Resource Directory /

Marion Resources

  • The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University

    The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center providing elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The Clerc Center Online Community provides best-practice videos, research, toolkits and resources for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and the professionals who work with them.

    Clerc Center resources include:

    • The Language First Parent Guide, a step-by-step roadmap for parents with children who are deaf and hard of hearing
    • Family-focused activities such as American Sign Language (ASL) classes, bilingual storybooks and more

  • Camp Erin Grief Support Online

    Eluna’s Camp Erin Online provides an intentional space for children and their families to connect, find support and remember the people in their lives who have died. Camp Erin Online focuses on helping families find meaningful support as they move through grief using creative outlets such as:

    • Painting
    • Music
    • Mindfulness
    • Movement
    • Photography

    To attend Camp Erin Online events and programs, fill out an application online.

  • Siblings With a Mission

    Siblings with a Mission is an international organization that supports siblings and families of individuals with complex health conditions and developmental disabilities.  The organization serves both siblings and sibling supporters (parents, grandparents, friends, healthcare providers, professionals, etc.) of all ages and backgrounds. It provides:

    • Sibling support groups focused on a specific diagnosis or disability
    • SibSpot, a place where siblings and sibling supporters can read stories about sibling heroes and meet other siblings from around the world
    • Resource lists and more

  • Carbondale Area Interfaith Refugee Support

    Carbondale Area Interfaith Refugee Support (CAIRS) is a network of community members that helps refugees from around the world adjust to and build a new life in Southern Illinois. CAIRS provides the support necessary to navigate the transition, become citizens, find employment and become neighbors and friends.

    CAIRS provides resources that include:

    • A “New to the Area” resource page in English and Spanish
    • Immigration support services and legal help
    • Money to help with housing and other expenses

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Resources

    This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) aims to help guide parents and caregivers through the steps to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). It links to several websites and provides general guidelines.

    Please note information may change, so be sure to go directly to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) website to verify information remains accurate and up to date.

    Certified Nursing Assistant Resources in English

    Certified Nursing Assistant Resources in Spanish

  • ISBE Resiliency Toolkit

    The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)’s Resiliency Toolkit is a collection of resources designed to foster safe and healthy school climates. In response to the growing mental health challenges that Illinois youth face, this toolkit offers developmentally appropriate tools to help students, parents, caregivers and school personnel build the resilience necessary to thrive.

    ISBE’s Resiliency Toolkit topics include:

    • Mental health
    • Discrimination and harassment
    • Preventing and addressing bullying
    • Substance use prevention and more

  • Cook for Love

    Cook For Love is a nonprofit organization providing support, resources and education to individuals, families and clinicians managing phenylketonuria (PKU). The site empowers members of the metabolic disorders community to improve their health through cooking and education.

    Cook for Love’s website includes:

    • Recipes for creating low-protein foods
    • Information about low-protein products to keep in your pantry
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Videos for making meals and treats

  • Complex Care at Home for Children

    The Complex Care at Home for Children website aims to provide an educational resource for parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity. The site offers information and tools to help facilitate daily care, ensuring a safe environment for the child and family. Topics include:

    • Tracheostomy and other types of respiratory care
    • Peritoneal dialysis
    • Enterostomy care
    • Enteral nutrition
    • Parenteral nutrition
    • Intravenous antibiotic therapy
    • Intermittent bladder catheterization

  • Illinois Poison Center’s Caregivers Guide

    The Illinois Poison Center’s Caregivers Guide webpage offers practical advice on keeping children safe from potentially harmful substances. The guide provides general safety tips along with concrete steps for medicine safety, handbag/purse safety and plant safety. It also offers:

    You can also download a PDF of the guide:

    In case of emergency, call the Poison Center Helpline at (800) 222-1222. Calls are free and confidential.

  • Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)

    Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) provides research, resources and advocacy to improve the quality of life and health of people of all ages with food allergy. Food allergy can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. FARE supports food allergy research, education programs for people with and without food allergy, and awareness around healthcare options and treatment.

    FARE programs and services also include: