The Dream Factory is a volunteer-driven children’s wish-granting organization. Volunteers raise funds in their communities to grant dreams to local children ages 3 through 18 who have a life-threatening illness or are critically and chronically ill. Dreams are granted through local chapters. Referrals can be made by:

• A parent or legal guardian of an ill child
• A treating physician of an ill child
• The ill child

In Illinois, contact the Dream Factory of Central Illinois at centralillinois@dreamfactoryinc.org. You can find other local chapters on the Dream Factory website.

Disability EmpowHer Network is a non-profit run by and for girls and women with disabilities that connects, motivates, and guides girls and women to learn and develop to their highest potential and have the confidence to lead. The group, based in Rochester, NY, focuses on building skills and community by connecting girls with disabilities with successful women with disabilities to serve as mentors and role models.

Resources and programs include:

•  A stories blog
• EmpowHer Camp (a year-long program)
• Letter from a role model
• Get a Mentor
• EmpowHer Expressions, a public speaking and career coaching program

FindTreatment.gov is a confidential and anonymous resource for people seeking treatment options anywhere in the United States. Information about paying for treatment and understanding addiction and mental health is also available. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) oversees the site.

FindTreatment.org also offers:

• The National Helpline at (800) 662-4357
• State substance use and mental health agency links and phone numbers
• Video tutorials for using the site
• Information about the Disaster Distress Helpline for counseling related to disasters
• Other treatment resources

Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association (IRVSRA) provides recreation and social opportunities for individuals ages 7 and up with a wide range of disabilities. Programs include year-round Special Olympics, sports, camps, social clubs, trips and more.  IRVSRA is part of the Pekin and Fon du Lac park districts serving residents and non-residents in Tazewell County and the surrounding area.

Rebuilding Together is a nationwide nonprofit providing critical, high-impact home repair and renovation services at no cost to eligible homeowners in need. Organization affiliates focus on community projects aimed at improving safety, quality of life and independence for all people. Illinois affiliates are located in Aurora, Henry County, Metro Chicago, North Suburban Chicago, Peoria, Southwest Illinois, and Stephenson County.

Use the Rebuilding Together locator to get up-to-date information for each location. Rebuilding Together services may include:

• Ramps and home repair services targeting significant safety and health hazards
• Minor repairs and modifications such as installing grab bars and securing or installing interior and exterior railings
• Community projects based on input from residents and other stakeholders

Understood is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with learning and thinking differences thrive in school, at work and throughout life. Understood raises awareness about dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and neurodiversity by sharing personal stories and providing resources for understanding behaviors, supporting learning, building everyday skills and exploring careers.

Understood’s resources include:

• Fact sheets on myths, ADHD, bullying and more
• Toolkits
• Communication strategies for all stages of life
• Podcasts featuring personal stories and perspectives

It’s important for everyone involved in your child’s care to understand their needs and what makes them unique. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has created “All About Me” Pages that you can personalize to help anyone on your care team and beyond get to know your child. These free templates highlight what works best for your child, what they like and dislike and who they are as a person.

There are a variety of designs to choose from to help you capture your child’s personality. You can share them with doctors, nurses, schools, other caregivers and more. Templates are available in both English and Spanish.

The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities offers a wide range of tools to empower youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) ages 12 to 26 to direct their transition from pediatric to adult care. This national site is a one-stop shop where young people and their families, clinicians, and direct care providers can find videos and other resources for understanding and navigating the transition to adult health care.

Site resources include:

• An “Introduction to Health Care Transition (HCT)” for youth and young adults
• A “Moving to Adult Health Care: Six-Part Toolkit Series for Health Care Transition”
• Videos and interactive quizzes
• Changes in insurance and legal rights
• Quick guides and infographics

BJC Hospice hosts Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp each year for children and teens who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. The weekend-long, overnight camp provides a safe place for campers ages 6 to 15 to explore their grief and emotions.

The camp usually takes place in August and is free for all children who have lost loved ones, not just families served by BJC Hospice (service areas include Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, Calhoun, Marion, Greene and portions of Pike and Perry counties).

The Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living (IVCIL) serves individuals with disabilities and their families living in LaSalle, Marshall, Bureau, Putnam, and Stark counties. Located in Spring Valley, IVCIL provides services and advocates for the rights of people with disabilities to choose what is best for themselves and their families.

IVCIL also provides community grants. Individuals and agencies can apply year-round. Other IVCIL programs and services include:

• Independent living and community services
• Youth and transition services
• Peer counseling
• Personal assistant program
• Site accessibility assessments