Take N.O.T.E. is an initiative developed by Understood in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics. It aims to help parents identify the signs of learning or thinking differences in their children.

HealthyChildren.org provides information on the early signs of learning disabilities and difficulties in children and how to help them succeed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides information on how families of children with special healthcare needs can prepare for potential emergencies and disasters in their area and identify what each child would need to safely prepare for and cope with the disaster.

AAP provides emergency preparedness information and resources, including:

• Tips for helping children cope and adjust after a disaster
• Links to organizations like the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital offering booklets, checklists and other resources you can print or download
• Videos on preparing for an emergency or potential disaster

The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) manages the statewide Adult Protective Services Program, which serves adults 60 years of age and older and adults aged 18-59 with disabilities. The program handles reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

For more information on the signs and types of abuse and how to make a report, visit www2.illinois.gov/aging/Engage/Pages/default.aspx. You can also call the statewide 24-hour Abuse Hotline at (866) 800-1409.

The Neighbor Project (TNP) is a nonprofit, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to helping low to moderate-income families in Aurora reduce debt, build credit, save and ultimately buy their first homes.

Child & Family Connections (CFC) is the starting point for the referral of children under 36 months of age to the Part C Early Intervention Service System in McHenry County. Early Intervention services are designed to meet an infant’s or toddler’s needs if they are experiencing issues related to five specific areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional and adaptive.

For more information, click on the brochure in English or Spanish.

For students who do not live in permanent housing, attending school and staying on track for their grade can present challenges on many levels and across different areas.

Chicago Public Schools and networks provide assistance in removing these barriers to qualified Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS), including providing transportation, school uniforms, school supplies, fee waivers and referrals to community resources.

To find out if your student and family are eligible for STLS services, contact the STLS Liaison at your school. Every CPS school, including charter schools and options schools, has an STLS Liaison. For other questions about the STLS Program, please call (773) 553-2242 or email STLSInformation@cps.edu.

Mental Health America’s Back-to-School Toolkit provides educational information and tips on tackling some of the most common online stressors for youth. Titled “Selfies, Social & Screens: Navigating Virtual Spaced for Youth,” the toolkit includes fact sheets for youth and adults, and a guide to national and local resources.

The official site of the Hearing Improvement Kids Endowment Fund, Inc. (HIKE). The purpose of the fund is to provide hearing devices for children with hearing losses between the ages of newborn and 20 years whose parents are unable to meet this special need financially.

Children are eligible to receive a grant providing the need is verified by a prescription from an audiologist or physician.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides resources for parents and caregivers, educators, young adults and learning disability champions.