Resource Directory /

Chicago Home Care Resources

  • Understood

    Understood is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with learning and thinking differences thrive in school, at work and throughout life. Understood raises awareness about dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and neurodiversity by sharing personal stories and providing resources for understanding behaviors, supporting learning, building everyday skills and exploring careers.

    Understood’s resources include:

    • Fact sheets on myths, ADHD, bullying and more
    • Toolkits
    • Communication strategies for all stages of life
    • Podcasts featuring personal stories and perspectives
  • “All About Me” Page Templates

    It’s important for everyone involved in your child’s care to understand their needs and what makes them unique. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has created “All About Me” Pages that you can personalize to help anyone on your care team and beyond get to know your child. These free templates highlight what works best for your child, what they like and dislike and who they are as a person.

    There are a variety of designs to choose from to help you capture your child’s personality. You can share them with doctors, nurses, schools, other caregivers and more. Templates are available in both English and Spanish.

  • National Resource Hub for Moving to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities

    The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities offers a wide range of tools to empower youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) ages 12 to 26 to direct their transition from pediatric to adult care. This national site is a one-stop shop where young people and their families, clinicians, and direct care providers can find videos and other resources for understanding and navigating the transition to adult health care.

    Site resources include:

    • An “Introduction to Health Care Transition (HCT)” for youth and young adults
    • Videos and interactive quizzes
    • Changes in insurance and legal rights
    • Quick guides and infographics
  • Challenged Athletes Foundation

    The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. CAF provides several grant programs, events and support to people with physical challenges who are pursuing active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF resources include:

    • Grants to help pay for sports prostheses, adaptive sports equipment, coaching and competition expenses
    • Adaptive sports videos
    • A list of adaptive sports organizations and collegiate programs
    • Information about adaptive sports equipment
  • How to Fill Out DSCC Forms in Spanish

    There are a number of forms that our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participants must fill out. We’ve created three instructional videos to help our Spanish-speaking families fill out some of our most commonly used forms. These videos provide step-by-step instructions:

  • Seizure Action Plan Examples and Resources

    A seizure is a medical emergency. A Seizure Action Plan (SAP) contains tailored guidelines on how to respond during a seizure, based on the patient’s medical history. It includes health and medical information specific to the patient and helps others recognize seizures and the appropriate steps to take to keep them safe from injury or damage caused by prolonged seizures.

    The Seizure Action Plan Coalition has several Seizure Action Plan examples and resources in English and Spanish to help you create your own plan. Resources are also available in other languages.

    Epilepsy Alliance America manages the Seizure Action Plan Coalition.

  • Illinois Transformative Justice Law Project

    The Illinois Transformative Justice Law Project (TJLP) provides free information, training resources and life and gender-affirming legal services to everyone on the gender spectrum regardless of financial status. TJLP also provides:

    • Workshops for organizations and groups wanting to learn more about allyship for trans and gender-expansive communities
    • Free in-person and virtual name change services
    • Name change guides
    • Educational resources
  • Illinois Financial Wellness Hub

    The Illinois Financial Wellness Hub (FinWell Hub) provides free resources to help all Illinois residents plan a better financial future. The site offers a wide variety of tools and courses to help you create a learning experience tailored to your needs.

    Topics include:

    • Saving for an emergency
    • Retirement planning
    • Planning for a child’s education
    • Managing debt
    • Buying a home
    • Estate planning
    • Social Security
    • Investing and more
  • Illinois Center for Transition and Work

    The Illinois Center for Transition and Work (ICTW) provides support to special educators, related services personnel and administrators by providing statewide training and technical assistance. ICTW strives to improve employment outcomes by focusing on preparing students with extensive support needs for the transition from high school to employment.

    The ICTW website offers information and webinars on a wide range of resources, including: