PUNS & ILAble Information for Families
PUNS - Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services
In Lake County, Illinois, school districts act as an essential bridge between your family and the state services your child may eventually need. While the school district itself does not manage the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) database, we are legally required to help you navigate it.
Under Illinois Public Act 103-0504, school districts must ensure that parents of students with disabilities are informed about how to enroll in PUNS and who to contact.
Information Regarding PUNS is distributed at each Initial Evaluation meeting, Re-evaluation Meeting, and all Annual Reviews. The PUNS information is included in the Procedural Safeguard packet.
Designated Contact: If you have a specific question or require support we are happy to help you with the PUNS process. Please contact Dr. Ann Scully at ann.scully@district41.org of 847-356-2385
Referral to the designated Independent Service Coordination (ISC) Agency: In Lake County, our (ISC) agency is Community Alternatives Unlimited and (773) 867-4000
WHAT IS PUNS AND HOW IS IT USED?
PUNS is a statewide database that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are planning for or seeking services.
The State uses the data to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs
WHY ENROLL IN PUNS?
To assist with identifying service needs and wants
register individuals on the PUNS
WHO CAN ENROLL IN PUNS?
Children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities who need or want services or supports
WHAT CAN FAMILIES EXPECT DURING THE PUNS ENROLLMENT PROCESS?
The individual with the developmental disability (along with guardian/caregiver/family) meets face-to-face with an Independent Service Coordination (ISC) Agent
The ISC Agent will work with the individual and their family to identify and plan for service needs and register on the PUNS
WHEN DOES PUNS INFORMATION GET UPDATED?
At least annually the ISC Agency will contact families
Anytime a need for service changes
When contact information changes, such as address or telephone number
When caregiver information changes
HOW DOES THE PUNS SELECTION WORK?
Individuals are selected from the PUNS based on their age, their status (planning or seeking), and their time on PUNS
WHEN WILL AN INDIVIDUAL BE SELECTED?
PUNS selections are based upon funding availability and ability to fill program vacancies
HOW DO PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY GET SELECTED?
Individuals selected from the PUNS will receive a letter directly from the Department of Human Services announcing their selection and inviting them to apply for services by contacting their ISC Agency
WHAT DO FAMILIES DO IF A CRISIS EMERGES WHILE ENROLLED IN PUNS?
Families should contact their ISC Agency immediately for available options in their area
Individuals who meet the crisis criteria do not have to wait on PUNS
Please Note: Enrolling in PUNS does not confirm that you are eligible for services, nor guarantee that services will be provided. It does ensure that the IDHS' Division of Developmental Disabilities knows about an individual's need for services.
Please visit the IDHS website for additional information.
IL ABLE “Achieving a Better Life Experience” Accounts
IL ABLE “Achieving a Better Life Experience” Accounts give people with disabilities and their families greater financial independence while preserving benefits. A high-quality, low-cost IL ABLE savings and investment Account can be opened by an Eligible Individual, or Authorized Individual, at any time, no matter what state they live in.
Please visit the ILABLE website for additional information