Resource Directory
Find resource information for families and children with special healthcare needs.
Some of these resources are specific for families and children enrolled in our programs. Others may be of interest to any family or child with special healthcare needs.
You can use the search box below to narrow your view. For example, you can search for support groups, respite, grant programs, a specific topic or by condition.
You can also browse by category or by region using the links on the right side of this page.
Here is a quick video showing how to use the search and display features for our resources and events.
Check back often for updates. If you don’t find what you need, please call us at (800) 322-3722 or send us an email.
Education Resources
Aspiritech Academy Career Training for Neurodivergent Adults
Aspiritech is a nonprofit technology services company headquartered in Evanston, Ill., that aims to harness the power of neurodiversity. It operates Aspiritech Academy to help build career pathways for neurodivergent adults.
The academy offers eight career-training programs. Every program is virtual, competency-based and ends with an Aspiritech Academy Certificate of Completion plus preparation for an industry-recognized certification.
While there are costs associated with this training, most participants do not pay out of pocket. Aspiritech works with applicants to apply for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding, which is federal funding allocated for job training, or through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, workforce, foundation or donor funding. Aspiritech will work with trainees to find the right funding option for their program.
Aspiritech also provides a Neurodiversity Resource Library with guidance on maintaining good mental health in the workplace.
For more information, call (224) 468-2755 or email info@aspiritech.org.
Transition Fact Sheets: Planning for Life After High School
Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center’s Transition Fact Sheets help students with disabilities and their families prepare for life after high school. Transition planning begins early and focuses on the student’s strengths, interests, preferences, needs and goals for education, employment, independent living and community participation.
These fact sheets include practical information about secondary transition planning, student participation, graduation pathways, adult services, self-advocacy and accommodations in college and the workplace. Families can use them to better understand important transition decisions, prepare for Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, ask informed questions and identify supports and services that may be needed as students move toward adulthood.
CU Early - Birth to 3 Home Visiting Program
CU Early is a free home-visiting program that serves children from birth to age three and their families in Champaign, Urbana and Mahomet. Operated through the Urbana Early Childhood School, the program focuses on child development, family support and early literacy. Skilled parent educators provide families with child development resources, support and guidance through home visiting services. Services also include support for expecting parents, monthly playgroups, weekly support groups for teen parents, and individualized activities with parents to support their child’s ongoing development.
All CU Early services are free to families. For more information about CU Early, please call (217) 384-3616 or email Kelly Russell at krussell@usd116.org.
Family Resources
Special Father’s Network is a dad-to-dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs.
The program connects new fathers of children with special abilities with another father (a Mentor Father) who has experienced a similar situation. The program matches Mentor Fathers as closely as possible based on the child’s special needs, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic group and relationship to the child e.g., .father, stepfather, grandfather).
The Special Father’s Network is available through the 21st Century Dads Foundation, which raises awareness and resources for greater father involvement and seeks to inspire dads to be present, caring and nurturing.
For questions, please use the 21st Century Dads Contact form or email info@21stCenturyDads.org.
The Illinois Respite Coalition (IRC) is a not-for-profit organization of caregivers and respite providers dedicated to supporting families and ensuring access to quality respite services for the residents of Illinois. The IRC assists caregivers by connecting them to resources in their area, providing training on respite topics and having funding available for emergency respite. The IRC helps caregivers of individuals across the lifespan with any disability.
The Emergency Respite Care Program offers funding and resources to support caregivers who are not receiving any respite services and have an urgent need for respite care in the absence of any other funding source. Emergency respite care may be for an unplanned or planned event for reasons including:
- Caregiver illness (physical, mental or emotional)
- Caregiver hospitalization or doctor appointments
- Work-related situation or loss of employment
- Reduction of stress level
- Funeral or wake
The website gives examples of qualifying circumstances and information on how to apply. For more information, contact:
- The Illinois Respite Coalition at (866) ILL-RESP (455-7377), ext. 101, or email ilrespitecoalition@gmail.com.
- Spanish-speaking callers may call (866) 866-ILL-RESP (455-7377), ext. 103, or email ilrespitecoalition@gmail.com.
Almost Home Kids provides a bridge from hospital to home through an innovative community-based care system for children with medical complexities up to age 22. It responds to the needs of families, trains caregivers, offers respite care, advocates for accessibility and inclusion and educates healthcare professionals.
Almost Home Kids offers transitional, respite and respite transportation care. It has locations in Chicago, Naperville and Peoria.