Resource Directory /

Marion Resources

  • Rides Mass Transit District in Southern Illinois

    Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD) offers clean, comfortable and cost-effective public transportation in Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Lawrence, Pope, Richland, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson counties. RMTD provides door-to-door and fixed-route service to anyone needing transportation. RMTD also provides ADA paratransit services for people with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route bus services where available.

    RMTD’s ADA paratransit service is by reservation only. For more details or to make a reservation:

  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission

    The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)‘s mission is to provide Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable.

    ISAC provides comprehensive, objective, and timely information on education and financial aid for students and their families—giving them access to the tools they need to make the educational choices that are right for them. Then, through the state scholarship and grant programs ISAC administers, ISAC can help students make those choices a reality.

    The ISAC Student Portal offers free online tools and resources for students, as well as short videos about college planning and financial aid. It also offers ISAC College Q&A, a free texting service that allows any student to submit their financial aid and college planning questions and receive a response from ISAC staff.

    ISAC also offers assistance through the agency’s call center at (800) 899-4722 (ISAC).

  • DSCC’s Health Care Transition Tip Sheet

    Health care transition means moving from pediatric (child) to adult health care. A good transition takes planning. This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) can help you and your family plan for transition. It includes information on who should help with health care transition planning, where to find resources and steps you can take to get the services you need so you can lead the kind of life you want to have.

    Health Care Transition tip sheet in English

    Health Care Transition tip sheet in Spanish

  • Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities

    The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) helps lead change in Illinois so all people with developmental disabilities exercise their right to equal opportunity and freedom.

    ICDD provides information, investments and initiatives to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families have a part in the design of and access to culturally competent services, supports and other assistance and opportunities that promote independence, productivity and integration and inclusion into the community.

  • HealthWell Foundation

    The HealthWell Foundation aims to reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases. It provides financial assistance to eligible individuals to cover copays, health care premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Illinois Respite Coalition

    The Illinois Respite Coalition (IRC) is a not-for-profit organization of caregivers and respite providers dedicated to supporting families and ensuring access to quality respite services for the residents of Illinois. The IRC assists caregivers by connecting them to resources in their area, providing training on respite topics and having funding available for emergency respite. The IRC helps caregivers of individuals across the lifespan with any disability.

    The Emergency Respite Care Program offers funding and resources to support caregivers who are not receiving any respite services and have an urgent need for respite care in the absence of any other funding source.  Emergency respite care may be for an unplanned or planned event for reasons including:

    • Caregiver illness (physical, mental or emotional)
    • Caregiver hospitalization
    • Work-related situation
    • Reduction of stress level

    The website gives examples of qualifying circumstances and information on how to apply. See the emergency care flyer for more details. (The flyer is also available in Spanish.)

    For more information, contact:

  • Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois

    The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois aims to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives. Its programs include epilepsy and seizure support services, home-based services, residential services, epilepsy education programs, support groups, a scholarship and more.

    Its website also provides resources including a New to Epilepsy Guide, Seizure Calendar and more.

  • DSCC’s Solving Problems and Making Your Own Decisions Tip Sheet

    The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare and their families/caregivers build important problem-solving and decision-making skills. This tip sheet includes suggestions, steps and resources for developing the skills you need to be more independent and responsible as an adult.

    Solving Problems and Making Your Own Decisions tip sheet in English

    Solving Problems and Making Your Own Decisions tip sheet in Spanish