The Arc of Illinois advocates for and empowers people with disabilities and their families to reach their goals and fully participate in community life. The Arc of Illinois provides information, resources, family support, and training to help make Illinois a place where people with disabilities can learn, play, work, and live in communities across the state.

The Arc of Illinois services and programs include:

• The Illinois Life Span program
• Children’s services and caregiver support
• Monthly webinars
• Assistive technology resources
• The Arc of Illinois fact sheets and more

Provides resources and support for children 0-3 with developmental disabilities in Grundy, Kankakee, and Will Counties.

2300 Glenwood Avenue
Joliet, IL 60436

(888) 329-0633

Promotes voluntary compliance of the Americans with Disabilities Act utilizing local resources to provide trainings, technical assistance, and engage in capacity building around the state.

Helps you understand and apply for services from Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services.

DSCC’s Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Youth provides a checklist for youth to use to identify what they know about their health, self-care skills and abilities they have met, and areas where they may need additional focus as they prepare for the transition to adulthood. The skills list also includes medication and treatment management and managing insurance benefits. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.

Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Youth in English

Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Youth in Spanish

Love and Logic provides tools and techniques to help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children. While some materials can be purchased, this links to the free articles and handouts for parents.

The Shannon Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping to pay for medical care for children whose families can’t afford it

Working through social workers at various hospitals across the country to identify kids in need, the foundation has paid for medicine, medical tests and procedures, equipment (such as wheelchairs, ventilators, etc.), hospital visits, surgery, medical co-pays, chemotherapy and physical therapy.

For more information, email shannonfoundation@fishersuhr.com or call (303) 436-1224.

As a part of the UIC Department of Disability and Human Development, this clinic provides comprehensive assessment and treatment services for children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities.

Variety of Illinois’ mission is to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities by providing the equipment and experiences needed to reach their highest potential.

Its programs include Variety at Play, which offers inclusive, accessible activities for the whole family; Kids on the Go that provides mobility equipment not covered by insurance for children with disabilities; and Live to Achieve that encourages participation and excellence in adaptive sports.

The Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, Title V of the Social Security Act, is a federal program that aims to improve the health of all women, children and families. Each state has a Title V program that serves children with special health care needs.

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration provides this list of state Title V program contact information.