Olney Resources
Special Father’s Network is a dad-to-dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs.
The program connects new fathers with special needs children to another father (a Mentor Father) who has experienced a similar situation. The program matches Mentor Fathers as closely as possible based on the child’s special needs, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic group and relationship to the child e.g., .father, stepfather, grandfather).
The Special Father’s Network is available through the 21st Century Dads Foundation, which raises awareness and resources for greater father involvement and seeks to inspire dads to be present, caring and nurturing.
DSCC’s Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Caregivers
The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Caregivers is a tool to help parents and their children prepare for the transition to adulthood and taking care of their healthcare needs. You can fill out this form to see what you already know about your child’s health and the areas you think they want to learn more about.
Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Caregivers in English
Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Caregivers in Spanish
DCCC’s Self-Care Skills Assessment for Young Adults
The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) assessment form will help young adults see what they already know about their health, how to use health care and the areas they want to learn more about as they transition to adulthood.
Opportunities for Access – A Center for Independent Living
Opportunities for Access – A Center for Independent Living (OFACIL) is a member of the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living serving residents of Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Hamilton, Jasper, Jefferson, Marion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne and White counties. Offices are located in Mt. Vernon, Carmi and Effingham.
Programs include:
- Skills and employment training
- Support groups and advocacy
- Housing referral and community reintegration
- Youth transition and parent training program
- Adaptive equipment
Crosswalk Community Action Agency
Crosswalk Community Action Agency (CCAA) offers a variety of programs and services to help individuals and families in Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson and Williamson Counties. CCAA programs address the “day-to-day” needs and help individuals work to become self-sufficient.
Programs include:
- A Diaper Program
- Emergency Services
- Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
- Food Pantry
- Homeless Prevention Services
- Home Repair and Rehabilitation
- Home Weatherization (IHWAP)
- Scholarships
Guaranteed Rate Foundation provides financial support to those working to overcome extraordinary hardships.
Knowing that it can be difficult to ask for help in times of need, the foundation strives to make the request for assistance process as simple as possible and encourages applicants to contact them with any questions.
Children in Therapy and You (C.I.T.Y.) of Support is an online and in-person community that supports all families navigating the needs of their child in therapy, regardless of diagnosis, age, therapeutic needs or overall situation. Information, resources and events are available online, free of charge.
C.I.T.Y. of Support includes members from all across Chicagoland. Local leaders help coordinate on-site events and opportunities within specific geographic regions.
C.I.T.Y. of Support also sponsored the creation of the Accessibility Support Collection at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Children in therapy and their caregivers may borrow therapeutic toys/tools/print materials from the library to explore at home.
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources
The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) is a private, non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all children affected by hearing and communication disorders.
Parent resources and programming include:
Physical Restraint, Time Out and Isolated Time Out (RTO) Bill of Rights
The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) RTO Parent Bill of Rights is a resource for parents and guardians to help understand their rights, the rights of students, how to file a complaint and other important information related to physical restraint, time out and isolated time out in schools.
More details and helpful documents about restraint, time out and isolated time out, including multiple translations of the RTO Parent Bill of Rights, are on ISBE’s website.
Illinois Money Wellness
Illinois Money Wellness is a text campaign to encourage good money habits for people with disabilities and the people who support them. Illinois Money Wellness provides one text per week with information on financial wellness resources and advice from the National Disability Institute in collaboration with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.
You will receive one text per week and your personal information will not be shared with anyone when you sign up for Illinois Money Wellness. You may use this form to sign up or text MONEY to (833) 313-0298.