Olney Resources
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
The Illinois Center for Autism (ICA) is a nonprofit, community-based mental health treatment and educational agency serving people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ICA offers a variety of programs designed to support families and help individuals from age 3 through adulthood achieve their highest level of independence at home, school and in the community.
ICA provides education, advocacy, social skills, life skills and vocational training and resources to children ages 3 to 22 in its Special Education Program, individuals 22 and older in its Adult Services Program, and their families in its Client Family Support Services Programs.
ICA serves about nine counties in southern Illinois on a regular basis. These counties include Madison, St. Clair, Bond, Clinton, Washington, Monroe, Fayette, Marion, and Macoupin. The center also provides services in other counties based on where students and families reside.
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 Pediatric Special Needs Dentistry
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Care provides comprehensive dental care for children including individuals 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.
Social stories are also available to help children with autism or sensory issues get ready for a dental visit:
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 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.
G-Tube Notebook Videos from Children’s Wisconsin
Children’s Wisconsin’s G-tube Notebook videos offer information and step-by-step help for taking care of a child’s feeding tube. The videos include an introduction to understanding feeding tubes as well as videos specific to caring for and changing tubes. A G-tube refresher class is also available in English and Spanish.
Children’s Wisconsin’s PEG tube video provides information and demonstrations on what to expect after the tube is placed, including:
- Care after surgery and helping the site heal
- Types of PEG tubes
- Tips for caring for and stabilizing the tube
- Primary tube change
- Common problems