Chicago Home Care Resources
The Humanitarian Foundation Grottoes International program helps cover the costs of dental treatment, including hospital and anesthesia costs, for children with Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Organ Transplants or Muscular Dystrophy and related neuromuscular disorders.
The Catalyst Center works with a broad range of partners to improve health care insurance coverage and address complex health care financing for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN).
The PKU Organization of Illinois provides resources and support to teens, adults and families with PKU and 16 allied disorders.
Their website includes information about understanding and managing phenylketonuria (PKU), diet, local resources, events, what to expect at different life stages and a PKU binder toolkit.
The National Phenylketonuria (PKU) Alliance (NPKUA) provides help with understanding and managing PKU from diagnosis to adulthood. NPKUA resources include a New Parent Support Kit, a Kindergarten Kit for children entering kindergarten, a downloadable PKU Binder Toolkit, guides for educators and information on the latest treatments, insurance coverage and terms, a mentor program, cooking and food, research grants and more.
NPKUA hosts “Community Call.” These monthly peer support groups offer a place for sharing and connecting with others who understand the unique challenges of living with PKU. Please see the events calendar on NPKUA’s website for meeting times and other details for each of the following groups:
- Caregivers of children ages 0 to 3
- Caregivers of children ages 3 to 12
- Caregivers of teens ages 13 to 17
- Adults with PKU ages 18+
- Adults with PKU ages 40+
LifeLine Pilots is a non-profit group providing free air transportation to patients seeking a second opinion or in need of treatment at a clinic far from home for non-emergency medical needs.
The organization serves individuals who may not be able to travel long distances any other way or have financial or health-related needs. Volunteer pilots fly passengers in need within a 10 state region. Lifeline Pilots also works with other volunteer pilot organizations to arrange flights beyond their service area.
If you have questions or need to determine if you qualify for services, call 800-822-7972 or fill out the mission request form.
Illinois Assistive Technology Program
The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) provides expertise in assistive technology and accessible information technology to all Illinois residents of all ages with disabilities and/or health conditions including family members, friends and caregivers.
IATP provides assistive technology demonstrations and allows people to see, try and borrow devices before making a purchasing decision. IATP also allows people to donate or obtain gently used assistive technology devices.
IATP also offers classes and help in finding the right AT devices for your needs:
- Tech Kitchen offers cooking classes in a home-style kitchen showcasing accessibility and adapted tools. Classes are for individuals 14 and up with any disability.
- Smart Home Technology features a five-room interactive Smart Home display highlighting home automation. Experts in assistive technology can discuss your needs and help you compare different AT devices. This program focuses on serving individuals receiving services from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS-DRS).
- IATP Makers provides custom AT devices and open-source 3D printer files for Illinois residents.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) offers information about allergies and asthma, including a drug guide, a glossary of terms, videos, and more. AAAAI also provides a tool to help locate an allergist/immunologist in your area and find out local pollen and spore counts for regions in which you live or plan to travel.
AAAAI provides information and helpful tools for the public, including:
For questions, please contact AAAAI at info@aaaai.org or (414) 272-6071.
Equip for Equality is an independent agency whose primary goal is protecting the civil and human rights of citizens with disabilities.
Equip for Equality offers assistance that includes:
- Self-advocacy assistance
- Legal services
- Monitoring
- Training
Bright Futures is a national child health initiative focused on prevention and health promotion for infants, children, adolescents and their families.
The Bright Futures website provides a number of resources for children, teens and families and information to help families build a strong partnership with their healthcare providers.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.