sib conference

[Guest guest]

The sib conference is fast approaching and we don't have many registrations. This is a fabulous line up of speakers who have donated there time to educate siblings and other family members. Don't miss this event! This event is suitable for any family member but we hope to find adult siblings who have never connected with other siblings. If you know anyone who could benefit from this conference please send them this information. Thanks Nora HandlerFor Immediate Release: For more information, contact: August 21, 2007 815-759-7142PIONEER CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES HOSTS ADULT SIBLING CONFERNCEMCHENRY, IL - Pioneer Center for Human Services is hosting a one day educational and support conference for siblings and other family members of individuals with developmental disabilities. It is being co-sponsored by the Rehabilitation Research & amp; Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities at the University of Illinois in Chicago. The conference will be held on Saturday, September 15th, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Pioneer Center for Human Services' facility at 4001 Dayton Street in McHenry.Lorraine Kopczynski, President & amp; CEO of Pioneer Center for Human Services and Tamar Heller, Director, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities at UIC will welcome attendees after a continental breakfast. The agenda includes a full day of information and networking for persons who will ultimately become the primary caretakers for their siblings as they age. The morning sessions will include a sibling panel made up of Margaret Fox-Hawthorne, Lt. Jeff , and Tara Kosieniak, who will speak about their experiences with their siblings. A second informational panel will speak on the three parts of the Developmental Disabilities Network and what they do for people with disabilities and their families. Members of this panel will be Zena Naiditch, President and CEO, Equip for Equality, Dr.Tamar Heller, Director, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities, UIC, and Kelling, Community Support Coordinator, Institute on Disability and Human Development, UIC. The lunch keynote speaker will be Charlotte Cronin, Executive Director, The Family Support Network, speaking on the topic, "Talking to Your Policymaker, If We Can Do It, So Can You!" Afternoon sessions include a presentation on learning how to get and protect benefits by Sherri Schneider, President, Family Benefit Solutions and also members of the Self Advocacy Council of Northern Illinois will talk about their experiences and how to get other siblings involved. Kramer, PhD Candidate, Disability Studies, UIC, will end the day by leading a discussion of Next Steps, Where do We Go From Here? Everyone who is interested is invited to attend. Cost for the conference is $25, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. To register, call Olga at Pioneer Center for Human Services: 815.759.7200. Pioneer Center for Human Services is a not-for-profit agency that provides services to over 1300 individuals annually in McHenry County. It has grown and enriched the lives of many since it was founded in 1958. Pioneer Center for Human Services serves persons with developmental disabilities, mental illness, traumatic brain injury and provides early intervention therapies for children from birth to age five. It also serves victims of sexual assault through the VOICE program and the homeless through the PADS program. Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.