by Gaye Preston

The state of our state’s budget has been in the news and the news is not good. Our state’s budget deficit is projected to be an almost unimaginable $12 billion for the fiscal year which begins July 1. We have one of the largest unfunded pension systems in the United States and the state is collecting even less money in 2010 than it had projected when the budget was developed last year. As a result, the state is short on cash to pay its bills and payment delays are mounting.

To read more about how this affects CSS, our individuals and families, and our dedicated staff, click here.

Delegate, Evaluate and Take a Break!
Some easy fun tips for making time work better for you

Most days, life can be constant game of beat the clock, but is the clock beating you? No need to be overwhelmed. Just stop, take a breath… a deep breath… actually three deep breaths. Slowing your breathing will help clear your mind and allow you to focus more intently on the days tasks.

For tips on how you can better delegate, evaluate and take a break, click here.

Traveling...Is All About the Team!
One family’s story about the ups and downs of traveling with a disabled family member

	The Hettasch family enjoys dinner out

Diane Hettasch is honest from the get go. Planning vacations or even dinner out, when there’s a disabled family member to consider, is always a challenge. Whether it’s a trip to Colorado to attend her brother’s wedding or the weekend getaway her family took this past Christmas to Galena, she and husband Ed say “it’s all about the team.” It’s important to both of them that their family has all kinds of everyday “family experiences,” and those include vacations.

For more info on how you can begin to make those travel plans, click here.

CSS Gets an On-Line Facelift!
Have you heard the big news? We have a new website loaded with useful resources designed to keep you involved and informed. Here are a few things you can now do on our site…

• Visit our Activity Circle, an interactive page where you can enjoy cross-word puzzles, find fun craft ideas and recipes, view and share artwork, and more!
• Chat with others on our Forum, designed to enable our families and interested parties to connect and interact more easily.
• Check out our new Resource page with a variety of links to educate, illuminate and motivate.
• Donate on-line and help an individual, one family, or hundreds of people with developmental disabilities.

We hope you enjoy the new site and would like to add your recipe ideas, artwork, craft ideas, stories and more so email us your two cents and we’ll spread it around!

Local Company Steps Up for People with Developmental Disabilities
While many people experienced financial difficulties this holiday season, there was no lack of generosity among the employees of UOP in suburban McCook, Illinois. “Santa” (Jim Brewer) and three helpers (Mary Carben, Robert Sarich, and Daniel Rogan) came to CSS in the last week of December to drop off 107 wrapped holiday gifts for individuals with developmental disabilities from all over west suburban Cook and eastern DuPage counties. The UOP group, who call themselves the “Wings” Committee, have been spreading holiday cheer to CSS and other local non-profit organizations for several years and this was their largest effort ever. In addition to the gifts, they also collected nearly $500 to help three families with extra needs.

Pictured, from left are Chuck Nilles, CSS Manager of Family Services;  Jim Brewer; Carol Heller, CSS Respite Coordinator; Mary Carben; Robert Sarich; and Daniel Rogan.