Resource Directory /

Chicago Home Care Resources

  • DSCC’s Know Your Rights: Minors’ Consent and Access to Healthcare Services

    This guide from the Division of Specialized Care for Children aims to help youth understand their rights as a minor related to privacy and obtaining healthcare services. It covers:

    • Which services they can receive without parental consent.
    • When a parent can access their health information.
    • When a provider needs their consent before sharing their health information.

    Know Your Rights: Minors’ Consent and Access to Healthcare Services in English

    Know Your Rights: Minors’ Consent and Access to Healthcare Services in Spanish.

  • Available Benefits Under the American Rescue Plan Act

    The Illinois Department of Human Services in collaboration with the Illinois Commission on Poverty and Economic Security has put together a summary document listing new benefits that are now available to individuals and families through the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan Act.

    The types of benefits include stimulus checks, earned income tax credits, child tax credit, unemployment insurance, rental or mortgage assistance and food, cash, childcare and/or medical support.

  • Donated Orthodontic Services

    Since 2009, American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) members have volunteered to provide high-quality orthodontic care for children of families with financial need.

    Visit the AAO website for information on eligibility and how to apply.

  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline

    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

    (800) 662-HELP (4357)

    TTY: (800) 487-4889

  • Crisis Text Line

    The Crisis Text Line serves anyone in any type of crisis, 24-hours a day. Trained crisis counselors will respond and help you:

    • English, text HOME to 741741
    • Spanish, text HOLA to 741741 or text to 442-AYUDAME in WhatsApp

    If you are a caregiver, the Crisis Text Line and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) have teamed up to provide free, 24/7 support to help you navigate the stresses and demands of providing care. Caregivers needing mental health support can text TOUGH to 741741.

  • Dealing With Traumatic Events

    The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health provides frequently-asked questions, tips and resources for how to handle traumatic events.

    Information includes possible symptoms after experiencing a traumatic event and when to seek help from a trained professional.

  • Get Out the Vaccine

    Get Out the Vaccine is a website from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities that provides information to help people with disabilities and their families make informed decisions about being vaccinated for COVID-19.

  • A Family Toolkit: Pediatric-to-Adult Health Care Transition

    Got Transition and its National Family Health Care Transition Advisory Group have developed a new toolkit for families to use to guide their youth’s transition from pediatric to adult health care.

    The Family Toolkit includes easy-to-use resources for youth and families to help youth assume more independence in taking care of their own health and using health services. Materials include a transition timeline, questions to ask your doctor, what turning 18 means for one’s health and more.

  • Bright by Text

    Bright by Text is a free text messaging service that delivers high-quality information to families to help them foster a child’s healthy growth, based on their exact age and developmental stage.

    Available in English and Spanish, the service covers children from prenatal through age 8.  Topics covered include brain development, speech and language skills, social-emotional development, reading and writing skills, nutrition, mental health, school readiness, and more.

    All information is provided by trusted content partners, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sesame Street, PBS Kids for Parents, and Zero to Three.

    Families can sign up by texting BRIGHT to 274448, or by using the form on the Bright by Text website. Text messages are customized by the child’s due date or age and zip code.