The Rate Foundation (formerly the Guaranteed Rate Foundation) provides customized financial support to those working to overcome extraordinary hardships.

It’s goal is to offer hope to those in crisis — an opportunity to stop, take a breath and begin healing. The Rate Foundation welcomes applications directly from those in need, as well as from organizations or individuals who wish to nominate applicants. After reviewing applications, the foundation committee grants funds with careful consideration of its ultimate goal: to provide a lasting impact on the lives of our recipients.

For more information, email foundation@rate.com or call (773) 516-6800.

 

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
• Sensory-friendly photo shoots

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.

The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) is a private, non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all children affected by hearing and communication disorders.

Parent resources and programming include:

• Facts about Hearing Loss
• Ages and Stages
• Clinical and Community Outreach
• Music programming
• Music scholarships in the Chicagoland area

The Survivor Empowerment Center provides a safe and secure environment for southern Illinois domestic violence survivors and their children.

The Center provides free, confidential services around-the-clock, 365 days a year to domestic and sexual violence survivors. Women, men, adolescents and children from Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Perry, Saline, Williamson, Union and Gallatin counties are welcome.

Help includes:

• A 24/7 hotline
• A safe place/shelter away from an abuser
• Counseling
• Education and training
• Assistance through medical, reporting and legal procedures

The center has offices in Harrisburg and Franklin County. For more information, call (618) 549-4807 or (866) 979-6636 (TTY). You can also use the center’s Contact Us form.

The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) RTO Parent Bill of Rights is a resource for parents and guardians to help understand their rights, the rights of students, how to file a complaint and other important information related to physical restraint, time out and isolated time out in schools.

More details and helpful documents about restraint, time out and isolated time out, including multiple translations of the RTO Parent Bill of Rights, are on ISBE’s website.

AMC Theatres has partnered with the Autism Society to offer sensory-friendly movie showings on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.

Participating theaters are located throughout Illinois in areas including Chicago, Edwardsville, Peoria, Quincy, Mount Vernon, and Springfield.

The Sensory Friendly Film program allows families to see a movie with lights on, lower sound and the freedom to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes.

Illinois Money Wellness is a text campaign to encourage good money habits for people with disabilities and the people who support them. Illinois Money Wellness provides one text per week with information on financial wellness resources and advice from the National Disability Institute in collaboration with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.

You will receive one text per week and your personal information will not be shared with anyone when you sign up for Illinois Money Wellness. You may use this form to sign up or text MONEY to (833) 313-0298.

A portable medical summary is helpful for summarizing your medical information in one to two pages. You can use this summary across healthcare systems, including:

• With the emergency department
• In the transition to adult providers
• With your college campus health services and more

The summary can help provide quick and concise communication with all providers involved in your care as you transition to adulthood.

“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