BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) is a centralized resource for Illinois youth and families seeking services for behavioral health needs. It streamlines the process of finding and accessing behavioral health services  to help ensure that every child in Illinois can receive the support they need.

BEACON is available to families, state agency staff and healthcare providers across Illinois:

• Families can use BEACON to find services, get help navigating complicated systems and connect with state programs.
• State agency staff can use the public portal to coordinate care across programs.

To learn more about BEACON, you can:

• Download the BEACON flyer in several languages and find training materials on the Illinois Department of Human Services website.
• Read the BEACON frequently asked questions for more information.
• Watch the instructional video on how to use BEACON.

El Mercadito is a partnership between La Casa Norte and Nourishing Hope. This partnership provides Chicago residents fresh food, benefits assistance, job search training, mental health counseling, and access to housing information and referral services. Assistance is available in multiple languages.

Nourishing Hope also offers a free, monthly Online Market service where individuals can:

• Place a grocery order using any computer or smartphone
• Order frozen meats, canned goods, cereal, milk, eggs, and fresh produce each month
• Pick up from the warehouse, The Hub or Sheridan Market
• Skip waiting in line
• Continue access to the physical pantry/market

The Coordinated Entry System for Chicago (CES) connects people experiencing homelessness to housing opportunities in Chicago. CES can refer youth, individuals and families to housing. Its website includes information for individuals and service providers on finding housing, walk-in locations for assessments and updates (Access Points) and more.

The Coordinated Entry Call Center is also available at (312) 971-4178 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Individuals meeting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definition of homelessness can call to complete a CES housing assessment. Assessments and updates are available on a walk-in basis at access point locations throughout Chicago. Please contact the office (access point) in advance to confirm hours.

Anyone who needs emergency shelter should call 311.

Easterseals has a Voting Checklist for People with Disabilities to help people with disabilities make sure their voice is heard at the polls. The checklist explains how to learn about elections in your area, your rights as a voter with a disability,  what to do if your rights are being violated and more. You can also download a voting resource card to take with you to the polls.

Beautiful Lives Project gives people with disabilities the opportunity to actively participate in activities and events that may not have been available to them previously due to physical or facility limitations.

The project creates immersive events aimed at defeating isolation within the disabled community and sparking deeper conversations about the value of integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce. The organization works with companies, sports teams and community organizations to host free community events for individuals with disabilities of all ages throughout Illinois and beyond.

These events aim to help to defeat isolation today, break down social biases tomorrow and generate long-term actions that will create a better quality of life for people with disabilities and special needs in the future. Each unique event provides the opportunity to experience sports, performing arts, visual arts, nature or wellness in an inclusive environment.

Holly’s House of Hope helps young adults with disabilities who had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are on the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Needs) waiting list build job skills, socialize and engage in their community. It offers skill assessment, vocational training, life skills, employment placement in inclusive environments and social interaction.

Holly’s House of Hope partners with local ministries and agencies to help participants gain skills, find joy and serve others in need throughout the community.

Project Sweet Peas is a national non-profit organization providing support to families and caregivers of premature or sick infants and families impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. Programs include neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care packages, remembrance memory boxes, peer-to-peer support groups and NICU family financial aid, hospital events, remembrance vigils and educational materials.

Project Sweet Peas also offers:

• A NICU Family Navigation & Support (Project Sweet Peas) group on Facebook
• Journal workshop for NICU and bereaved parents
• Downloadable mental health worksheets
• A list of area locations nationwide

The Illinois FAIR Plan Association offers property insurance to qualified applicants in Illinois who are unable to buy insurance through the standard insurance market for reasons beyond their control. The FAIR Plan may be an answer for responsible property owners or homeowners who are having a problem obtaining property insurance in the standard market.

Many insured individuals use the FAIR Plan as a temporary market for a year or two until they qualify for coverage in the standard market.

The FAIR Plan offers Dwelling Property, Commercial Property and a broad range of Homeowners coverage for property owners, renters and condominium owners. Please visit the Illinois FAIR Plan Association website or call (312) 861-0385 for more details.

Every child is unique, and some children face extra physical or learning challenges. Parents often have questions about sources of information and support. This Finding Help for Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays resource list from the Illinois Early Learning Project shares information for parents on how to get your child evaluated, how to get special education services for your child and where to find more information to support children with autism, Down syndrome, hearing loss and vision loss.

The Illinois Early Learning Project provides this Special Education and Inclusion in Early Care and Education resource list for early childhood special education and inclusive childcare for children ages 3 to 5 years old. The resources include tip sheets on choosing child care for infants and toddlers, choosing a preschool, inclusion in preschool classrooms and special education assessment for preschool-aged children.