Champaign Resources
People First: A Guide to Interacting With People With Disabilities
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS/DRS) is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities in becoming full participants in our society.
With “People First: A Guide to Interacting with People With Disabilities,” IDHS/DRS provides general etiquette tips and information on people-first language to foster respect and inclusion for people with disabilities.
How SSI and SSDI Can Help Patients
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.
PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics as well as understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Many of PAF’s resources are also available in Spanish.
PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.
Navigating Health Insurance and the Health Care System
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.
PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics including:
- Finding and Selecting Insurance
- Making the Most of Your Health Insurance
- Engaging with Insurers: Appealing a Denial
- Patient Advocate Foundation Drug Formulary FAQ
Watch their short tutorial “Welcome to the Education Resource Library” to learn how to find and share materials. Many of the materials are available in English and Spanish.
PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.
Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Dose and Booster Shot FAQ
The Illinois Department of Public Health provides this list of frequently asked questions about additional doses and booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Information includes the difference between an additional dose and a booster shot, who should get a booster shot, who should get an additional dose of vaccine and more.
COVID-19 Vaccination for Young People FAQs
The Illinois Department of Public Health put together a list of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination for children and teenagers.
Information includes vaccine safety, the latest approval information, possible side effects and more.
Getting the Care You Need: A Guide for People With Disabilities
“Getting the Care You Need: A Guide for People with Disabilities” aims to empower patients with disabilities by explaining their rights to accessible care.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides this resource. It is available in multiple languages, including:
Resources to Understand and Maximize Your Health Coverage
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has developed the Coverage to Care (C2C) initiative. C2C provides information to help you understand your health coverage and connect to primary care and the preventive services that are right for you.
Resources are provided in multiple languages and on topics including:
- Five steps for making the most of your health coverage
- Telehealth services
- A step-by-step roadmap to health
- A companion roadmap to behavioral health
- Videos on maximizing your health coverage
How to Support a Child with Epilepsy: Information for Parents
“How to Support a Child with Epilepsy: Information for Parents” from HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parenting website, provides tips for encouraging and supporting a child with epilepsy from infancy to adulthood. Topics include:
- Recognizing and treating seizures as early as possible
- Talking to your child’s doctor
- Discussing epilepsy openly and honestly with your child and others
- Finding childcare
- Teens with epilepsy
- Transitioning to adulthood
Additional resources for explaining epilepsy to others, building a care notebook, asking your medical team questions and what to do if your child has a seizure are also available.
COVID-19 Vaccine Preparation Checklist for Kids
The COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended for children ages 6 months old and up. To help you prepare for your child’s vaccination, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides information about the vaccine and a step-by-step checklist of questions or other health-related topics you may want to discuss with your child’s pediatrician or primary care doctor when scheduling your vaccine appointment.
New to Seizures and Epilepsy Toolkit
Hearing about epilepsy and seizures for the first time can be frightening and confusing. The Epilepsy Foundation’s “New to Seizures and Epilepsy Toolkit” provides a starting point for individuals, parents and caregivers to learn about:
- What epilepsy is
- Available resources
- How to make the most of doctors’ visits
- How to take control of seizures
Individual fact sheets on topics including seizure first aid and developing your own seizure response plan are also available. All materials are available in English and Spanish.