OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois’  OSF Autism Pathways provides tools, information and resources to help individuals of all ages navigate their autism journey. The OSF Autism Pathways team can help answer questions about treatment options and other concerns. It can also help connect individuals to autism services and supports.

OSF Autism Pathways’ services and resources include:

• General autism information and resources
• Autism diagnostic services
• Behavioral health, crisis and respite care supports
• Daily living skills development and transition to adulthood planning
• Employment and job coaching
• Family supports and financial planning
• Social and recreational opportunities
• Therapeutic interventions

To refer yourself or your child, please call (844) 910-0770 or (309) 624-4830. You can also fill out the OSF Autism Pathways online form.

The “Independent Living, Here We Come Toolkit” is for young people and adults with disabilities who want to learn to live on their own or take care of themselves with less help. It serves as a guide for family members, caregivers, teachers and others helping anyone with disabilities navigate and build greater independence.

The toolkit is divided into 13 skill areas. You can complete one section at a time or download the entire “Independent Living, Here We Come Toolkit.”

Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans and the Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center created this toolkit.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness West Central Illinois (NAMI WCI) advocates for better lives for individuals who have a mental illness, and to erase stigmas associated with mental health, support and treatment. Headquartered in Mt. Sterling, NAMI WCI serves residents in Adams, Brown, Cass, Greene, Hancock, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Schuyler and Scott counties.

NAMI WCI supports anyone concerned about mental illnesses and the treatment of mental illness. Its resources include:

• A Behavioral Health Resource Guide containing local information and help
• An up-to-date calendar of events and support groups
• NAMI’s National Helpline Resource Directory

For more information, email NAMI_WCI@namillinois.org.

Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF Healthcare) provides mental health, healthcare and health insurance enrollment assistance. SIHF Healthcare offers dedicated primary care providers and health centers in various communities. It also accepts most insurance plans and offers a sliding fee scale so everyone can access quality care.

SIHF Healthcare offers community health centers and resources in Alton, Arthur, Belleville, Bethalto, Bunker Hill, Centreville, Charleston, Collinsville, East St Louis, Effingham, Fairmont City, Granite City, Greenup, Mattoon, Millstadt, O’Fallon, Olney, Red Bud, Salem, Swansea and Vandalia. Resources include:

• Primary care provider services
• Free blood pressure machines
• Health education and promotion
• Health insurance enrollment assistance
• Help with locating similar services statewide at (618) 646-2545 or chwprogram@sihf.org

The Autism Hero Project champions inclusion and fosters an environment where everyone, regardless of neurodiversity, is valued and empowered to thrive. The organization helps support, equip and foster acceptance of people with autism.

The Autism Hero Project provides:

• Autism information and resources
• Annual medical insurance grants
• Family-friendly, inclusive events and more

The Autism Hero Project Medical Insurance Grant Application program application period usually runs from September through October. If you have any application questions, please email applications@autismheroproject.org.

The HAP Foundation provides patient-centered hospice and palliative care education, research, workforce development and support. The foundation helps any family of a child or adult living with a serious illness understand palliative and hospice care options, and connect to and strengthen care throughout their journey. The HAP Foundation resources also include:

• Palliative and hospice care information for families and medical professionals
• Help for finding and accessing care
• Missing Pieces support group for anyone grieving the loss of a child
• The Pediatric Resource Guide for patients, families and practitioners
• Chicagoland resources and events

WeGo Together for Kids brings together 70 community partners from across the Chicagoland region to support West Chicago families with children from birth through high school (12th grade). Using a collaborative, coordinated and comprehensive approach, WeGo Together for Kids offers family events, tip sheets in multiple languages, food and nutrition resources, playgroups and more.

WeGo Together for Kids also provides:

• Behavior and parenting tip sheets for all ages
• Back-to-school social stories and other school readiness tools
• Help with potty training

Association House of Chicago provides services promoting health and wellness, education and economic opportunity. Programs are provided in English and Spanish using a collaborative model that meets participants’ immediate needs while working toward long-term goals.

The Association House of Chicago focuses provides services in five key areas:

• Behavioral Health
• Child Welfare
• Community Health
• High School
• Workforce Development

Perkins School for the Blind College Readiness Resource Center helps students and the many people involved in assisting them prepare for success. Students, families and education professionals can access helpful planning and assessment tools, checklists and resources for going to college, pre-college training programs or heading straight to work.

The College Readiness Resource Center includes:

• Resources for families to start planning early
• Information on the laws that affect the transition from high school to college
• How to get students ready for life after high school
• The College Readiness Checklist and Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) Toolkit

The Spanish Coalition for Housing (SCH) seeks to build generational wealth through housing counseling, financial education, advocacy and by connecting low-to-moderate income households to resources that create housing stability, homeownership and economic mobility. Services are based in Chicago and include workshops, homebuyer education, homeowner education and counseling, landlord certification and more. SCH programs also include:

• Financial education and coaching
• Rental and mortgage help
• Utility assistance
• Health and housing