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.

Illinois Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side (GBYS) is a free program providing unbiased information, one-on-one support and resources and trained Parent Guides to talk and/or meet with you if you have a child with hearing loss or a suspected hearing loss.

Parent Guides are adults who have children with a hearing loss. They provide unbiased information and resources regarding communication, educational and technological choices. They help families identify their options and not tell them which options  to choose. They support families and can help them navigate through the many systems and services available in Illinois. They work as a team with professionals offering a well rounded care system for families.

The Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (IL EHDI) Program works to ensure families of babies and children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive appropriate and timely services. These services include hearing screening, diagnosis, early intervention and parent-to-parent support, provided through coordinated systems of care.

Families and providers can learn more about the EHDI program and find resources on the Illinois Sound Beginnings website.