The Special Needs Mom Squad is a non-profit organization based in Lombard. It aims to provide a safe and supportive community where moms of children with special needs can connect, access resources and find emotional and mental support.

The organization helps moms and families through:

• Sensory-friendly events throughout the year
• A safe space where moms can share their stories and feel heard
• Information and resources for understanding their child’s condition

For questions, please contact the Special Needs Mom Squad at (630) 258-7664 or info@specialneedsmomsquad.com.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has developed guides and resources specifically for parents of students with disabilities to help them navigate the educational system and know how to best work with district and school personnel. Visit ISBE’s Special Education – Parents/Guardians page for more information.

For questions, please visit ISBE’s Contact Us page for more details.

The Illinois Student Records Keeper booklet from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is for parents to use to keep important information about their child and their special education and related services. It is a companion to A Parent’s Guide – Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.​​​​​​​

Family members and early care and education providers are adults who notice when the children in their care may have disabilities or developmental delays and would benefit from special education services.

The Illinois Early Learning (IEL) Project’s Special Education Assessment tip sheet series is a helpful tool for learning more about the steps in that process. The IEL also provides an Assessment for Special Education resource list.

For questions, please contact IEL online or call (877) 275-3227.

The Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association’s (HISRA) “Camp Free to Be” is for children with multiple and/or severe disabilities ages 4 to 21.  This day camp runs Monday through Friday, providing eight weeks of fun and exciting activities.

Camp Free to Be matches campers with staff members to ensure their success and can also accommodate a 1:1 ratio. A typical camp day runs from 8:30 am. to 4 p.m. Registration usually opens in February and closes on May 1.

The Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA) is a cooperative extension of the Chilicothe, Morton, Peoria and Washington park districts to provide quality recreation programming and inclusion services.

For questions, please contact HISRA using the online form, call (309) 691-1929, or email info@hisra.org.

Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations (A.B.L.E.) creates theatre and film projects for, with and by individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago. A.B.L.E. offers in-person and online ensembles, specialized workshops and outreach programming for individuals ages 13 and up.

A.B.L.E. is a non-profit organization focusing on building participant confidence and skills, changing society’s beliefs about disability, and creating more inclusive communities. Their programs are financially accessible. No one will be turned away because of their ability to pay.

Check out the video library to watch an ABLE production anytime.

For questions, please contact A.B.L.E. online.

The NubAbility Athletics Foundation is a non-profit organization that encourages, inspires and instructs limb different youth by getting them out of the stands, off the bench and into mainstream sports. NubAbility offers a wide variety of limb-different sports camps nationwide for youth athletes who are congenital, traumatic or medical amputees from around the world.

NubAbility offers camps for a wide range of ages and interests. Options include:

• All sports
• Deep sea fishing
• Competitive shooting
• Equestrian
• Basketball
• Archery and more

For questions, contact NubAbility Athletics Foundation at (618) 357-1394 or info@NubAbility.org.

Sarah’s Inn provides comprehensive services for families affected by domestic violence so that they get the support they need to find safety, rebuild their lives and heal. It serves Chicago and 22 surrounding West Cook County suburban communities. Sarah’s Inn resources include:

• Support and crisis interventions
• Legal support
• Violence prevention programs
• Community education and training programs
• The Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP)

Sarah’s Inn’s 24-hour emergency Crisis Line is (708) 386-4225.

Envision Illinois is a statewide collaborative project addressing domestic violence against people with disabilities and Deaf people. Envision Illinois provides various resources designed for all people, families, agencies and organizations working to ensure that survivors with disabilities have equal access to healing, safety and justice.

Envision Illinois’ website resources include:

• Case studies and scenarios
• Fact sheets and social story-type graphics
• A Mandatory Reporting Toolkit
• Sample forms and templates
• Self-advocacy resources

The Child Neurology Foundation (CNF) is a patient advocacy organization offering tools, education resources and a network of more than 48 organizations to help children and their families living with neurologic conditions find social services and emotional support.

CNF’s Family Support Program helps families navigate the journey of being a caregiver of a child with a neurologic condition. Families can connect with trained staff who will listen and help with:

• Learning about a child neurology disorder and clinical trials
• Connecting to disease-specific organizations
• Talking to another parent
• Navigating insurance and more

Visit the CNF Family Support Program page to learn more. You can request help online or by calling (859) 551-4977.