This guide from the Division of Specialized Care for Children aims to help youth understand their rights as a minor related to privacy and obtaining healthcare services. It covers:

• Which services they can receive without parental consent.
• When a parent can access their health information.
• When a provider needs their consent before sharing their health information.

Know Your Rights: Minors’ Consent and Access to Healthcare Services in English

Know Your Rights: Minors’ Consent and Access to Healthcare Services in Spanish.

Helping schools reopen safely and in ways that support equity among students is a top priority for the Department of Education. The purpose of this question-and-answer document is to help students, families, schools, and the public support all students’ rights in educational environments, including in elementary and secondary schools and postsecondary institutions, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidance addresses schools’ responsibilities to students with disabilities in remote, hybrid and in-person situations, touching on everything from the right to a free appropriate public education to handling children who are unable to wear masks or maintain social distance.

The Illinois Department of Human Services in collaboration with the Illinois Commission on Poverty and Economic Security has put together a summary document listing new benefits that are now available to individuals and families through the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan Act.

The types of benefits include stimulus checks, earned income tax credits, child tax credit, unemployment insurance, rental or mortgage assistance and food, cash, childcare and/or medical support.

Since 2009, American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) members have volunteered to provide high-quality orthodontic care for children of families with financial need.

Visit the AAO website for information on eligibility and how to apply.

The pursuit of racial healing and racial equity calls for more than one conversation. To help you plan your first, second or even your 10th conversation, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has curated this list of resources to help shape healthy dialogue across Illinois.

The IDHS initiative Healing Illinois also lists events and resources about racial healing across the state.

The National Runaway Safeline is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week crisis connection line for youth at risk of running away or already have and are looking for help.

Call: (800) Runaway (786-2929)

Text: 66008

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

(800) 662-HELP (4357)

TTY: (800) 487-4889

The Crisis Text Line serves anyone in any type of crisis, 24-hours a day. Trained crisis counselors will respond and help you:

• English, text HOME to 741741
• Spanish, text HOLA to 741741 or text to 442-AYUDAME in WhatsApp

If you are a caregiver, the Crisis Text Line and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) have teamed up to provide free, 24/7 support to help you navigate the stresses and demands of providing care. Caregivers needing mental health support can text TOUGH to 741741.

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health provides frequently-asked questions, tips and resources for how to handle traumatic events.

Information includes possible symptoms after experiencing a traumatic event and when to seek help from a trained professional.

The Transition Services Liaison Project (TSLP) South Dakota aims to help students with disabilities reach their maximum potential in their transition from high school to the adult world.

The project’s Alternatives to Guardianship Stoplight Tool can help with identifying a person’s ability to make decisions and manage key areas of life. It is intended to help with exploring alternatives and less restrictive options to general or full guardianship.