Resource Directory /

Olney Resources

  • Best Buddies in Illinois

    Best Buddies in Illinois offers one-to-one friendship, integrated employment and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

    Best Buddies offers chapters throughout Illinois. Programs and opportunities include:

    For contact information, visit the Best Buddies in Illinois staff directory page.

  • Families, Addiction and Mental Health Network

    The Caregiver Action Network’s Families, Addiction & Mental Health Network (FAM) is committed to helping and supporting caregivers, families, and patients navigate specialized supports and resources.

    FAM recognizes the diversity and specialized support caregivers need to navigate substance use disorders and mental health care. FAM can connect caregivers with tailored tools and news to help navigate the complex mental healthcare landscape and advocate for their loved ones, and take care of their own health. FAM also provides educational articles, webinars, training, and other resources with lessons from fellow caregivers, healthcare professionals, social workers and others.

  • Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources

    Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources provides services to anyone of any age with epilepsy or a seizure disorder who resides in its service area of central and northwest Illinois. Its services include:

    • Peer support and support groups
    • Caregiver support
    • Accessing benefits
    • Navigating insurance
    • Medical service support
    • Access to counseling
    • Vocational support
    • Help coordinating transportation

    For more details, email epilepsy@streatorunlimited.org or call (815) 673-5574.

  • Friends of Man

    Friends of Man is a non-profit that uses 100% of donations for charitable assistance. The charity receives applications requesting mobility equipment, prosthetics, home modifications, medical equipment, hearing aids, basic needs and much more from referring professionals. Referring professionals include caseworkers, case managers, healthcare workers, social workers, school counselors, teachers and clergy who apply on behalf of their patients and clients.

    In addition to the assistance listed above, Friends of Man can provide assistance nationwide for adaptive equipment, assistive technology, lift chairs, mobility equipment, orthopedic braces and shoes, stairlifts, vehicle adaptations and wheelchair ramps.

    More details are on the Friends of Man Eligibility page.

  • Find Help Southern Illinois

    Find Help Southern Illinois connects people to area programs and services, including:

    • Food and basic needs, such as food pantries, baby supplies, clothing and home goods
    • Housing and shelter options
    • Healthcare services, including medical, dental and vision care and transportation to health care
    • Addition and recovery support
    • Mental well-being services
    • Financial assistance for child care, transportation, medical supplies and more
    • Use the search filter to find the help you need in your community—sort by “closest” to receive the local information first
    • Education and employment programs
    • Legal assistance

    The resource hub is an initiative of Southern Illinois Healthcare, Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network and the Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families. The hub also receives support from the McKinney Vento Program for the Homeless Region V, Carbondale Elementary School District 95, Herrin Community Unit School District 4 Family Outreach Program, and the Carbondale Community Cabinet for Children and Youth with funding provided by Birth to Five Illinois.

  • “Independent Living, Here We Come” Toolkit

    The “Independent Living, Here We Come Toolkit” is for young people and adults with disabilities who want to learn to live on their own or take care of themselves with less help. It serves as a guide for family members, caregivers, teachers and others helping anyone with disabilities navigate and build greater independence.

    The toolkit is divided into 13 skill areas. You can complete one section at a time or download the entire “Independent Living, Here We Come Toolkit.”

    Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans and the Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center created this toolkit.

  • The Autism Hero Project

    The Autism Hero Project champions inclusion and fosters an environment where everyone, regardless of neurodiversity, is valued and empowered to thrive. The organization helps support, equip and foster acceptance of people with autism.

    The Autism Hero Project provides:

    The Autism Hero Project Medical Insurance Grant Application program application period usually runs from September through October. If you have any application questions, please email applications@autismheroproject.org.

  • The HAP Foundation

    The HAP Foundation provides patient-centered hospice and palliative care education, research, workforce development and support. The foundation helps any family of a child or adult living with a serious illness understand palliative and hospice care options, and connect to and strengthen care throughout their journey. The HAP Foundation resources also include:

    • Palliative and hospice care information for families and medical professionals
    • Help for finding and accessing care
    • Missing Pieces support group for anyone grieving the loss of a child
    • The Pediatric Resource Guide for patients, families and practitioners
    • Chicagoland resources and events

  • Perkins School for the Blind College Readiness Resource Center

    Perkins School for the Blind College Readiness Resource Center helps students and the many people involved in assisting them prepare for success. Students, families and education professionals can access helpful planning and assessment tools, checklists and resources for going to college, pre-college training programs or heading straight to work.

    The College Readiness Resource Center includes:

    • Resources for families to start planning early
    • Information on the laws that affect the transition from high school to college
    • How to get students ready for life after high school
    • The College Readiness Checklist and Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) Toolkit

  • Generation Patient

    Generation Patient is a nonprofit organization created by and for young adult patients with chronic, complex, rare or undiagnosed medical conditions. The organization’s focus includes providing peer-support groups, roundtable discussions and helping to drive systems-level change through policy work, leadership programming and advocacy initiatives across healthcare and research spaces.

    Generation Patient also offers: