Children’s Services and PUNS
Services for children with developmental disabilities are accessed primarily through the special education services provided by local school districts. New services for children can now be accessed through the Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agencies by completing the PUNS (Prioritization of the Urgency of the Need for Services). These are also known as Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) agencies. Independent Service Coordinators or Pre-Admission Screening agents will interview parents/caregivers to complete a PUNS form for children who appear to be eligible for services.
Individuals interested in services available through the Division of Developmental Disabilities must contact their ISC and ask to complete a PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) Form. This form is completed by interview and is the document that enters an individual into the system of services for prioritization and eligibility. Additional information about the PUNS form and process is available in the Documents/Resources section of our website. Once an individual is selected from the PUNS database, eligibility is determined, and if that person is found eligible, referrals are made to the appropriate Service Providers. To find your local ISC, click here. Choose Developmental Disability Services and your county.
For more information on the Children’s Waiver for Home-Based Support Services as well as the other Illinois waiver programs: http://www2.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalPrograms/HCBS/Pages/default.aspx
For more information on the Children’s Support Waiver from the Division of Developmental Disabilities: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27896/documents/By_Division/Division%20of%20DD/ChildrensSupportWaiver.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions information collected by our friends at the Family Support Network during their Dreaming New Dreams seminars throughout the State: http://www.familysupportnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2012-Dreaming-Seminar-HBSSP-FAQ2.pdf
Children’s Services
Social Security – Where to Apply
Medicaid – Where to Apply
DHS – Division of Developmental Disabilities
Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
Family Community Resource Centers – The “one-stop” center for cash and medical assistance, food stamps, and job services
Advocacy Toolbox – Main Page