Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) provides plain-language, 24/7 tools in three languages so families can understand and assert their legal rights. ILAO helps people who are unable to find or afford attorneys open opportunities for justice. Its resources can help with crises such as eviction, debt, food insecurity, domestic abuse, deportation and divorce.

The ILAO also provides resources to help with guardianship, education, health and benefits and more.

This transition tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children can help you explore guardianship or another form of support to protect adults who cannot make decisions on their own. It includes information about guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, estate planning (wills and special needs trusts) and more.

DSCC’s Guardianship and Alternatives Tip Sheet in English

DSCC’s Guardianship and Alternatives Tip Sheet in Spanish

The Chicago Department of Health provides this information so individuals can find health care and social services for women, infants, children and families in Chicago.

Information and resources for youth in care and their foster families on promoting independence and self-sufficiency. The website includes the Foster Care Transition Toolkit and Supporting Emancipated Youth Services Program (More information is available on Emancipated Youth Services at https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/brighterfutures/independence/Documents/
Getting_There_Tip_Sheets.pdf.)

Illinois ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest for expenses related to living with a disability without losing, or losing access to, federal means-tested benefits such as SSI, SSDI and Medicaid. Earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if they are spent on a broad range of qualified disability expenses including housing, health and wellness, education and training, therapy, basic living expenses and more.

This publication helps youth prepare for the transition from school to adult life. It provides information about SSI work incentives that primarily affect youth, as well as information about common programs and services that parents, guardians and youth may find helpful. Specific programs covered include the Student Earned Income Exclusion, SSI Continued Payments (Section 301), vocational rehabilitation and the Department of Education’s Parent Centers. Information on Medicaid, the importance of keeping health insurance and having a primary care provider are also included.

Since 2011, Internet Essentials from Comcast has connected more than 8 million low‑income Americans to low‑cost, high‑speed Internet at home. Families may qualify if they are eligible for public assistance programs including the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI and others.

The Parent Advocacy app is a free application for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing attending Individualized Education Program meetings, 504 Plan meetings and more.

The app aims to help you understand your child’s rights and prepare to work with the school in the best interest of your child.

Illinois STAR NET provides Support and Technical Assistance Regionally. It provides a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who touch the lives of young children, ages birth through 8, with an emphasis on children with special needs. STAR NET supports family-centered, researched and effective practices in early childhood education and care.

STAR NET Region IV is administered by the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education in Belleville. , IL 62220. STAR NET Region IV serves 38 counties in the southernmost region of Illinois.

STAR NET Region VI is part of the Illinois STAR NET system and is supported through a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with Southwest Cooperative. STAR NET provides training, consultation and resources to the early childhood community.

The STAR NET system assists the State Board of Education in meeting local needs by providing services to professionals and parents of young children with special needs throughout Illinois.

STAR NET Region VI serves South Cook, Kane, Kendall, Kankakee, LaSalle, Will and  Grundy counties.

STAR NET Region VI
6020 W. 151st Street
Oak Forest, Il  60452
Phone:  (708) 342-5370
Fax: (708) 687-2247
email: starnet6vi@gmail.com