Resource Directory /

Chicago Home Care Resources

  • COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Families

    The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides a wide range of COVID-19 vaccination and other immunization resources for families. The information is provided in an easy-to-understand format and is available in English and Spanish.

    Topics include:

    • COVID-19 treatment for children not in the hospital and at risk for severe illness
    • Mental Health During COVID-19: Signs Your Child May Need More Support
    • Tips and tricks for before, during and after your immunization visit

  • Be Ready: Emergency Preparedness Tips for Families of Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs

    The “Be Ready: Tips for Families of Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN)” toolkit provides videos and infographics in American Sign Language (ASL) and a variety of languages to help families prepare for power outages, floods or other natural disasters that may occur.

    The toolkit is available through the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation & Improvement Center (EIIC).

    Click here for the ASL version.

     

  • Brades’ Place

    Traveling with a child with medical complexity can be challenging. Brades’ Place provides tips, tools and templates to help parents with children with specialized healthcare needs plan and create memorable family travel experiences.

    The site also provides diagnosis resources for certain conditions.

  • Project Fire Buddies

    Project Fire Buddies is a nonprofit group of Chicago-area firefighters and first responders who find ways to support and spread joy to children with serious illnesses and their families.
     
    The project volunteers organize toy drives, bring Haloween candy to children who are too sick to trick-or-treat and invite kids to local firehouses. Volunteers also visit with their fire buddies at home to play games, read books, bring gifts for special occasions and more.
     
    Project Fire Buddies started with the Oak Forest Fire Department but has grown to include more than 20 departments.

  • Baby Formula Shortage Tips and Information – Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)

    The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has trained caseworkers to help families with formula questions. You can contact the IDHS Help Line at (800) 843-6154. The Help Line is primarily for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants but is open to all Illinois residents.

    For Illinois WIC participants, a waiver now allows for flexibility in the size and type of formula available to buy with WIC benefits. More details are on IDHS’ “Having Trouble Finding Formula” page. Illinois WIC programs also provide a wide range of support for breastfeeding mothers and funds for healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. More information and updates can be found on the Illinois WIC website. Families can also call (217) 782-2166 for additional support.