Project Strong and Unified Network (Project SUN) is a family-driven, youth-guided and community-based system of care in Kankakee County. Project SUN provides resources, training and community education about children’s behavioral health and other child and family wellness topics. Its services include:

• Helping families navigate their children’s mental, emotional and behavioral health systems of care through trained staff and volunteer Community Navigators
• Supporting families on their journey by training peer parent mentors and companions and offering appreciation events for caregivers
• Assisting parents and youth to gain the skills necessary to actively participate in their care planning and delivery
• Offering professional development training for mental, emotional and behavioral health service providers
• Providing community education with a focus on children and their families

For questions, please contact Project SUN at (815) 304-5933.

Jill’s House House Weekend Adventures (JHWA) and Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva, Wis., provide a two-day camping experience for kids and teens ages 6 to 17 with intellectual disabilities in the Chicagoland area. The program designs activities around campers’ needs. These activities include playing games, having cookouts, enjoying nature and making new friends.

The camp cannot support certain health and behavioral conditions. Please visit JHWA’s website for the specific eligibility requirements and intake application process.

For questions, please contact Jill’s House using the online form or call (703) 639-5660.

Endeavor Health serves patients across Chicagoland and includes NorthShore University HealthSystem, Edward-Elmhurst Health, Northwest Community Healthcare and Swedish Hospital. Its community programs provide low-cost, accessible care options, including routine care, specialty services, wellness programs, support groups and more.

Endeavor Health community programs and clinics include:

• Community access to health centers, clinics and more
• Mobile dental clinics for residents of Elk Grove, Palatine, Schaumburg and Wheeling Townships who financially qualify
• The Community Resource Center (CRC) for individuals and immigrant families in the northwest suburbs needing multilingual services, referrals and other types of help
• Community CARE (Creating Access to Resources for Equity) programs addressing food insecurity, health education, mental health, support for survivors of violence and more

If you have any questions, please visit Endeavor Health’s Contact Us page online.

The Center for Chronic Illness (CCI) is a nonprofit organization that offers support and education to promote well-being and reduce isolation for people affected by chronic illness. CCI offers adults and teens living with chronic illness a variety of support groups and programs focusing on emotional well-being, health education and community. ​CCI provides:

• Chronic illness support groups for adults and teens
• Supporting loved ones and parenting children with health challenges support groups
• BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ support groups
• Health education programs
• Resources

For questions, contact CCI at (425) 296-2705 or info@thecenterforchronicillness.org.

Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP) is a nonprofit organization serving youth between the ages of 13 and 24 who are experiencing pain, feelings of isolation and loneliness. CHYP provides educational resources, peer connection and exposure to creative healing experiences to help bridge the gap between common healthcare barriers such as cost, geographic location and long wait times for appointments. Resources are available for both youth and their parents.

CHYP resources include:

• Information on the science of pain
• Strategies for breaking the pain cycle
• On-demand webinars for youth and parents
• Monthly open Zoom meetings for youth (ages 13 to 24)
• Small group and Zoom meetings for parents
• Summer camp

For questions, fill out CHYP’s online form or email admin@mychyp.org.

After 22 is Richard J. Daley College’s comprehensive transition program for adults with disabilities ages 18 and older. The After 22 Pilot Program connects adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to career training, educational opportunities and jobs. This program also teaches students life skills, provides them with coaches and mentors, and allows them to experience social and extracurricular activities.

Students who complete this program will earn a Career Advancement Certificate from the college (not an academic degree).

To enroll in After 22, students must have been ensured a free public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), have a documented intellectual disability, have a high school diploma or GED, and be 18 or older.

Diverse Abilities – YMCA provides a wide variety of programs to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, or background, can thrive. Diverse Abilities offers individuals with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other special needs the opportunity to participate in a wide range of classes and activities tailored to their needs and comfort levels.

Diverse Abilities-YMCA programs include:

• SNAP (Special Needs Aquatics Program)
• Gymnastics
• Saturday Strikers providing a safe and welcoming environment for building skills and learning how to navigate the everyday world
• Sports

If you have any questions, please email diverseabilities@springfieldymca.org.

The St. Louis Dental Center offers comprehensive special care dentistry for patients with intellectual, physical, and emotional disabilities, as well as other special healthcare needs. It is a partnership of A.T. Still University (ATSU) and Affinia Healthcare.

The center’s special care suites include a wheelchair lift. The center accepts Medicaid and most dental insurance plans. Discounts are available to uninsured patients.

If you have any questions or need more information, please visit St. Louis Dental Center’s Contact Us page online.

The Adolescent Suicide Postvention Resources Hub provides articles, books and other comprehensive resources to support adolescents and their communities as they navigate the grieving process and find a path towards healing. Resources are available for individuals, communities and school districts.

“Postvention” is a term to describe best practices after a suicide. The Adolescent Suicide Postvention Resources Hub offers information on topics including:

• Communicating and understanding postvention
• Parent resources and support groups
• 24/7 support

The Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice is a national resource center for youth with disabilities. Youth Voice, Youth Choice provides self-advocates, their families and supporters with advocacy, teaching tools for alternatives to guardianship, plain language resources and more. It offers:

• Videos and youth stories
• Alternatives to guardianship tools with stories and resources to help make tough decisions
• A plain language series featuring a wide variety of important topics
• The Youth Ambassador Curriculum for building leadership and advocacy skills

For questions, please contact the Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice by calling (617) 287 -4300 or emailing youthvoice@umb.edu.