Welcome to A Place for Children, Advocacy. It’s a place for your child, if you suspect or have been told by a professional that your daughter or son has a developmental delay, including autism or a sensory integration disorder.

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Elmwood Park Location Chicago - Pratt Location

Elmwood Park Location Chicago Location Chicago - Thresholds Location

Elmwood Park Location Chicago - Pratt Location

About Us Client Thank You Letters

A Place for Children

12/2/2008
Greetings! An update about our effort to get paid by DHS,

Our Protest from Yesterday:

Approximately 10 of us braved the cold, windy weather to protest the slowed payment by DHS. We collected approximately 150 signatures by citizens of Illinois who were willing to stop, listen to our issues and sign their name to support our cause.

I have attached the link to the petition which was created by Janet Schultz-Mroz (photo above in the red coat). Please print it out, sign it and ask your friends, family and especially the families who you serve to sign in our support.

Once you have a page or two, or three or more filled, you can fax them directly to the state at 217-524-4049. (Janet verified that this is the best fax number to use).

Nicole Molinaro, at PT, was interviewed on this issue by the Daily Herald. Her article is on the link listed below as well.

Finally, I was interviewed by Autism One radio on the topic of slowed state payments. The link for that interview is also listed on the link below.

I have heard from many of you. Thank you for your enthusiasm, your grass roots efforts and your willingness to be heard. Collectively we can change the way this, and other issues that affect the children of the State of Illinois, are handled.

Please ask your colleagues to clink to be added to this e-newsletter so that we may stay in communication. While there is truth in that DHS has released money from the November 12, 2008 vouchers, there still IS NO ASSURANCES THAT ANY OTHER MONEY WILL BE RELEASED AT ANY TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

We MUST continue to have our voices heard! Please print the petition and have it signed by everyone you know!
You can find the petition, Nicole's interview and other protest photos at

Erin Austria
A Place for Children

Petition to Immediately Restore Timely Payments to EI Providers and Other Vendors of Department of Human Services (DHS)

Fax to 217 524 4049

Illinois to borrow $1.4 billion to pay waiting agencies, schools

Illinois Sinks Deeper into Chaos over Scandal

Autism One Radio Web Site

Autism One Radio Schedule & Archive

Autism One Radio Family

Daily Herald Story on "Kids hang in balance when state won't pay bills on time"

Toddlers Losing Therapy Services
Christine Sutton* was giving birth to her sixth child when something went horribly wrong. When she regained consciousness, it was to learn that her baby's brain...MORE

For more information, please call Erin at 773.338.5437 or email erin@aplaceforchildren.com