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.

For questions, visit Holly’s House of Hope’s Contact Us page.

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.

If you have questions, please contact the Illinois FAIR Plan Association at (312) 861-0385 or (800) 972-4480.

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 (IEL) 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.

If you have questions, please contact IEL online or call (877) 275-3227. EIL will try to reply to inquiries within one week.

The Autism Society Quad Cities aims to create connections and empower everyone in the autism community with the resources they need to live fully. Its programs include educational workshops, grants, support groups for moms, support groups for young adults, and the “Friendship Island” group for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder ages 12 to 18.

The Autism Society Quad Cities serves Rock Island and Henry counties in Illinois.

If you have questions, please contact the Autism Society Quad Cities at autismqc@gmail.com.

The Autism Society Southern Illinois promotes individual choices and self-determination for those living with autism by providing supportive programs designed to help maximize opportunities and quality of life.

It is based in Carbondale and provides support groups, education and training on autism-related topics, advocacy and recreation opportunities for families and adults with autism.

For questions, please call the Autism Society Southern Illinois at (618) 319-3303.

La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center (LRCAC) provides a safe and child-friendly environment where children and adolescents can receive supportive services following allegations of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, other forms of child maltreatment or exposure to violent crime.

The LRCAC’s mission is to reduce trauma and provide supportive services to children and families involved in investigations of child abuse and violent crime using a multidisciplinary team approach that combines efforts of law enforcement, child protection investigators, prosecutors, medical personnel and mental health providers.

LRCAC provides forensic interviewing, advocacy, and follow-up services at no cost to children and families living in the south suburbs of Cook County.

For questions, please call the LRCAC at (708) 481-9799. Call are taken Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The Chicago Child Trauma Center (CCTC) serves Chicago-area children ages 1 to 18 affected by traumatic events, including physical and sexual abuse, witnessing violence, and complex trauma. The center aims to provide expert-level trauma care to children and their families and address social justice issues.

CCTC clinicians include psychologists, social workers, counselors and case managers who have specialized training and expertise in trauma assessment and treatment models. Care includes case management, advocacy and collaboration with outside providers.

If you are seeking services for a child who has been exposed to trauma and is in need of therapeutic services, contact CCTC’s intake coordinator at (773) 374-3748, ext. 2221, to determine if these services would be a good fit.

The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program provides resources to help people affected by violent crime. Under the Crime Victims Compensation Act, the Office of the Attorney General can reimburse eligible victims up to $45,000 ($27,000 for crimes before Aug. 7, 2022) for expenses incurred as a result of a violent crime. The Attorney General’s website provides the Crime Victim Compensation Program application in English, Polish and Spanish, and a video with steps for completing the form. Individuals can also call the Crime Victim Assistance Line at (800) 228-3368 for help.

Eligible violent crime victims can receive financial assistance with:

• Accessibility and usability of property
• Crime scene clean up
• Funeral/burial expenses
• Loss of earnings
• Medical, hospital, dental and mental health counseling expenses
• Relocation and replacement costs
• Tuition expenses