Resource Directory /

Olney Resources

  • Adolescent Suicide Postvention Resources Hub

    The Adolescent Suicide Postvention Resources Hub provides articles, books and other comprehensive resources to support adolescents and their communities as they navigate the grieving process and find a path towards healing. Resources are available for individuals, communities and school districts.

    “Postvention” is a term to describe best practices after a suicide. The Adolescent Suicide Postvention Resources Hub offers information on topics including:

    • Communicating and understanding postvention
    • Parent resources and support groups
    • 24/7 support

  • The Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice

    The Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice is a national resource center for youth with disabilities. Youth Voice, Youth Choice provides self-advocates, their families and supporters with advocacy, alternatives to guardianship teaching tools, plain language resources and more. It offers:

    • Videos and youth stories
    • Alternatives to guardianship tools with stories and resources to help make tough decisions
    • A plain language series featuring a wide variety of important topics
    • The Youth Ambassador Curriculum for building leadership and advocacy skills

  • QuestBridge

    QuestBridge is a nonprofit that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds to scholarships, financial aid and other learning opportunities to help them attend top colleges nationwide. QuestBridge also provides a Student Resource Center featuring a student workbook, checklists and tips for preparing, applying and paying for college. Its programs include:

    • The College Prep Scholars Program helps high school juniors become strong applicants to top colleges.
    • Quest for Excellence Awards provide high school juniors opportunities to receive scholarships, laptops and funding for partner college visits.
    • The National College Match is the next step for high school seniors. College Match participants can apply for free to colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship.
    • The QuestBridge Regular Decision program provides finalists who do not match an opportunity to be considered for admission and financial aid through a partnering college.

    Visit the QuestBridge website for up-to-date program information, application deadlines and information about other programs.

  • The Guthrie-Koch Scholarship for Individuals with Certain Metabolic Disorders

    The Guthrie-Koch Scholarship from flok is for individuals with one of several metabolic disorders. The scholarship is for students demonstrating character, academic achievement and engagement with their community, and who are pursuing post-secondary educational or vocational opportunities. Students from any country can apply. Scholarship applications open by mid-December each year. Applications are due in mid-March.

    To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must have one of these metabolic disorders:

    • Classical HCU
    • Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)
    • An Organic Acidemia
    • Phenylketonuria (PKU)
    • Tyrosinemia
    • Urea Cycle Disorder (UCD)

  • The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Center at CTF Illinois

    The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Center at CTF Illinois provides services and support to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and their families. CTF Illinois family and community resource rooms are located in in both Charleston and Olney.

    TAP at CTF serves Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Clark, Moultrie, Douglas, Shelby, Clay, Richland, Crawford and Lawrence counties. Services include:

    • Family nights and new diagnosis family orientation
    • Play groups for children under 3
    • Social skills and monthly support groups
    • Food and nutrition-related consultations

  • Advocate Dental Center in Chicago

    Advocate Dental Center provides a wide range of dental services for adults and children with developmental disabilities through its Special Patient Dental Care Program. The program’s services include:

    • Dental exams and cleanings
    • X-rays
    • Fillings
    • Root canal treatments
    • Extractions, crowns and tooth replacements
    • IV sedation
    • Operating room dentistry

    Call (773) 871-2188 to discuss Special Patient Dental Care Program eligibility and appointment scheduling.

  • The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry Services

    The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry provides comprehensive dental care including a full range of services for people with disabilities and children with complex oral health needs and special developmental and behavioral care needs. Pediatric Dentistry clinics provide care for children from infancy through adolescence (under age 17), including:

    • Comprehensive oral health examinations, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, restorative procedures (fillings, crowns, etc.)
    • Extractions and minor surgical procedures
    • Urgent care (trauma, infection, etc.) and more

    These services can be completed using inhalation sedation (Nitrous oxide), moderate sedation and general anesthesia. Read more about pediatric services.

    People with disabilities can request services to help them participate equally in the College of Dentistry’s services, programs and activities. Requests can include sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible.

  • St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago

    St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago provides dental care for children and adults with special needs. The Dental Center provides:

    • Two operating rooms specifically for oral rehabilitation
    • Dentists and surgeons trained to provide complex care, including careful and various levels of sedation
    • Services from routine exams and cleanings to advanced orthodontics, crowns, urgent root canals and more
    • Help with insurance and payment options

    Contact St. Bernard’s Dental Center at Dental@stbh.org or call (773) 962-3976 for more information.

  • Disability Vote IL

    Disability Vote IL provides voting resources and information for the disability community. The site offers updated nonpartisan videos, webinars and information on elections, how to register to vote, and promoting accessibility of voting technology and polling places. The website also includes information about:

    • The Be My Eyes app that helps people who are blind or have vision impairments with voting
    • Transportation to the polls
    • In-person, nursing home and hospital voting
    • Important dates

  • Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA

    The U.S. Department of Education’s Assistive Technology (AT) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) resource page can help guide parents and professionals who support children with disabilities who need AT devices and services for meaningful access and engagement in education. Information is available in English and Spanish.

    The page also includes “Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Devices and Services.” This publication aims to increase understanding of the AT requirements under IDEA. It also aims to:

    • Dispel common misconceptions about AT
    • Provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities
    • Highlight the different requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA

    You can also review “Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Devices and Services” in Spanish.