Healthy Beginnings is a free, evidence-based initiative for moms in the Champaign, Urbana and Savoy area who are first-time moms less than 29 weeks pregnant and moms with other children who are pregnant. Its goal is to help ensure children and their families have an opportunity to be prosperous and live the healthiest life they can.

Healthy Beginnings works with eligible mothers and their families to help bring the healthcare, support and resources together that fit individual circumstances, including:

• Nurse home visiting care/support for pregnant moms & their families (with interpreter services)
• Mobile clinic services
• Child and family education
• Employment opportunities
• Access to healthy food

For more information or to make a referral, call (217) 365-7925 or email referral@cuhealthybeginnings.com.

Special Father’s Network is a dad-to-dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs.

The program connects new fathers with special needs children to another father (a Mentor Father) who has experienced a similar situation. The program matches Mentor Fathers as closely as possible based on the child’s special needs, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic group and relationship to the child e.g., .father, stepfather, grandfather).

The Special Father’s Network is available through the 21st Century Dads Foundation, which raises awareness and resources for greater father involvement and seeks to inspire dads to be present, caring and nurturing.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Caregivers is a tool to help parents and their children prepare for the transition to adulthood and taking care of their healthcare needs. You can fill out this form to see what you already know about your child’s health and the areas you think they want to learn more about.

Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Caregivers in English

Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Caregivers in Spanish

The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) assessment form will help young adults see what they already know about their health, how to use health care and the areas they want to learn more about as they transition to adulthood.

Self-Care Skills Assessment for Young Adults in English

Self-Care Skills Assessment for Young Adults in Spanish/Evaluación de habilidades de autocuidado para adultos jóvenes

Opportunities for Access – A Center for Independent Living (OFACIL) is a member of the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living serving residents of Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Hamilton, Jasper, Jefferson, Marion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne and White counties. Offices are located in Mt. Vernon, Carmi and Effingham.

Programs include:

• Skills and employment training
• Support groups and advocacy
• Housing referral and community reintegration
• Youth transition and parent training program
• Adaptive equipment

Crosswalk Community Action Agency (CCAA) offers a variety of programs and services to help individuals and families in Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson and Williamson Counties. CCAA programs address the “day-to-day” needs and help individuals work to become self-sufficient.

Programs include:

• A Diaper Program
• Emergency Services
• Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
• Food Pantry
• Homeless Prevention Services
• Home Repair and Rehabilitation
• Home Weatherization (IHWAP)
• Scholarships

Good Samaritan Ministries provides assistance to families and individuals in need in the Carbondale area. Programs and services include:

• Emergency assistance
• An emergency shelter and transitional housing
• A soup kitchen
• Food pantry

The Tri-State Foodbank partners with southern Illinois agencies to provide food assistance in Alexander, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Johnson, Lawrence, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne and White counties.

Please use the “Find A Pantry” tool to locate local pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens offering free food to those in need.

Guaranteed Rate Foundation provides financial support to those working to overcome extraordinary hardships.

Knowing that it can be difficult to ask for help in times of need, the foundation strives to make the request for assistance process as simple as possible and encourages applicants to contact them with any questions.

Children in Therapy and You (C.I.T.Y.) of Support is an online and in-person community that supports all families navigating the needs of their child in therapy, regardless of diagnosis, age, therapeutic needs or overall situation. Information, resources and events are available online.

C.I.T.Y. of Support includes members from all across Chicagoland. Local leaders help coordinate on-site events and opportunities within specific geographic regions. C.I.T.Y. programs include:

• In-person and online events and classes
• Celebrations and inclusive playgroups
• NICU welcome kits
• GENERO-C.I.T.Y. Toy Shop

C.I.T.Y. of Support also sponsored the creation of the Accessibility Support Collection at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Children in therapy and their caregivers may borrow therapeutic toys/tools/print materials from the library to explore at home.