Good oral health and maintaining a healthy smile are important for everyone. Special Olympics offers a Brush Up On Your Dental Care video and guide to help people with disabilities understand and develop good oral hygiene habits, including brushing techniques, preparing for dental visits and common dental problems.

The easy-to-understand video demonstrates, step by step, how to prepare for a dental visit and care for your dental health.

The Brush Up on Your Dental Care Guide offers caregivers and self-advocates information on developing and maintaining a complete oral hygiene program. Information includes:

• Easy-to-follow instructions on proper brushing, rinsing and flossing techniques
• Suggestions for adaptive positions for these activities
• Common dental problems
• Oral health considerations during the growth and development of a child with intellectual disabilities

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.

• OSEP Post-Secondary Transition Guide
• Transition Fact Sheet
• Transition Timeline: Age 14½ to Graduation
• Transition Planning and Participation
• Transition: Diploma or Certificate?
• Graduation Checklist
• How Students Can Get Accommodations in College
• How Students Can Get Accommodations on the Job

South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SSSRA) provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. SSSRA opportunities help to build confidence, develop independence and form meaningful connections. SSSRA is an extension of member park districts and recreation and parks departments.

People served by these SSSRA member agencies are considered residents:

• Country Club Hills Parks and Recreation Department
• Hazel Crest Park District
• Homewood-Flossmoor Park District
• Matteson Recreational Division
• Oak Forest Park District
• Olympia Fields Park District
• Park Forest Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health
• Richton Park Parks and Recreation Department
• Tinley Park-Park District

The “Turning 19 and Medicaid Prescription Coverage” tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) explains Illinois Medicaid’s Four Prescription Policy for members aged 19 and older. It goes over policy details as well as what to do before an individual turns 19 and how to handle prior authorization, if needed.

• “Turning 19 and Medicaid Prescription Coverage” tip sheet in English 
• “Turning 19 and Medicaid Prescription Coverage” tip sheet in Spanish

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ (HFS) Medicaid Customer Guide website helps customers and the partners who support them find the information they need. The guide provides a more streamlined, user-friendly experience. Clearer navigation and simpler language make it easier to find information about Medicaid coverage, eligibility, benefits, applications, renewals and other important resources. The guide organizes information around frequently asked questions and tasks to help:

• Learn about Medicaid
• Connect families with information about their coverage and benefits
• Explore recent HR 1 Federal Changes
• Apply for healthcare and use your benefits
• Understand your rights

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.

 

Pain Care Rights is a patient advocacy organization that helps people with chronic pain and their caregivers navigate the healthcare system, document their symptoms and advocate for better treatment. It provides practical tools, resources and guidance to empower patients.

The Pain Care Rights’ State Information search tool provides information on state agencies, forms, deadlines and responsibilities. Resources also include tools and information to help you:

• Learn about health conditions
• Prepare for medical visits
• Document care barriers
• Review records
• Write clear questions, messages or requests to address concerns or get information

The Ehlers-Danlos Society is a global organization dedicated to advancing research and education on Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). To improve access to care, it provides the Ehlers-Danlos Healthcare Professionals Directory, a global directory of providers.

For questions and more information, please visit the Ehlers-Danlos Society’s Contact Us page.

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Navigator is a statewide resource bank of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois. It is a free public directory designed to point you to service providers, support resources, government agencies, advocacy tools and more.

IDD Navigator provides help and resources, including:

• Finding your Independent Service Coordinator (ISC)
• IDD community acronyms
• Frequently asked questions about IDD and services in Illinois
• Resources search tool and media library

IDD Navigator resources are categorized into four regions. See the Service and Support Regions and download the map to help narrow your search.

Little City serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families across Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, Will, DeKalb and Kendall counties in northeastern Illinois. Located on a 56-acre campus in Palatine, Little City provides a range of services, including residential, school, recreation, art, horticulture, employment, community day services and foster care and adoption.

Little City also offers:

• Clinical and behavioral services
• Therapeutic day school
• Recreation programs
• Residential services for children and adults

For questions, please visit Little City’s Contact Us page or call (847) 358-5510.