Illinois STAR NET Northwest Region I and Central Region III provide regional training and resources to early childhood community professionals and families of young children with disabilities from birth through age 8. Support includes workshops, webinars (live and on-demand), technical assistance and resource specialists, a lending library and more.

Visit STAR NET Northwest Region I and Central Region III’s website to learn more and register for webinars, training and events near you.

See the STAR NET Statewide Map to learn more about each regional service area.

For questions about STAR NET Northwest Region I and Central Region III, email starnet@wiu.edu or call (309) 298-1634.

Illinois STAR NET is operated through a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education, which receives annual federal funding.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare and their families/caregivers build important problem-solving and decision-making skills. This tip sheet includes suggestions, steps and resources for developing the skills you need to be more independent and responsible as an adult.

Solving Problems and Making Your Own Decisions tip sheet in English

Solving Problems and Making Your Own Decisions tip sheet in Spanish

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation’s (UHCCF) mission is to help fill the gap between what medical services/items/equipment a child needs and what their commercial health benefit plan will pay for.

UHCCF grants provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.

To be eligible for grants, children must be 16 years of age or younger at the time of application and have a Social Security number. Eligible families must also meet UHCCF’s economic guidelines.

Families could receive up to $5,000 annually and $10,000 a lifetime per child for eligible medical services, treatment therapies, items and equipment.

For questions, visit the Contact UHCCF website page, email uhccfcustomerservice@uhc.com, or call 1 (855) 698-4223.

Wrightslaw provides resources, an A to Z Topic Library and information for parents, educators, advocates and attorneys on special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

Find out what dental services are covered by Illinois Medicaid and where you can get them.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) conducts and supports research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. The website offers health information and resources that address these areas.

Mascoutah Emergency Medical Services (EMS), area police departments and St. Clair County coordinate the Special Needs Registry public safety program. Information in the Special Needs Registry will help first responders locate, understand, prepare for, and prioritize their response during evacuations, disasters, or other emergency situations for people with disabilities and other challenges.

View and print the Special Needs Registry Form from the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency. Registry forms are also available at the EMS department, Three West Main St., in Mascoutah.

For questions, please contact Mascoutah EMS at (618) 566-2976, ext. 109.

New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT) in Sherrard offers therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children ages 4 and up and adults with autism, mental illness, disabilities and other challenges. The lessons help promote mental focus, fine and gross motor skills, coordination, social skills and self-confidence. NKT serves residents in the greater Quad City area and surrounding communities. A limited number of scholarships are offered per riding session to individuals with proven financial need.

For questions, please contact NKT at (309) 764-4220 or info@nktriders.org.

Bethany for Children & Families brings dental care directly to schools through the Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) mobile dental program. This program helps children in need receive free preventive dental services, including cleanings, exams, fluoride, sealants (when needed), education packets, referrals for fillings, extractions, or root canals, and more. Services are available to children ages 1 to 18 who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and who have never been to a dentist or have not been to one in the past 6 months.

Bethany provides more than 30 programs and services in Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Whiteside, Knox, Warren, Lee, Carroll, and Henderson counties in Illinois, as well as in several counties in Iowa.

United Way supports 211 a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

A toll-free call to 211 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services that can improve and lives. You can find information about supplemental food and nutrition programs, shelter and housing options, utility assistance, disaster relief, employment and education opportunities, and more.