The National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home provides information, support, and advocacy for families and pediatric healthcare professionals who care for children with special needs in managed care arrangements. The “medical home” isn’t a place. It is an approach focusing on strengthening and improving the system of care for children and youth with special health care needs and their families.

Located on the American Academy of Pediatrics website, the National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home offers:

• Information on why a medical home is important
• A medical home overview and FAQs
• Tools and resources for families
• Resources for medical professionals
• Care coordination resources

The Brain Association of Illinois (BAI) is a statewide, non-profit organization providing advocacy, information and support to people with brain injuries, family members, friends and rehabilitation professionals.

The BIA of IL is part of a network of brain injury associations across the United States, and is an affiliate of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA).

The United Spinal Association Illinois Chapter (USAIC)  is a non-profit offering information and support resources for people paralyzed by trauma and medical conditions. It also serves family members and health care and related professionals serving the spinal cord injury community. USAIC is located in Palos Heights but provides information, events and educational programs statewide. Its programs include:

• Virtual and in person peer support groups
• The “Living with Spinal Cord Injury” program for health professionals and health science students
• “Injury Prevention” for school children, seniors and other groups featuring members’ experiences, and information on preventing injuries and falls
• Advocacy and more

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) promotes a life of inclusion and provides resources for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, their families and communities.

The UCP website has resources on topics such as assistive technology, housing and home modification, travel and transportation, education, caregiving, and more. You can also find UCP affiliates in Illinois.

RxAssist can help you learn how to use pharmaceutical company programs and other resources to reduce your medication costs.

Drugwatch.com provides up-to-date information on prescription and over-the-counter medications, including details on associated side effects to help protect patients and consumers.

HealthyChildren.org is the official parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The site provides the latest information to help support the optimal physical, mental and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. All articles are also provided in Spanish.

CaringBridge is a no-cost, nonprofit health platform that surrounds family caregivers with support while they are caring for a loved one on a health journey.

CaringBridge offers tools to:

• Share and document a health journey
• Simplify care coordination
• Connect caregivers with a supportive community

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership in developing and influencing disability employment-related policies and programs.

WIC is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy.

The WIC page on the Illinois Department of Human Services’ website provides details about WIC services, who can receive these services and how to apply for WIC benefits.