Bounce Children’s Foundation is a Chicago area non-profit that aims to transform the lives of chronically ill children, and their families, shifting all from surviving to thriving. The foundation serves children from birth to 18 years of age.

Bounce’s  free programs aim to build the resilience needed to cope with the ongoing, unexpected setbacks that define chronic illness. Programs include family adventures, education to strengthen vital coping skills, donated tickets to high demand events, themed care packages for household families, access to resources, peer support and more.

A free online social community of survivors and family caregivers who share information and inspiration. Support Network members trade tips, compare notes and shore each other up when the going gets rough. Members also have access to healthcare professionals who can answer their questions. Plus, specialized resources from the American Heart Association.

Fresh Start Surgical Gifts provides reconstructive surgery at no cost to families of children who are uninsured, underinsured, denied procedures as cosmetic or the deductible would be a financial hardship to the family. Surgery weekends are held three times a year at Comer Children’s Hospital.

The JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) has shared this one-page information sheet that lists available resources for those living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

When you become an adult, your experience at the doctor’s office and the hospital might be different from what you are used to. This fact sheet explains some of the changes you might notice.

Pediatric Versus Adult Healthcare tip sheet in English

Pediatric Versus Adult Healthcare tip sheet in Spanish

The Special Recreation Associations Network of Illinois (SRANI) is a network of therapeutic recreation agencies. Special Recreation Associations provide community-based special recreation services to children and adults with disabilities. You can see a list of special recreation cooperatives available in Illinois.

For more information, visit the SRANI website.

Premier Kids is a medical home program for children birth to age 6 with special needs. It provides primary care services for children with medically complex conditions and/or developmental delays. To make an appointment, call (733) 256-5700, ext. 2.

 

Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD) offers clean, comfortable and cost-effective public transportation in Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Lawrence, Pope, Richland, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson counties. RMTD provides door-to-door and fixed-route service to anyone needing transportation. RMTD also provides ADA paratransit services for people with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route bus services where available.

RMTD’s ADA paratransit service is by reservation only. For more details or to make a reservation:

• See the RMTD flyer
• Call the RMTD Operation Center at (844) 220-1243

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) provides Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable.

ISAC offers free comprehensive, objective, and timely information on education and financial aid for students and their families. Help includes:

• The ISAC Student Portal with free online tools, events and resources for students, as well as short videos about college planning and financial aid.
• State scholarship and grant programs
• ISAC College Q&A, a free texting service that allows any student to submit their financial aid and college planning questions and receive a response from ISAC staff.

ISAC also offers assistance through the agency’s call center at (800) 899-4722 (ISAC).