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’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 (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.

Safe Families for Children hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family-like supports for desperate families through a community of devoted volunteers who are motivated by compassion to keep children safe and families intact.

There are several locations in Illinois.

If you or one of your family members has mental health and/or substance use challenges and would like to receive support by phone, call the Illinois Warm Line at (866) 359-7953.

Wellness support specialists are professionals who have experienced mental health and/or substance use recovery in their own lives. They are trained in recovery support, mentoring and advocacy.

The Illinois Warm Line is not a crisis hotline, but is a source of support as you recover or help a family member to recover. Illinois Warm Line hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) also provides a list of state and national helplines offering someone to talk to or help during a crisis.

If you, your child, or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or you have concerns for their immediate safety, or that they may require inpatient psychiatric treatment, you can contact the CARES Hotline at (800) 345-9049.

The CARES Hotline is available 24/7, 365 days a year, to both Medicaid and non-Medicaid customers.

Call: (800) 345-9049

More details are available on the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ Crisis Services page.

Community Action Agencies work with local community organizations and non-profit partners to provide assistance to Illinois families with items including:

• Rental Assistance
• Food
• Energy Utility Bill Assistance
• Water/Sewer Payment
• Employment Training/Placement
• Financial Management
• Temporary Shelter

This link provides a local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) search tool that can help you find programs in your area.

Illinois has many designated Continuum of Care agencies in local communities that can help people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness find affordable housing.

The National Center for Homeless Education at SERVE (Supporting the Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness) provides this information for families experiencing homelessness who have children with special needs.

This brief discusses common concerns and offers resources for additional assistance.

The Homeless Prevention Program in Illinois provides rental/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, approved case management and approved supportive services directly related to the prevention of homelessness to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness or are currently homeless. The program is designed to stabilize individuals and families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that individuals and families stay in shelters and assist individuals and families with securing affordable housing.

Contact a Homeless Prevention Provider from the list to receive services.