Two ARC Employees Appointed to State Council

(PATTY HOOPER AND RITA WAHL)

The Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention (IICEI) is an appointed team that advises and assists in the development, implementation and evaluation of early intervention and education programs for children with disabilities and their families. ARC Community Support Systems has announced that not only one but two of their employees have been appointed to this 30-member council by Governor Bruce Rauner. To be named to the IICEI Council you must first be nominated and then complete an application process.

Patti Hooper, Information Specialist, will fill the role of a Parent Representative on the Council. Hooper is the parent of a son with Autism who was served through the State of Illinois Early Intervention Program, qualifying her for this position.

Rita Wahl, Child and Family Connections Region 20 Manager, will serve on the IICEI Council as the CFC Manager Representative for CFC districts across the state of Illinois outside of Chicago. Rita was promoted to the position of Region 20 CFC Manager in November of 2013.

Hooper and Wahl were each appointed to a three-year term on the Council.

“It is quite an honor to have two of our employees appointed by the Governor to serve on the State-wide council” stated Andy Kistler, Executive Director of ARC Community Support Systems. “Early Intervention is an extremely important service for children. Quality Early Intervention services are vital to the long-term success of a child. We are excited that Patti and Rita will be advocates for children and their families across the State of Illinois.”