Chicago Resources
Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) is the Chicago metropolitan area’s Parent Training and Information Center. The FRCD can help you learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), make informed decisions about your child’s individualized education program (IEP), obtain appropriate services for your child, communicate more effectively with school professionals and more.
The FRCD serves the following eight Illinois counties: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.
You can contact the FRCD at (312) 939-3513 or info@frcd.org.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Illinois.gov website provides information about all the different services that various Illinois state agencies offer.
NORD: National Organization for Rare Disorders
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) offers support, information and a variety of events for clinicians, researchers, patients and families affected by rare diseases.
NORD’s Resource Center provides patients and caregivers with free webinars, fact sheets, infographics, links to support and advocacy groups, and referrals for many rare disorders.
NORD’s RareCare Program website provides a list of financial assistance programs that can help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford.
NORD’s State Resource Center contains local, state and national organizations listed by state or by topic offering free or low-cost services for people impacted by rare diseases.
ComeUnity is a parent support website with resources on parenting children with special needs, adoption, child development and multiple lists of groups and organizations providing information on specific topics or areas.
Visit www.comeunity.com/index.html.
PACER Center is a parent training and information center for families of children and youth with all disabilities from birth to young adults. It serves families across the nation.
Parents can find publications, workshops and other resources to help make decisions about education, vocational training, employment and other services for their children with disabilities.
Shriner’s Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children has a mission to provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment.
Healthfinder.gov is provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (OASH). It’s an easy-to-use tool for finding and accessing screenings, vaccines, and other preventive care you need to stay healthy.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health. The CDC provides up-to-date information and resources on topics such as nutrition, diseases and conditions, healthy living, violence and safety, detecting and responding to new and emerging health threats, and more.
Nemours KidsHealth provides doctor-reviewed articles, videos and health information on a wide range of topics for parents, kids, teens and educators in English and Spanish. KidsHealth offers information on growth and development, diseases and conditions, school and family life, visiting the doctor, medical procedures and more.
Other resources and information include:
- Tips for parents on understanding children’s health, behavior, and growth – from before birth through the teen years.
- A kids area where they can learn how the body works and more
- A place for teens with topics such as body self-esteem, playing sports, knowing the signs of an abusive relationship and more
- A section for educators with teaching tools to use in the classroom for all ages