Resource Directory /

Marion Resources

  • Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois

    The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois provides resources, education and support for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and their caregivers. Its website includes information about:

    • Current SCD treatment options
    • Virtual monthly support groups on Zoom
    • GroupMe app support groups (the app is for use on cell phones or computers)
    • SCD testing and newborn screening
    • Scholarships and camp opportunities
    • Events

  • The Kids Equipment Network

    The Kids Equipment Network (TKEN) is a non-profit organization connecting children with disabilities with new and gently-used durable, adaptive equipment at no cost. Illinois families with children from birth to 21 can fill out an application to request equipment. TKEN then seeks equipment matching the child’s needs. The family is invited to a fitting clinic when the equipment becomes available.

    Volunteers provide free monthly clinics for custom-fitting equipment in Chicago and the suburbs. Families can request items including:

    • Strollers
    • Wheelchairs
    • Bath and toilet systems
    • Crutches
    • Canes and more

  • Ariana Rye Foundation

    The Ariana Rye Foundation helps children up to age 18 with developmental disabilities and complex medical medical needs get equipment to foster their social, mental and physical development. Families in need, from anywhere in the United States, can apply for help. Requests for equipment can include feeding or bath chairs, car seats, adaptive strollers, mats, wedges, specialty swings, sensory equipment and more.

    The application, requirements for applying, and the annual application deadline are posted on its website.

    Families can apply once per year. The one-time equipment grant provides up to $1000 per child.

  • Wabash Area Development, Inc. (WADI) in Enfield

    Wabash Area Development, Inc. (WADI) is a Community Action Agency serving Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Wabash, Wayne, White and Saline counties. WADI provides emergency help for homeless and low-income families and individuals. It also offers education, housing, homeless prevention and job training programs to empower people to become more self-sufficient. WADI services and programs include:

    • Energy assistance
    • Emergency transitional housing
    • Head Start/Early Head Start
    • Rental housing support
    • Work experience,  on-the-job training and employment assistance
    • Education scholarship opportunities

  • Brave Health Online Mental Health Services

    Brave Health provides online mental health services and accepts more than 200 insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. Physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists and counselors with specialized training in mental health care provide care virtually in English and Spanish. Services include one-on-one and group therapy sessions, medication management, specialized programs and help managing complex medical and behavioral health challenges for adults and youth ages 13 and up.

    Brave Health has a closed-loop referral process and also accepts patients who do not have insurance. Patients, referrers and providers can visit Brave Health’s website for information on how to get started and other resources.

  • Southern Illinois University Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Carbondale

    The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) at Southern Illinois University is an interprofessional training and research center providing information and services to area residents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. CASD offers ASD screenings, clinical services for children, adolescents and adults, webinars and support.

    CASD faculty and students provide a variety of training and services, many at no cost to families and their children. Help is available in the following areas:

    • Speech/language
    • Social skills
    • Emotional-behavioral concerns
    • Toileting
    • Sleep
    • Picky eating and more

    For more information, call (618) 453-7130 or email autism@siu.edu.

  • United Leukodystrophy Foundation

    The United Leukodystrophy Foundation (ULF) is a nonprofit providing leukodystrophy patients and their families with support and resources. ULF can help families with finding medical care, genetic counseling, networking and financial assistance. It also provides funding for medical research each year.

    ULF is based in Dekalb, Ill. Its Services and supports also include:

  • Autism Speaks Transition to Adulthood Resources

    Autism Speaks offers autistic teens and their families inspiration, information, toolkits and support for creating a roadmap for their transition to adulthood journey. Its transition planning tools for individuals and their families include:

  • Charting the LifeCourse Nexus Training and Technical Resource Center

    Charting the LifeCourse Nexus or LifeCourse Nexus framework was developed by families to help individuals with disabilities at any age or stage of life and their families develop a vision for a good life. LifeCourse Nexus provides free infographics, YouTube videos and step-by-step tip sheets to help people of all ages and abilities with identifying their dreams and desires, thinking about what they need to know and do, identifying how to find or develop supports, and discovering what it takes to live the lives they want to live.

    The LifeCourse Nexus Library features a wide range of downloadable materials to help with the transition from school to community, including:

    • Person-centered tools for exploring your desires and unique needs
    • The family perspective booklet and tip sheets
    • Kits (The Life Domains) focusing on life stages and exploring employment, healthy living, housing options and other areas
    • Videos and step-by-step tip sheets on using the Integrated Supports Star tools to bring everything together