senator Scott Bennett on April 30th to share changes they’d like to see Illinois legislators make in the near future.  The meeting was arranged by Arc of Illinois staff as a lead up to their virtual Going Home Advocacy Day.

Tobie Wood, Jaz Davis, Eric Beasley and Sarah Demissie shared with Senator Bennett that they would like to see funding for Employment 1st increased in the state of Illinois.  Funding should also increase for support and services that help people find and keep jobs in their communities.   They also told Senator Bennett that they want legislators to work to end the use of seclusion and restraints in schools, and they would rather funds be allocated for mandatory de-escalation, trigger and behavior training for all school staff at all education levels.

Finally, the group emphasized to Senator Bennett how important it is that he listen to the voices of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities when it comes to matters that affect them.  They are the experts in their lives and have the lived experiences to speak from.  From a CC staff perspective I felt very proud to be a part of this meeting, and blown away by our members’ abilities to advocate in convincing ways.

• I’m With Her - CC’s Women’s Group focusing on Intersectional Feminism and Women who’ve been leaders in their communities
• He-Ros - CC’s Men’s Group focusing on Men who’ve pushed for progressive and inclusive community growth 
• Social and Emotional Skills
• Let’s Move
• Cooking
• Crafter’s Circle 
• Movie and Member Generated Trivia
• Job Club
• Quarantini Happy Hour
• And more!

• Shopping at essential businesses, like grocery stores or pharmacies,
• Picking up food from the drive thru or curbside pickup,
• While visiting your healthcare provider,
• Traveling on public transportation,
• Interacting with customers, clients, or coworkers at essential businesses,
• When feeling sick, coughing, or sneezing.
• You may also need to wear a mask if you have a job that requires you to interact with the public. For example, when CC staff return to our office, we may wear masks to protect ourselves and our members from the spread of COVID-19. 

• Your face mask should cover your nose and mouth and fit securely to your face. Be sure that you can breathe in your mask! 
• Try to adjust the mask and make it comfortable before you leave your home or vehicle so that you do not touch the front of the mask once you are out in public. 
• If you must touch your mask while in public, be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after. 
• To remove your mask, touch only the ties or elastic holding the mask in place. Avoid touching the front of the mask. Immediately wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after removing your face mask. 
• It can be useful to have a designated bag to store your mask in before you wash it so that the mask does not touch a lot of different surfaces. Paper or plastic baggies work well for this purpose.
• The CDC has a helpful factsheet for using and making face masks - Read it HERE

• Wear a mask when you are in “exposure” zones (mainly places with other people).  
• Treat your home, car, and yard as safe places (no mask or gloves).  
• Be on high alert on what you are doing with your hands when you are in “danger zones.” This is when you must not touch your face.  
• Consider wearing gloves (even winter gloves or work gloves can be helpful) but only for short periods of time and only when in “touch exposure” danger zones.
• Remove your gloves (and mask) when you return to your safe place.  
• Wash your hands every single time you take off your gloves or mask or move from a danger zone back to a safe zone.  
• When you are at home and after washing up, you can relax, scratch your nose, rub your eyes and floss your teeth…without worry.