Talking with family members about vaccines and healthcare choices can be stressful and scary, especially for teens. The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) has created a “Tips for Teens – Talking with Your Parents or Guardians About Vaccines” handout in English and Spanish to help teens navigate those tricky conversations.

The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides a wide range of COVID-19 vaccination and other immunization resources for families. The information is provided in an easy-to-understand format and is available in English and Spanish.

Topics include:

• COVID-19 treatment for children not in the hospital and at risk for severe illness
• Mental Health During COVID-19: Signs Your Child May Need More Support
• Tips and tricks for before, during and after your immunization visit

The Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S.  territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.

The services locator is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The “Be Ready: Tips for Families of Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN)” toolkit provides videos and infographics in American Sign Language (ASL) and a variety of languages to help families prepare for power outages, floods or other natural disasters that may occur.

The toolkit is available through the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation & Improvement Center (EIIC).

Click here for the ASL version.

The demands of caregiving can be exhausting and overwhelming. HelpGuide has helpful information and steps you can take to rein in stress and regain a sense of balance, joy and hope in your life.

Information includes the signs and symptoms of caregiver stress and burnout and how to take care of your own health.

Traveling with a child with medical complexity can be challenging. Brades’ Place provides tips, tools and templates to help parents with children with specialized healthcare needs plan and create memorable family travel experiences.

The site also provides diagnosis resources for certain conditions.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has trained caseworkers to help families with formula questions. You can contact the IDHS Help Line at (800) 843-6154. The Help Line is primarily for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants but is open to all Illinois residents.

For Illinois WIC participants, a waiver now allows for flexibility in the size and type of formula available to buy with WIC benefits. More details are on IDHS’ “Having Trouble Finding Formula” page. Illinois WIC programs also provide a wide range of support for breastfeeding mothers and funds for healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. More information and updates can be found on the Illinois WIC website. Families can also call (217) 782-2166 for additional support.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website has resources in a variety of languages to help families find infant formula during the shortage.

These resources include information on safe substitutes, formula company contacts and community programs.

HealthyChildren.org, the parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides tips on finding baby formula during the shortage and what you may safely consider if you can’t find any.

The site is updated regularly with helpful information and the latest guidance.