| Membership shall be open to all Illinois non-public special education centers interested in promoting the general welfare and education of children with disabilities. Individuals may hold associate membership status as supporters of the Association by payment of annual fee. To join or renew click here to display a printable 2009- 2010 membership form, fill in form and return to address on form with your membership dues. |
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THE
“ONE VOICE; ONE MESSAGE
FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES”
The mission of the Illinois Association of Private Special Education Centers (IAPSEC) is to ensure that a high standard of special education, care and treatment is available in private special education centers to all categories of children who are the most vulnerable and have the most severe disabilities in the State of Illinois.
IAPSEC implemented this mission during the 2008-2009 school year and will continue its dedicated work during the 2009-2010 year. The IAPSEC organization is refined and streamlined to protect the interests of children served in therapeutic day schools. That is important, since all schools, as with all other businesses, are operating in an uncertain and changing environment.
During the past year, IAPSEC took decisive action in the following areas:
LEGISLATION AND STATE BUDGET
In a year during which the state budget was developed starting from July 9 2008 through July 2009, IAPSEC was actively involved in budget development and finalization. On your behalf, the following was brought to successful conclusion this year:
Full
funding of the FY 2010 reimbursement for Private Tuition, which included
the addition of $30 million for a total of $181,100,000;
The amendment of Senate Bill 1984, which excluded nonpublic special education
facilities from the onerous requirements of the Illinois Education Labor
Relations Act. This Act requires
the practice of “card check,” or open balloting on employees’
votes for unionization.
Highlighted the issue with legislators of the
impact of the Chicago Block Grant on the Private Tuition line item and the
reduction of therapeutic day options in the City of
IAPSEC has retained staff who are at the Capitol daily and who attend every hearing on education and related issues and who talk with key legislators and legislative leadership on a routine basis. A weekly report is provided to members during session to keep you informed about issues that affect you directly. In addition, IAPSEC sponsored
Legislative Day 2009, which enabled members to
hear about the latest issues from legislative staff, advocates and others; in
addition to providing an opportunity for members to meet with their legislators
and discuss the IAPSEC public policy positions for the year.
Ongoing grassroots organization for quick
membership response to critical issues
PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
This year IAPSEC surveyed its membership to develop a series of programs to meet member needs in the following areas:
--development of effective outcome data
--successful school rate development
--the elements of finance and reimbursement for
therapeutic day schools
UP-TO-DATE CRITICAL INFORMATION
FROM STATE AGENCIES
IAPSEC members attend the meetings, or are
members of
--The
--The
with Disabilities
--House Joint Resolution 24 Special Education Finance Task Force
In addition, current
data are provided throughout the year on the factors that impact your
business environment, e.g., state rules
and regulations, rates, placement policies, federal stimulus funding, federal restraint and seclusion policy
proposals, and numerous other matters.
NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND UP; JOIN THE IAPSEC COMMUNITY OF EDUCATORS TO
MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR KIDS! A
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION IS INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER, OR CALL TOM DEMPSEY,
PRESIDENT OF IAPSEC AT 1-847-359-8300, OR BRIDGET HELMHOLZ AT 217-638-1351. We
would be happy to visit your campus to present information about how IAPSEC can
help you.
Sincerely,
Tom Dempsey
President
The South Campus