​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Children with a cleft lip, cleft palate or craniofacial disorder often have complex needs and may undergo a variety of procedures and therapies. Often, these children need multiple pediatric specialists and surgeons to provide comprehensive care

HealthyChildren.org, the parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides cleft and craniofacial resources and articles for parents and caregivers to help answer their questions.

UIC The Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays (RCADD) provides support for those who care for, teach and serve children with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays. RCADD serves families currently enrolled in an Early Head Start or Head Start program as well as others throughout the Chicagoland area.

Anyone can also visit RCADD’s website for:

• Free autism trainings/webinars in English and Spanish
• Printable visuals
• Activity ideas

For questions, please contact RCADD at (312) 413-4441 or rcadd@uic.edu.

The Autism Resource Directory is an online resource guide to help families find service and support referrals in the following counties: Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee.

For more information or if you have any questions about navigating the directory or finding a referral, please call (312) 563-2272.

The Illinois Department of Human Rights and Access Living provide a “Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications: A Guide for Housing Professionals.”

In accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, this book provides guidance and clarification on the accommodations and modifications that must be made in housing for persons with disabilities and their family members.

Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) offers free legal services to people living in poverty, with disabilities, aged 60 and older across 36 counties in Northern and Central Illinois. PSLS provides legal help to protect survivors of domestic violence and help people facing issues impacting financial stability and serious housing issues.

See the PSLS General Services brochure for more details:

• Brochure in English
• Brochure in Spanish

PSLS has 11 offices that serve 36 counties in northern Illinois. The resources page also provides references to self-help information. Visit PSLS’ website for more information, office hours and locations.

Options & Advocacy for McHenry County is a service coordination agency that provides information and referrals, screening, evaluation and assessment, service plans, community education and more for children and families in McHenry County. Its programs include:

• Child and Family Connections Program, an Early Intervention program
• Autism Resource Center
• Helping Us Grow (HUG), a home visiting program
• Early Childhood Network of McHenry County
• Play and support groups
• Stefanie Sullivan Joyful Arts program for teens and young adults with developmental and other challenges
• Neuro Inclusive Counseling

For more information, contact Options & Advocacy of McHenry County at (815) 477-4720, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

You can also use the Options & Advocacy of McHenry County’s online form to submit questions and referrals.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. The website includes:

• A search tool for finding local resources and organizations that support people living with paralysis
• A paralysis resource guide
• Comprehensive resources and support for people living with paralysis and their caregivers
• Information on the inclusive “Outdoors for Everyone” initiative

You can contact the Reeve Foundation at (800) 225-0292

The Illinois Mental Health Collaborative is a partnership devoted to the recovery and resilience of children and adults with mental illness. The collaborative is committed to making it easier for people in need of mental health services to get the right care, at the right time and in the right amount.

Mental Health America of Illinois is a statewide organization that works to promote mental health, prevent mental disease and improve the care and treatment of those suffering from mental and emotional disorders. For more information go to www.mhai.org/.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

The national NAMI website provides information on supports, services and treatment options that may help. The NAMI National Helpline is (800) 950-NAMI (6264). You can also text “HELPLINE” to 62640 or go to NAMI.org/help to chat with a HelpLine specialist.

Visit the NAMI Illinois website for information about Illinois programs and services.