Resource Directory for Illinois Families With Young Children Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity

This resource directory from the Illinois Early Learning Project provides contact information, descriptions of programs, state agencies, and non-profit organizations in Illinois that provide support for families of young children experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

The directory includes food resources, housing resources, clothing and diaper resources and more.

Coloring Pages for Caregivers

UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children has created adult coloring pages to help caregivers relieve stress and practice mindfulness. Four designs are available in English and Spanish:

Lighthouse (Lighthouse Spanish)

Sunflowers (Sunflowers Spanish)

Hot air balloons (Hot air balloons Spanish)

Gears and clock (Gears and clock Spanish)

Apps for Caregivers

Easterseals compiled this list of apps to help manage some of the daily tasks of caregiving.

Easterseals Respite Services for People With Disabilities

Easterseals offers respite services that allow both caregivers and the people for whom they’re caring the opportunity to relax, recharge, and reconnect. Their respite services are offered nationwide and designed to give caregivers a much-needed break from the stress of caregiving.

Respite programs include activities like support groups and retreats for caregivers, and sleepaway camps and overnight stays for the person receiving care. Visit the respite services section of the Easterseals website to find out more.

National Respite Locator

ARCH National Respite Network and Research Center provides a National Respite Locator on its website as well as additional resources for finding respite in your community.

National Caregivers Library

The National Caregivers Library provides hundreds of articles, forms, checklists and links to topic-specific external resources for caregivers.

Family Caregiver Mental Health And COVID-19

It’s important for caregivers to take care of their own mental health. Supporting caregivers with information and resources can help them maintain their mental health and better support their loved ones.

Mental Health America provides these tips to help caregivers take care of their own physical and mental health.

Caregiver Action Network

Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is a national nonprofit organization that aims to improve the quality of life for Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease or the frailties old age.

CAN provides a Family Caregiver Toolbox on a variety of topics.

CAN also has a “Caring for Rare Disease Caregivers” website that includes helpful information, tips, and resources, including communicating effectively with healthcare professionals, looking for respite care, handling complex emotions and more.

Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago

The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago is a not-for-profit organization serving 44 counties in Illinois. It offers education, advocacy and case management to people living with epilepsy, their families and the communities in which they live.

The foundation’s client services include case management, programs for children and adults, epilepsy centers, support groups, employment, medications, and driving and transportation.

Special Needs Chicago Transportation Services

Special Needs Chicago provides individuals with physical and/or cognitive challenges throughout Chicago and the suburbs with wheelchair-accessible transportation.