An idea...

I'm in Illinois where services for developmentally disabled adults are the WORST in the legal United States... thinking about finding a few other struggling sibs or moms or dads who work full time and swapping/grouping our "kids" into a kind of "care pool". Monday all 5 are at my house, tues they are at Sally's, Weds they are at Mark's, thurs they are at Jack's, and Friday they are at Mary's. This allows 5 families to keep their jobs, and have free or very limited cost care for their adult with DD. I'm thinking my job would be ok with me working 4 10 hour days, and I'm hoping other jobs will be flexible with their employees too.  I'd like to limit this to adults, since I drive by at least 20 preschools a day, where parents of young kids have their flexibility of choice, but I'm finding adult care very hard to find that is appropriate without boring Jake, or having him lost in "old people land".

Anyone have any input as to whether they think this would work?

Jacob's home!!

Sorry it's been a while.. Can u tell he's home from his summer jaunts? Been trying to find care for him so I can work. It's been depressingly hard or way expensive. We have currently settled on way expensive, because we have no other choice. I have a couple dozen calls out to many different locales: LARC, sertoma, suburban access, catholic charities, and etc. I finally got a call back today... From one. I hope this gets the ball rolling. They said they would process his updates (he's been in the system for over three years and we've received NOTHING by way of services) and we should hear back by next Friday... It's a glimmer of hope, but it will be a stretch and a half to pay his expenses for an additional week beyond what we had hoped for. Sigh. Nothing quite goes how you think it will, does it? Is anyone even read this anymore?

I wont give up on you

With the events of this summer, and having Jacob's future be in the hands of others for a few weeks while I waited for a decision, I have had "I won't give up" by Jason Mraz on my mind for Jacob lately. Today, I finally got the answer to the question whether Jacob will be able to attend school this fall. The answer is no. I have to pay off his tuition before he can go back. I asked how they expect me to do that, AND pay for his day to day care, and I received MORE non answers. I asked what other parents do... MORE nonanswers. I begged, nothing... Sigh. I applied for a student loan on Jake's behalf, a loan that was recommended by the person delivering the bad news today. We will see how that goes. I am moderately hopeful, without holding my breath. If that doesn't go through, I dont know what we'll do. But I won't give up.

work it

Planning for Jacob to not return to school this year. Since that is the worst case scenario, that is what we are preparing for. Visited a local adult day care today. It doesnt seem age appropriate at all, and its expensive... but less than the one we visited last week. Sigh, not sure how we're going to hack tuition that he still owes AND care now. I will still pursue fundraising efforts whenever possible. I also stopped by the building named the "Arc", but it was closed and looked vacant.... on it. Been researching Williams syndrome Foundation, and autism speaks for links to scholarships and grants. Any other leads are appreciated. We plan to have a car wash at church, a spaghetti dinner, and raffle tickets. A local business suggested a Bourbon Street fundraiser. I also plan to sell donated garage sale items from last summer on e-bay/craigslist/ facebook garage sales. A friend requested a t-shirt fundraiser, another friend emailed me about a flower fundraiser. Please let me know if you have any specific interest that i can capitalize on for a fundraiser. Thanks all =)