The National Organization for Rare Disorders’ (NORD) Respite Program is for caregivers (parents, spouses, family members, or significant others) of a child or adult diagnosed with a rare disorder. The program provides financial assistance to allow caregivers a break to attend a conference, an event, or have an afternoon or evening away from caregiving.

The Respite Program awards are granted to eligible individuals on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no fee to apply.

For more information about this program, contact NORD at (203) 616-4328 or email CaregiverRespite@rarediseases.org.

Equip for Equality provides this guide to help understand the purpose of an individualized education program (IEP), how to read one, rules to know, special education rights, Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements and more.

Entry Point’s purpose is to ensure all people experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk of homelessness have fair and equal access to housing in suburban Cook County.

Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk of homelessness can access Entry Point throughout the region. Trained Entry Point staff at access locations work with households to understand their strengths and needs using a standardized assessment. Entry Point uses HUD homeless assistance eligibility guidelines and uniform prioritization policies to refer people to the right programs based on their preferences and levels of need.

Entry Point also helps suburban Cook County make the best matches between homeless assistance resources and the people who need them most.

If you need financial assistance with mortgage, rent payments, rent deposits, utility payments or other housing issues, please call the Homeless Prevention Call Center at 1-877-4-Cook-15 (1-877-426-6515).

Listen carefully to the prompts to choose which kind of help you need.

Housing Forward’s mission is to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. It offers a full range of programs and services that include emergency assistance, prevention and stabilization services; employment readiness; supportive housing; and homelessness prevention.

Housing Forward serves the following 21 communities in west Cook County: Bellwood, Berkeley, Berwyn, Broadview, Chicago (Austin), Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Forest View, Franklin Park, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Oak Park, River Forest, River Grove, Schiller Park, Stickney, Stone Park and Westchester.

In addition, Housing Foward serves clients who choose to live in Brookfield, Lyons, North Riverside, Riverside and LaGrange through its supportive housing programs.

Pacer Center provides this handout of tips to help young adults with special healthcare needs plan for housing and independent living as they transition to adulthood.

Going to college is an exciting time filled with new friends and experiences. When you have congenital heart disease (CHD), it can be overwhelming or tempting to put your care on the back burner. It’s very important that you stay in care and are as prepared as possible.

The Adult Congenital Heart Association provides this resource with tips to help you maintain good health while you further your education.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free consulting services for all employees, regardless of the condition. Services include one-on-one consultation about all aspects of job accommodations, including the accommodation process, accommodation ideas, product vendors, referral to other resources and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance assistance.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are conditions that are present at birth and can affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides fact sheets, articles, patient stories and more to help you understand CHDs and their affect across the lifespan.

The American Heart Association provides information and resources on congenital heart defects (CHDs).

Information is available in English and Spanish.