Life can be stressful. The American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health has developed “The Calm Toolbox: Healthy Ways to Cope With Stress” to help. It offers activities to help calm your nervous system by slowing your breathing and heart rate, providing a positive distraction or providing a physical outlet for releasing energy.

You can access “The Calm Toolbox: Healthy Ways to Cope With Stress” online.

A PDF version of The Calm Toolkit is also available to download.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at a high risk of co-occurring mental health conditions, but this serious issue is often overlooked and misunderstood. The Arc of Illinois provides this “Suicide Prevention and People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: What You Need to Know” fact sheet about signs to look for and ways you can help.

People with IDD may not know how to verbally express what they are feeling or may not use spoken language to communicate. Their behaviors may communicate their feelings more than spoken words. Suicidal thoughts can progress and increase over time. It’s important to notice the signs early on so you can intervene quickly.

Hippocrates Medical Clinic is a free, non-profit medical clinic for uninsured and underinsured individuals in Kankakee County. Volunteers provide clinic services in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Hippocrates Medical Clinic is located at 606 E. Court Street in Kankakee, Ill.  You can make appointments on Monday through Thursday by calling (815) 216-3446. Office hours are subject to change.

A.B.L.E. (Artists Breaking Limits and Expectations) in Chicago is a non-profit organization offering accessible performing arts programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 15 and up, with a focus on adults 22 and older who are the most underserved. It strives to be a model for meaningful, accessible and inclusive theatre in Chicago and beyond. A.B.L.E. programs equip participants with transferable skills and spotlight disability to shift societal preconceptions and build more inclusive, empathetic communities.

A.B.L.E. welcomes participants who identify as having an intellectual or developmental disability. A.B.L.E. Ensembles offer opportunities to:

• Explore a range of performance styles
• Build strengths and pursue interests
• Create one-of-a-kind showcases and performances

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices are welcome and encouraged, as is sign language. Participants don’t need to read a script or memorize a monologue.

Visit A.B.L.E.’s website to see the Actor FAQs and to learn more about A.B.L.E. Ensemble options, costs, financial assistance and other details. For more information, call (773) 234-4427.

Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL) operates a wide variety of programs to support, mentor and advocate for disability rights and independent living for residents in DeWitt, Ford, Livingston and McLean counties.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are nonprofit, nonresidential organizations that provide advocacy, peer support, information and referral, independent living skills training and transition services. Illinois has 22 CILs across the state. At least 51% of board and staff members at each CIL must be individuals with disabilities who are strong mentors and advocates for disability rights and independent living.

LIFE CIL has two locations:

• 2201 Eastland Drive, Suite 1, Bloomington, IL 61704
  Phone: (309) 663-5433 or (888) 543-3245
• 216 N. Main St., Pontiac, IL 61764
  Phone: (815) 844-1132

Hope WINS (What I Need to Succeed) is a family-driven organization focused on educating and equipping families with the tools they need to create healthy relationships and nurturing environments where families can flourish. Programs include an around-the-clock parent support line, a family connection night, a parent support group, summer and pop-up camps, and resources for families in northwest Illinois.

• R.I.S.E. (Reflect, Inquire, Support, Empower) Parent Support Group
• R.I.S.E. Family Connection Events
• R.I.S.E. Parent-to-Parent Partners peer mentorship program for caregivers

The Hope WINS Support Line for parents and caregivers is open 24 hours a day for anyone in need of help through any crisis, big or small. Call or text (877) 221-HOPE (221-4673).

For questions, contact Hope WINS at hopewins20237@gmail.com or (815) 990-1907.

Children’s Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company (CTE/FVTC) is a not-for-profit based in Elgin that offers all individuals an opportunity to learn, grow and enrich their lives through theatre. It provides fun and exciting programs that offer children, youth and young adults an affordable opportunity to experience the performing arts, either as participants or audience members. CTE/FVTC also provides a variety of summer camps and accessible, sensory-friendly and American Sign Language-interpreted performances throughout the year.

See CTE/FVTC’s Frequently Asked Questions page for more details.

If you have questions, please email office@cteelgin.com or call (847) 214-7152.

The Dysautonomia Project (TDP) is a non-profit, collaborative effort of volunteer healthcare providers, patients and community leaders working together to bridge the gap between what autonomic specialists know and what community-based providers and patients need to know. TDP provides a wide variety of help and information for patients and clinicians, including:

• Dysautonomia: what it is, common symptoms and types
• Patient resources
• Patient support and assistance center
• Patient and clinician webinars and courses
• Help finding a clinician

The Brenda Holzer Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works directly with families, school districts and other organizations to help children with disabilities. It supports children with disabilities by improving accessibility, advocating for understanding and lending a loving hand to those in need in Kendall County and the surrounding areas.

You can print the Brenda Holzer Memorial Foundation Application for Support or contact the foundation using the Contact Us form.

The Illinois Department of Human Services provides a list of resources for grandparents raising grandchildren.  The list of organizations providing help and information includes:

• Statewide programs offered through the Illinois Department on Aging
• Legal help
• Insurance information
• A podcast devoted to grandparents raising grandchildren
• Magazines and other publications