It’s important for everyone involved in your child’s care to understand their needs and what makes them unique. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has created “All About Me” Pages that you can personalize to help anyone on your care team and beyond get to know your child. These free templates highlight what works best for your child, what they like and dislike and who they are as a person.

There are a variety of designs to choose from to help you capture your child’s personality. You can share them with doctors, nurses, schools, other caregivers and more. Templates are available in both English and Spanish.

The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities offers a wide range of tools to empower youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) ages 12 to 26 to direct their transition from pediatric to adult care. This national site is a one-stop shop where young people and their families, clinicians, and direct care providers can find videos and other resources for understanding and navigating the transition to adult health care.

Site resources include:

• An “Introduction to Health Care Transition (HCT)” for youth and young adults
• Videos and interactive quizzes
• Changes in insurance and legal rights
• Quick guides and infographics

BJC Hospice hosts Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp each year for children and teens who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. The weekend-long, overnight camp provides a safe place for campers ages 6 to 15 to explore their grief and emotions.

The camp usually takes place in August and is free for all children who have lost loved ones, not just families served by BJC Hospice (service areas include Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, Calhoun, Marion, Greene and portions of Pike and Perry counties).

The Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living (IVCIL) serves individuals with disabilities and their families living in LaSalle, Marshall, Bureau, Putnam, and Stark counties. Located in Spring Valley, IVCIL provides services and advocates for the rights of people with disabilities to choose what is best for themselves and their families.

IVCIL also provides community grants. Individuals and agencies can apply year-round. Other IVCIL programs and services include:

• Independent living and community services
• Youth and transition services
• Peer counseling
• Personal assistant program
• Site accessibility assessments

The Bottom Line Diaper Bank is a collaborative effort of the United Way of Champaign County and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department.  Together they provide diapers to local programs to distribute to families and caregivers in need. Visit the diaper bank’s website for more details on how to receive help.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) provides law enforcement and caregivers with guidance on preparing for and responding to incidents involving missing children with autism. Information includes:

• Tips for caregivers
• A guide for first responders
• Search protocols

Different Dynamics is a non-profit organization providing music programming for people of all ages, neurotypes and abilities who have a love of music.

Different Dynamics activities and programming include:

• The Music Exploratorium music studio space
• The Music Workshop featuring music and movement activities for the entire family
• Sensory-friendly performances

Camp Big Sky provides accessible cabins and recreational opportunities for children and adults with developmental, physical, cognitive, sensory, and age-related disabilities. Located in northern Fulton County, Camp Big Sky offers three distinct and totally accessible activity areas with two lakes and a campground.

Daytime activities are free for people of all ages with a disability and their families, friends and caregivers. Overnight camping in cabins and tents is available for a nominal fee. Groups of campers are also welcome. Reservations are required for all visits.

See the Camp Big Sky fact sheet for more details.

The Lake County Housing Authority (LCHA) provides a variety of programs to help individuals, families and senior citizens afford decent, safe housing and achieve economic independence.

Please contact LCHA at (847) 223-1170 for more information about coverage area and program availability.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. CAF provides several grant programs, events and support to people with physical challenges who are pursuing active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF resources include:

• Grants to help pay for sports prostheses, adaptive sports equipment, coaching and competition expenses
• Adaptive sports videos
• A list of adaptive sports organizations and collegiate programs
• Information about adaptive sports equipment