SR0968 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0968 LRB098 20382 GRL 55954 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Human Services maintains a state-wide database known as PUNS, or Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services, that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are potentially in need of services; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Human Services uses the data on Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs; and

WHEREAS, Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services exists in order to provide assistance with service needs; and

WHEREAS, Besides adults, Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services is also available for children and teens with developmental disabilities who need services or support; and

WHEREAS, Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services is the first step toward getting services in Illinois; if individuals are not on the Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services list, they are not in queue for State services; and

WHEREAS, Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services may be under-utilized by children and their parents due to unawareness or a lack of information; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we strongly encourage the Illinois State Board of Education to work with school districts to inform all students with developmental disabilities and especially their parents that the Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services database is a resource that can assist them in obtaining services for their needs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we further encourage local school districts to direct parents and students to the Illinois Department of Human Services' Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services website for information annually during the Individualized Education Plan process.