Resource Directory /

Peoria Resources

  • Illinois Department of Insurance Brochure

    The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) protects consumers and ensures that all entities regulated by IDOI are in compliance with state and federal laws. IDOI also investigates complaints relating to insurance agents and brokers. IDOI provides Illinois consumers:

    • Information and education about their rights under state and federal laws
    • Assistance regarding health, auto, homeowners and life insurance issues

    Department of Insurance Brochure in English

    Department of Insurance Brochure in Spanish

  • DSCC’s It’s Great to be Involved Tip Sheet

    There are lots of ways to experience belonging. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families explore being involved in sports, leisure and other community activities. This tip sheet includes information on exploring your personal interests, funding and scholarships to support your activities, and steps you can take to get involved.

    It’s Great to be Involved tip sheet in English

    It’s Great to be Involved tip sheet in Spanish

  • Global Genes

    Global Genes is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the burdens and challenges of rare diseases for patients and families globally. It aims to connect, empower and inspire the rare disease community.

    The Global Genes website includes a RARE Portal, which is an online community for patients, caregivers and more to share resources and create discussion groups.

  • Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center

    The Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center, funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, educates parents and caregivers of children with special needs on the importance of proper child passenger safety. The Special Needs Child Passenger Resource Center’s main location is at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. A satellite site is located at LaRabida Children’s Hospital, in Chicago. Its services include:

    • A resource center for nurseries and organizations across Illinois that provides over-the-phone and in-person consultation and guidance for proper car seat usage and optimum safety.
    • Education to parents, groups, hospital staff and certified child passenger safety technicians on changes in national guidelines and new seat choices.
    • Proper selection, installation and fitting of special needs restraints for parents and their children.
    • A  short-term loan program to provide seats to parents in need.

    Learn more on the Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center website.

  • Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AGBADHH) is a non-profit organization providing resources to support hearing-impaired individuals and their families, information to help increase understanding of hearing loss, and research relating to auditory or verbal communication.

    AGBADHH also offers in-service training for teachers, scholarships and conferences, and collaborates with physicians, speech/language specialists and other professionals to promote educational, vocational and social opportunities for affected individuals. Visit the AGBADHH website for more details.

  • Signed by Stories

    Signed By Stories aims to raise mental health awareness, advocacy, education and support for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, late-deafened and deaf-disabled through storytelling.

    Signed By Stories is working to create a community where deaf and hard-of-hearing people can:

    • Join together and share their mental health stories
    • Receive validation for their experiences
    • Learn how to better support their own and the larger community’s mental health needs
    • Have a platform where both deaf and hearing people have the knowledge, tools and feel empowered to take action to improve the current state of mental health care for deaf people

  • GiGi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

    GiGi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers provide free, nationwide on-site and virtual educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. Programs are available for individuals of all ages focusing on speech and language, social skills, cooking and fitness.

    GiGi’s Playhouse Illinois locations include:

    • Chicago
    • Deerfield
    • Fox Valley
    • Hoffman Estates
    • McHenry County
    • Quad Cities
    • Rockford
    • Tinley Park

  • GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse

    GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse offers opportunities to build relationships and community connections and access free programming and resources tailored for individuals with Down syndrome. The playhouse serves individuals with Down syndrome of all ages, expecting moms and dads, caregivers, siblings, parents, grandparents, doctors, educators, volunteers and more.

    GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse provides a variety of programs focused on therapeutic needs, educational needs, career development and global acceptance.