The Cook County Department of Public Health is now scheduling appointments for in-home vaccines. This service is available to seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to travel to a vaccination site. To schedule an appointment, call the number 833-308-1988 (hours are Hotline hours are M-F 7am-10pm and Sat 8am-10pm) or visit this link: http://bit.ly/homevaccine
Covid – 19 Appointments for people with disabilities
Progress Center is helping people schedule Covid-19 Vaccination appointments. We are part of a Community-Based Organization Network working with the Cook County Department of Public Health. As a part of that network, Progress Center can help people with disabilities in Suburban Cook County sign up for vaccinations. Progress Center can help people eliminate the hassle of searching online or calling a number to try to schedule an appointment.
At this time, there is sometimes availability at the Forest Park Vaccination Site Location.
Starting next week, there will be availability at a site in Tinley Park. Also next week, there will be availability at a site in Summit, Illinois. The site in Summit is intended to serve people in the area, including McCook, Hodgkins, Justice, Bridgeview, and Chicago Ridge.
If you are disabled, if you live or work in Suburban Cook County, and if you are searching for a vaccination appointment, please contact Progress Center. We can assist in your efforts.
Please contact garnold@progresscil.org or call 708-209-1500 ext 14.
Between now (March 22) and April 2 (Update: The Deadline has been extended to April 9), Cook County is accepting applications for emergency rental assistance. If you have been impacted financially by covid-19, you are eligible to apply for assistance. Here is a link with more information:
We Walk 4 Health: A Health Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The goal of this research is to use technology (e.g., mobile phone, Fitbit), peer support and person-centered motivational practices to promote walking for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In phase I of the research, we would like to learn more about how adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities use their mobile phones, engage in social networks and ways to increase engagement in social networks. A $20 gift card will be given for your participation.
Who are qualified?
If you are an adult (age 20-55) with an intellectual or developmental disability being able to verbally communicate in English or Spanish and having experiences with use of mobile phone and social media networks. Or You are a family member of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability, or an agency staff who provides service to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and are familiar with the use of mobile phone and social media of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What is the focus group about?
In one-hour focus group, we will ask participants about:
x use of mobile phones and social networks in adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities;
x ways to improve social networks engagement;
x potential barriers of carrying out the intervention; and
x use of community walking information and route maps.
Where is the focus group held?
Videoconference on Zoom and audio recorded
How to contact us, if you are interested in joining a focus group?
Dr. Kelly Hsieh Email: hsieh@uic.edu Phone: (312)413-1530 Principal Investigator: Kuei-Fang (Kelly) Hsieh, PhD, Research Associate Professor Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago 1640 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, (312)413-1530
In a letter dated January 21, 2021, the Illinois Department of Human Services published a letter for all providers who work with consumers in the Illinois Home Services Program. This letter indicates that all personal assistants (providers) are eligible for Covid-19 Vaccinations and that the State of Illinois would provide support to individuals who are having trouble securing a vaccination appointment. In the letter, the State writes:
“Front-line health care workers and long-term care residents are the first groups prioritized for the vaccine.
IDHS and SEIU worked together to ensure that in Illinois, Individual Providers who work for
Customers in the Home Services Program are considered front-line health care workers who are
eligible now to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. We strongly urge you to get vaccinated as soon as
you are able to do so.”
Please contact Progress Center if you have questions about this communication from the State of Illinois. Contact Progress Center at garnold@progresscil.org
This page includes information about Covid-19 from the Cook County Department of Public Health and other resources. Information about testing and vaccines is included. Late in 2020, the Cook County Department of Public Health formed a partnership with community-based organizations across Cook County, including Progress Center. Through the partnership, community-based organizations will share information about Covid-19 with constituents. Organizations will build new networks in order to share the information more broadly.
Updates (May 2021)
KN95 Masks: Progress Center has large supplies of KN95 Masks. These supplies are available to community organizations in Suburban Cook County and the surrounding areas. Masks are available at no cost. Organizations and groups in need of masks will be asked to pick up the supplies at the Progress Center office in Forest Park, Illinois. To place an order and schedule a pick-up, contact Kira Meskin at Progress Center, kmeskin@progresscil.org
Key Covid-19 contact information from the Cook County Department of Public Health
In Home Vaccination
The Cook County Department of Public Health is now scheduling appointments for in-home vaccines. This service is available to seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to travel to a vaccination site. To schedule an appointment, call the number 833-308-1988 (hours are Hotline hours are M-F 7am-10pm and Sat 8am-10pm) or visit this link: http://bit.ly/homevaccine
Mask Up! Messaging from the Cook County Department of Public Health:
Image that reads “Wear It, Don’t Spread It” with the hashtags #maskup and #onecookcounty
“Anyone can get COVID-19 – even you. Generally speaking, however, young healthy people in their 20s with strong immune systems tend to fare quite well. The problem is, you can be infected, not know it and spread it to others in your family or community who are at much greater risk of complications, including death. There are some very simple, yet effective things each of us can do to make a big difference in the fight against COVID-19. One of them is wearing a mask.”
It’s a two way street. Masks Protect You and Me. When We All Wear Masks, We Take Care of Each Other
Cook County Department of Public Health Covid-19 Hotline
“We’re here to help M-F, 9AM-4PM. Contact us with your questions or concerns about #COVID19. Call the *NEW* @CookCoHealth hotline: (708) 633-2599 (updated number January 19, 2021) or email CCDPH.COVID19@cookcountyhhs.org.
County Department of Public Health COVID-19 Testing Information COVID-19 Testing: https://cookcountypublichealth.org/covid-19-testing/ This page includes information about the type of Covid-19 Testing, recommendations on who should be tested, testing sites, and upcoming testing events.
Text ALERTCOOK (one-word) to 888-777 for text alerts about Covid 19
CCDPH Covid-19 Data
This page “includes confirmed and probable cases under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Department of Public Health (excludes Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, and Stickney Township).” For the Data Link, click here.
The Covid-19 Vaccine-CCDPH Vaccination Appointment Hotline — A new vaccination appointment hotline has been created for residents who lack Internet access, are not comfortable with technology or prefer to call. That number is 1-833-308-1988 and will be open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Here is information from the Cook County Department of Public Health about the Covid-19 Vaccine: Click this link to visit the Cook County Department of Public Health Vaccine Page Visit this link to register for the Vaccine. Vaccine Registration.
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is using the information collected from this survey to gather information from organizations with individuals in Phase 1a who would like updates regarding when their staff can receive COVID-19 vaccine, as well as assess who is able to assist in the overall vaccination effort in suburban Cook County. Phase 1a is defined by the CDC as is defined by the CDC as “all paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.”
Covid-19 Information from other sources
Vaccine Appointment Call Center The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (March 12) launched the Vaccine Appointment Call Center to assist people who do not have access to or who have difficulty navigating online services in making appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As Illinois begins to receive significantly more vaccine from the federal government and appointments become more widely available, this call center will be critical in bridging the digital divide and ensuring the vaccine reaches all communities. Vaccine Appointment Call Center open 7 days a week at 833-621-1284
Cook County Vaccination Locations
These locations opened up for vaccinations on January 19, 2021. From Illinois e-news release:
All four locations will begin vaccinations today, Tuesday, January 19 and will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will be available for health care workers who are part of Phase 1A before opening to those eligible for Phase 1B on January 25. For more information on vaccinations in Cook County please visit https://cookcountypublichealth.org/
Cook County Health’s North Riverside Health Center
1800 S. Harlem Ave.
North Riverside, IL 60546
Cook County Health’s Robbins Health Center
13450 S. Kedzie Ave.
Robbins, IL 60472
Cook County Health’s Morton East Adolescent Health Center
COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkits – This webpage contains toolkits for audience-specific toolkits for healthcare teams and community administrators, including community-based organizations. The toolkits contain introduction letters, frequently asked questions, slide decks, fact sheets, and more. These tools can be adapted to your organization’s scope of work and audience.
COVID-19 Toolkit for Older Adults & People at Higher Risk– This webpage contains COVID-19 vaccine and disease guidance and tools to help older adults and people at higher risk and those who serve or care for them. This toolkit contains FAQs, checklists, factsheets, posters, social media, PSAs, and more.
COVID-19 Vaccine– Recently updated COVID-19 vaccine landing page for consumers and clinicians with materials available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.
Link to Vaccination Plan from the Department of Public Health From the introduction to the document: “This is a draft document designed to assist Local Health Departments in planning for vaccine distribution. Information contained in this document is based on limited and preliminary guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and will be continuously updated as that guidance evolves. All information in this document is subject to change.”
Emergency Back Up Provider Program: Progress Center is now operating an Emergency Back-Up Provider program. Through this program, people in the Illinois Home Services Program can secure a back-up provider if their regular personal assistant is unable to work for a reason related to Covid-19.
Progress Center has established a dedicated phone line for this program. This line will be staffed seven days a week. If an issue comes up on a Saturday or Sunday and you need to request an emergency back-up provider, call this line and leave a message on the voicemail. Someone will return your call on the weekend. These are the numbers to call:
1-833-491-1418 (Toll Free)
1-708-209-1500 ext 39
If you have questions about the program, please email ajohnson@progresscil.org
Emergency Back Up Provider Program: Progress Center is now operating an Emergency Back Up Provider program. In the early stages of the pandemic, Progress Center had a program that could place an emergency provider with someone in the Home Services program in emergency need of a personal assistant. The program specifically was to support people with disabilities whose personal assistant tested positive for Covid-19 or who for one reason or another could not work for reasons related to the pandemic. The program expired in August, but has now is reinstated at Progress Center. If you or someone you know is in need of an emergency provider, please contact Progress Center at 708-209-1500.
Personal Protective Equipment: Progress Center has on-hand a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). If you or a service provider with whom you work is in need of PPE, please contact Progress Center to request a package.
The Housing Authority of Cook County is opening its Housing Choice Voucher wait list on Monday, October 19, 2020. The housing authority will begin to accept wait list applications at 8:30 in the morning on October 19. The housing authority will accept applications for the waiting list until Monday, November 2 at 4:30 p.m. This allows people two weeks to apply.
This is the first time in many years that the Housing Authority of Cook County will open the voucher waiting list. Most likely, there will be high demand. The housing authority will place applications for 10,000 households on the waiting list. A computer-generated lottery system will determine the order of applicants on the wait list. If more than 10,000 applications are submitted, a second computer-generated lottery system will determine which applications will be placed on the list. Progress Center is not familiar with the lottery system. Our recommendation is for people to fill out and submit the application as soon as you can within the two-week window starting on October 19.
Here is more information about the housing choice voucher lottery. This information was produced and shared by Age Options.
The Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental assistance to low income families so they can afford to live in the suburbs of Cook County. Here are some of the details:
Program is open from 10/19/20 at 8:30am until 11/2/20 at 4:30pm
Income limit for a one-person household is $31,850 and $36,400 for a two person household
Applications for 10,000 households will be placed on the waiting list
A computer-generated lottery system will determine the order of applicants on the wait list
If more than 10,000 completed applications are submitted, a computer-generated lottery system will determine which of the 10,000 applications will be placed on the waiting list
Thank you to Age Options for this helpful information.
The Housing Authority of Cook County is offering accommodation assistance and assistance with completing the application. To contact the Housing Authority, call 312-517-2388 or email HCVWaitlist2020@thehacc.org
If you have questions for Progress Center, please contact Progress Center at 708-209-1500 or garnold@progresscil.org
