“Should I Use a Special Needs Trust or an ABLE Account?”
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning has created this free resource to help you decide whether a special needs trust or ABLE account is right for you.
Financial Plan Resources
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning provides these free resources and steps to successfully make a financial plan.
Claire’s Place Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis Support
Claire’s Place Foundation is a non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF).
Its programs are focused on creating a better quality of life for people and their caregivers as well as emergency funding assistance during long hospital stays. Its programs include an Extended Hospital Stay Grant Program and the Support Families and Resources Program.
Developmental Disabilities Employment
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) seeks to maximize opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to work in competitive integrated employment.
The division’s Developmental Disabilities Employment Resources list provides the latest information on the division’s efforts toward employment for people with developmental disabilities. It includes a list of DDD-supported employment providers that also provide employment services funded by the Division of Rehabilitation Services. The list aims to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities understand the options available to them when searching for an employment supports provider.
American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program
The American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program (PAP) is a privately funded financial assistance program that helps living donors cover lost wages during their recovery from surgery and helps transplant recipients maintain health insurance coverage and access to immunosuppressant medications. This program is available nationwide and is focused on the most financially vulnerable patients and their families.
Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation
The Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation provides opportunities and resources to critically and chronically ill children and their families.
The program includes The Tiana Fund, which provides assistance to economically at-risk persons or families in need that will strengthen their ability to care for themselves, enhance their stability and security, and improve their quality of life or their ability to contribute to the community. Applications are only available at Chicago-area hospitals or pre-approved community organizations.
If you have any questions, please fill out the Contact Us form on the Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation website.
Center for Prevention of Abuse
Center for Prevention of Abuse‘s mission is to help all people live free from violence and abuse.
The center provides services for domestic violence, sexual abuse/assault, human trafficking, adult protective services and prevention education. Its crisis hotline is available 24/7 at (800) 559-SAFE (7233).
Family Justice Center in Peoria
The Peoria County Family Justice Center is a multi-disciplinary response team designed to provide services and support to victims of domestic violence, while simultaneously holding offender’s accountable.
Variety – The Children’s Charity of St. Louis
Variety’s St. Louis location serves children and teens with special needs under the age of 21 and their families living in 30 counties in Missouri and Illinois surrounding St. Louis.
The charity aims to help children with disabilities fulfill their potential by providing access to vital medical equipment, therapy and innovative programs. The Illinois counties in Variety’s service area are: Bond, Calhoun, Clay, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington.
Opportunities include:
- Variety family social groups
- Venturing Crew inclusive program for youth ages 14-20
- Adventure Camp
- Performing arts
For questions, please visit the Variety St. Louis website or call (314) 720-7700.
Connections for Abused Women and their Children
Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC) is a Chicago-based nonprofit committed to ending domestic violence. Using a self-help, empowerment approach, CAWC provides a shelter for adults and children, counseling, advocacy, and a 24-hour hotline for people affected by domestic violence. Contact the hotline at (773) 278-4566 for immediate help.

