Chicago Home Care Resources
School Board Meeting Toolkit for People With Disabilities
School boards make many decisions that affect students. These decisions can significantly affect students with disabilities and special healthcare needs. The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities provides a School Board Meeting Toolkit with resources and tips to help families advocate with and to school boards.
Home Generator Information for MFTD Waiver Families
The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Medically Fragile Technology Dependent (MFTD) Children may pay for power generators for a waiver participant’s primary residence.
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) put together this tip sheet that covers what the waiver will cover, what families need to do and more.
Virtual Respite Provider Training Course
The Illinois Respite Coalition provides a free, online Respite Provider Training Program consisting of ten courses for individuals interested in providing respite care. The courses can be taken on your own time and will provide information to meet the Respite Care Professionals Core Competencies.
Following completion, participants will a certificate of completion and have the option of joining the statewide registry to be connected to respite opportunities.
Download the flyer for the Respite Provider Training Course.
Home Care Appeal and Peer-to-Peer Review Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is the operating agency for the Home Care Program. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) completes required reviews and determinations regarding a participant’s eligibility for Home Care services.
This tip sheet from DSCC explains how the review and determination of medical eligibility for Home Care services works. It also outlines how to file appeals for any decision made by HFS that denies, reduces, changes or terminates benefits for you or your child. (English or Spanish)
HIPP Program Tip Sheet and Application
The Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program pays health insurance premiums for some children who have high medical costs and who have private health insurance available.
This HIPP Program Tip Sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) explains the program’s availability and how to apply. (The HIPP Tip Sheet is also available in Spanish.)
You can also find copies of the HIPP Program application in English and HIPP Program application in Spanish.
Energy Reimbursement Tip Sheet for MFTD Waiver Families
Energy reimbursement is available through the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Children (commonly called the MFTD waiver).
Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participants who receive MFTD waiver services are eligible to receive credit toward their household’s energy bills for the use of medical equipment and air conditioning.
This tip sheet includes information on the requirements for energy bill credit and how to submit bills for credit. (English and Spanish)
Mental Health Resources for Kids, Teens and Young Adults
iTaalk Autism Foundation
iTaalk (Interactive Technology Assisting Autistic Little Kids) Autism Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides resources, training and assistive technology to help individuals with autism and other disabilities develop greater independence at all stages of life.
iTaalk’s App Facilitator Program provides grants to individuals of all ages and disabilities (not just autism) to help them access apps that are key to helping them communicate. Applicants must own the device for which they are requesting apps.
Youth, Adolescent and Young Adult Suicide Prevention
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has developed a “Youth, Adolescent and Young Adult Suicide Prevention” webpage to help family members and others prevent suicide by knowing:
- The facts about suicide
- Who is at risk
- Warning signs specific to youth, adolescents and young adults
- Protective factors
Mental Health Online Screening
One of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening at mhascreening.org. The screening is free and anonymous.
Taking a screen can help you to better understand what you are experiencing and get helpful resources. After that, consider talking to someone you trust about your results and seek out a professional to find the support you need.