New requirements for Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Service (PUNS) were effective January 1, 2024. PUNS is a statewide database that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are planning for or seeking services through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities. At each annual review for a student with a disability, the IEP (Individualized Education Program) team must determine if the student is registered for PUNS and if not, refer the family to a designated employee who has completed the PUNS training. For information on PUNS, please contact one of the following trained employees: Kathleen Hopkins, Director of Special Education khopkins@perandoe.org; school superintendent; or your school psychologist.