Caritas Family Solutions is a non-profit social services agency that works to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of people in southern Illinois.

Services include adoption support, foster care, community integrated living arrangements, counseling, parenting classes, pregnancy care and more.

Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS) serves youth ages 11 to 17 who are involved in the legal system or at risk of crisis (homelessness, etc.). CCBY provides programs to help stabilize families and prevent or minimize involvement in the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems. Anyone can request services for an eligible youth, including the youth.

CCBY services include:

• Assessments
• Statewide 24/7 crisis intervention services
• Juvenile justice system intervention services
• Placement services for crisis youth – shelter, foster care, etc.

You can contact the toll-free CCBYS Information Line at (877) 870-2663.

Thresholds provides recovery services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. Thresholds’ services include:

• Youth and young adult services
• Deaf program
• Intensive outreach for mental illness
• Training and workforce development
• Integrated primary and behavioral health care

Thresholds offers programs at more than 75 locations throughout Chicago, the adjacent suburbs and four surrounding counties.

The Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cook County. CDEL offers programs and appointments at community sites on matters including:

• Adult guardianship
• Financial and housing stability
• Estate and end-of-life planning
• Divorce

The Latino Resource Institute of Illinois (LRII) provides case management, advocacy, community outreach, counseling and other services to individuals and families in the south side of Chicago and suburban Cook County. LRII also offers:

• Coaching and mentoring
• Work readiness, life skills/empowerment training
• Court advocacy

If you cannot pay your energy bill due to financial difficulties, North Shore Gas has flexible payment arrangement plans or energy assistance options that may help.

They also include information about these programs:

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
• Share the Warmth, company- and customer-funded heating grants

Illinois Cares for Kids provides parents, caregivers, teachers and childcare providers a place to find information on statewide programs related to early learning and development, child care and family well-being in English and Spanish. The website includes information about:

• Child development and education for kids of all ages
• Healthcare coverage and emotional well-being
• Home visiting programs
• Child care subsidy programs
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• “Ready for K” (Ready4K), a statewide text messaging platform offering fun facts and tips on children’s learning and development in multiple languages

ABLE Accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families, were created as a result of the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 or better known as the ABLE Act

The ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience Act) National Resource Center provides information and best practices related to tax-advantaged ABLE savings accounts and federal and state-related ABLE programs and activities.

Rising Lights Project is dedicated to creating environments for individuals affected by disability to learn, laugh, thrive and engage with the Fox Valley Community.

Rising Lights Project provides opportunities that engage, encourage, educate and empower people from all areas of the community to change the way disability is viewed and create new opportunities to keep those with disability engaged and connected. The project hosts inclusive events that are accessible and sensory-friendly for all ages.

myFace is a nonprofit organization that provides individuals and families affected by cleft and other craniofacial differences access to personal stories, education and support.

Resources include:

• Information on craniofacial conditions
• Parent resources
• Virtual craniofacial support groups and networking opportunities
• Educational webinars and podcasts