“Family Connections with Pediatrics” is a series of family-written blogs summarizing research articles in Pediatrics Journal. Each blog explains the “scientific literature” findings and what they may mean for families, including:

• Examples of how the findings apply to real-life situations
• Suggestions for ways that families and healthcare professionals can work together for the health and well-being of children and families

The Child Neurology Foundation has curated a resource page to help families with complex healthcare needs navigate the school year.

Topics include:

• Tips and Strategies for a Smooth School Year
• Mental Health and School
• IEP and 504 Resources
• Medicaid Expansion in Schools

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.

For questions, please contact Caritas Family Solutions.

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
• Housing and residential programs

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

For questions, please contact Thresholds. If you need services, please contact the Thresholds’ intake services team. You can also call (773) 572-5500 or email ServiceCenter@thresholds.org.

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

For questions, please call (312) 376-1880 or email info@cdelaw.org.

 

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

For questions, please visit LRII contact page or call (773) 356 – 5923.

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)
• Bright Start 529 college savings plan

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.