Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover dental services, including check-ups, x-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings and more. Use this Dentist Locator to find a dentist in your community who sees children and accepts Medicaid and CHIP.

If you don’t have coverage, learn more about free or low-cost health insurance available in your area at InsureKidsNow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW/(877) 543-7669.

Children with special needs may need extra time or support when seeing a dentist. This tip sheet provides resources and the steps needed to balance your child’s needs with the dentist’s experience.

You can view the  Dental Care for Children with Special Needs tip sheet from the InsureKidsNow.gov website.

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation offers virtual support groups to help individuals who are living with paralysis or caring for a family member who is living with paralysis. The support groups provide an opportunity for members to connect with others who understand what they are going through and to gain support, insight and guidance.

Group meetings are led by a mental health professional and a peer with lived experience and are conducted in an open forum/conversational format. Separate groups are held for individuals living with quadriplegia, those living with paraplegia and family members/caregivers.

The National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC), operated by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, seeks to improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. The NPRC assists people as they navigate through the various stages of their recovery after the diagnosis of paralysis.

NPRC offers free tips and information on health, costs and insurance, choosing a wheelchair, home and travel, and help for caregivers. NPRC also offers:

• Information specialists
• Peer and family support programs
• Updates on advocacy/policy initiatives
• A program for veterans and current service members

If you have questions, please email Peer@ChristopherReeve.org.

Autism McLean created an autism resource directory that is available electronically and as a booklet. The directory includes:

• Personal stories
• Local health, education and service providers
• Transportation contacts
• Camps and recreation opportunities
• State and national organizations
• Books, magazines and newsletters

Download the resource directory here. For a hard copy of the directory, please contact Chuck Hartseil at chuck.hartseil@comcast.net.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call, text or chat live with the Illinois Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at (877) 863-6338 (877-TO END DV).

The Hotline provides crisis intervention and referrals to an emergency situation and support services to victims who are in an abusive relationship. In addition, Hotline advocates can provide information and resources to concerned family and friends.

The Hotline is confidential, available 24 hours a day and can help you no matter what language you speak. More information about the hotline and other Illinois resources is available on the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence website.

Mental health is an important part of overall health for children as well as adults. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) provides a list of behavioral signs and symptoms to watch for in children and adolescents. This NIH site also includes information on:

• Addressing and finding treatment
• Health hotlines
• Mental health research news
• Educational information

Love is Respect, a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, offers information, support and advocacy to young people between the ages of 13 and 26 who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships. Free, confidential services are available anytime via:

• Live chat
• Call (866) 331-9474 or TTY (800) 787-3224
• Text ‘LOVEIS’ to 22522

Services for the deaf and hard of hearing are also available:

• Videophone (855) 812-1001
• Instant messenger at DeafHotline
• Email nationdeafhotline@adwas.org

Love is Respect also provides a Parent Discussion Guide on Youth Healthy Relationships.

Between Friends is dedicated to preventing domestic violence and ending the cycle of abuse by equipping our communities with the tools necessary for everyone to feel safe and equal in their relationships. Between Friends provides a 24-hour helpline at (800) 603-4357 and a safe, supportive environment where individuals and families in crisis can access programs including:

• Relationship education to prevent teen dating violence
• Counseling to empower clients to make their own decisions and choices
• Legal assistance
• Education and training
• Resources for navigating conversations about an abusive relationship
• Help for adult, teen and child survivors of domestic violence

Programs are provided in multiple languages.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will allow Medicaid-participating pharmacies to prescribe and bill for COVID-19 home test kits.

This coverage went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and applies to Medicaid fee-for-service and HealthChoice Illinois managed care plans.