Chicago Resources
DSCC’s Adult Living Arrangements/Self-Reliant Skills Checklist
There are many activities that youth with specialized healthcare needs can practice doing to become more self-reliant and ready for their desired adult living arrangements. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this Adult Living Arrangements/Self-Reliant Skills Checklist to help youth and their families learn about and build important skills and abilities in the areas of independence, nutrition, personal care and hygiene, and mobility/exercise. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
DSCC’s Adult Living Arrangements/Self-Reliant Skills Checklist in English
DSCC’s Adult Living Arrangements/Self-Reliant Skills Checklist in Spanish
DSCC’s Skills Checklist – Social
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this checklist to help youth gain important social skills and abilities needed to reach their highest level of independence. Youth can use this checklist to identify and build skills in areas such as communication, pet care, safety, socialization and recreation. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
DSCC’s Travel Safety Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet for youth with special healthcare needs and their families to encourage travel safety. The tip sheet also provides information about adaptive driver programs and possible resources for vehicle adaptations.
DSCC’s Drugs and Smoking Tip Sheet for Teens
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs understand the importance of taking care of their bodies and knowing the facts about using tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping, drugs and alcohol.
Medications, tobacco, street drugs, and alcohol are all chemicals that cause your body to react in different ways. Knowing what you are putting into your body and learning to say “no” to peer pressure are important steps in deciding what is right for you.
“It’s Your Body – Know What You Are Putting Into It” tip sheet in English
“It’s Your Body – Know What You Are Putting Into It” tip sheet in Spanish
DSCC’s Importance of Friendships Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs learn about the importance of making friends, sharing ideas and interests, and respecting themselves and others.
DSCC’s Relationships and Sexuality Development Tip Sheet
Teens with disabilities have the same feelings, needs and desires as people without disabilities. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs understand these feelings and learn about things to consider if they decide to date or have a personal relationship.
Relationships and Sexuality Development tip sheet in English
Relationships and Sexuality Development tip sheet in Spanish
DSCC’s Chores for Teens Tip Sheet
It’s important for teens to help around the house. This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) will help teens with special healthcare needs understand how being responsible for chores at home can build new skills and greater independence as an adult.
This tips sheet also includes additional resources and a home living activities checklist.
DSCC’s Staying Healthy Tip Sheet for Teens
Teens of all ages and abilities can improve their quality of life through regular, moderate physical activity. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help teens learn about the importance of exercising and finding activities that they enjoy doing.
DSCC’s Home Fire Safety Skills Tip Sheet
A fire can happen at any time. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families learn about practicing fire safety in the home.
DSCC’s My Body is Changing Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs navigate puberty and learn about the changes they are experiencing.
The tip sheet also includes information for parents on talking to your kids and surviving puberty.