DuPage Family Disability Network

Meeting Minutes: 2/8/2006

Meeting minutes are posted below…

DuPage Family Disability Network

Minutes

February 8, 2006

The meeting was opened by Barb Petersen at 7:01pm. Prior to the introduction of the guest speakers, an announcement concerning the next DFDN meeting on post-secondary academic opportunities on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at 7:00pm at the Lisle Public Library was made.

Steve Boisse, representing PACT, Inc. introduced the topic of “RIDE DUPAGE” a paratransit system for the elderly and disabled. At this point he turned the presentation over to Mary Keating, the administrator for DuPage County Community Services. Ms. Keating sits on the Interagency Paratransit Coordinating Council for DuPage County and has been instrumental in the development of the “Ride DuPage” program. The County started looking at paratransit services for the elderly and disabled in 1996. Since that time, several different programs have been tried, with “Ride DuPage” being the current program being utilized. This program has improvements over the others in regard to centralized scheduling and dispatching as well as being available to the riders 24/7. Fares are based on the distance traveled and rates are currently set at $1.50 for the first 6 miles with each additional mile costing $1.50. Unfortunately, this service is only available to residents who reside within the Naperville and Lisle townships and the city of Glen Ellyn. This area represents approximately 25% of the county. Other towns and townships within the county are currently looking at funding this program. In discussions with the various entities it is pointed out that this is a quality of life issue which provides independence to those who use the service. Though some ongoing adjustments are being made to the program, the general consensus is that this is a well run, well used service and hopefully within the next few years the entire county will have adopted “Ride DuPage”. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of DFDN will be February 8, 2006 at 7:00pm at the Lisle Public Library.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Ann Ricketts
DFDN Secretary

Add comment February 21st, 2006

DFDN Meeting March 8

Please join DFDN on March 8, 2006 for a presention and discussion on
Post-Secondary Academic opportunities.

Please register by email to dfdn.org with you name and number attending.

TOPIC: Post Secondary Schooling Opportunities for Special Populations

PRESENTERS: The following programs will provide speakers or printed
information:
The PACE Program, National-Louis University
Elmhurst Life Skills Academy, Elmhurst College
COD Vocational Growth Opportunities
Lewis & Clark Community College
(additional programs/presenters may be added)

Come learn about these various programs and see what might be appropriate
for your particular individual. There is a mix of both residential and
day programs. There will definitely be time for questions after the
presentations.

DuPage Family Disability Network (DFDN)
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Lisle Public Library
777 Front Street
Lisle, IL 60532

Please register early…space is limited.

Add comment February 15th, 2006

New DFDN Site

Welcome to the new DFDN website. We have done our best to ensure that this site will look good and validate against accessiblity standards. However, some modifications may be needed to improve the interface. The wordpress content management system will allow us to post updates easily and manage the site better. Please let us know if you have comments about this new site.

Add comment February 7th, 2006