Resource Directory /

Peoria Resources

  • Illinois Respite Services and Providers List

    Respite is a service providing a temporary break between the family caregiver and the care recipient. Illinois offers a variety of respite services for eligible families and individuals.

    Illinois Life Span (ILS), a program of The Arc of Illinois, provides fact sheets, information and a listing of respite services/providers currently funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. The current listing may be found on their website.

  • Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

    The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is a statewide organization that partners with the state’s 16 local Child Care Resources and Referral (CCR&R) agencies. It is a recognized leader, catalyst and resource for making high-quality, affordable early care and education and school-age care options available for children and families in Illinois.

    CCR&R’s connect and coordinate programs and services for young children and their families. CCR&R’s manage the application and information for families to receive child care assistance, allowing them to work and/or go to school while their children have access to quality early care and education.

    Visit www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch to find your local CCR&R.

  • Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation

    The Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) is a not-for-profit that issues equipment to provide telephone access to Illinois residents who are hard of hearing, late deafened, deaf-blind or speech-disabled.

    ITAC provides both the Illinois Relay phone service and an equipment program, which are both required by state law. Its equipment is designed specifically for people who are having difficulty hearing on the standard phone system. Information is also available in Spanish.

  • The Arc@School Special Education Initiative

    Through The Arc@School initiative, The Arc provides training and resources to help families and others navigate the special education system.

    Arc@School offers information on the supports, services and rights for students with disabilities. It also includes information on advocating for students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a nationwide directory of special education advocacy resources.

    Arc@School materials are also available in Spanish.

  • The September 26th Project

    The September 26th Project focuses on helping families and caregivers of children or adults with cognitive, behavioral and/or physical impairments prepare for wandering and elopement and disasters such as fires floods, or earthquakes.

    The September 26th Projects assists and encourages families to do a checkup at least annually and not put emergency preparedness on the back burner. They provide checklists and information on:

  • CDC COVID-19 Materials for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers

    COVID-19 is challenging to explain, live through and communicate about. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides videos, posters, social stories, and interactive activities to help communicate with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities about COVID-19.

    Five topics are featured in the toolkit:

    • Getting a COVID-19 vaccine
    • Wearing a mask
    • Social distancing
    • Hand washing
    • Getting a COVID-19 test

    The CDC also has a one-page, easy-to-understand tip sheet for caregivers.

    The materials are also available in Spanish.

  • Emergency Preparedness Planning for Families and People with Disabilities

    Ready.gov provides emergency preparedness tools and information to help families before, during and after disasters. This site includes:

    Resources are also available in American Sign Language (ASL)  and other languages including Spanish, simplified and traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

  • Ameren Illinois Economic Hardship Recovery Program

    Ameren Illinois’ Economic Hardship Recovery Program provides information on various energy assistance programs, payment options and tips on lowering your utility bill.

    This step-by-step resource includes information on:

    • Assistance paying your energy bills, applying for financial assistance and eligibility guidelines
    • Exploring payment options
    • Tips for lowering future energy bills and energy efficiency programs

    Click here for a list of assistance programs statewide, including Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF), a program designed to help moderate-income seniors and families who have temporarily experienced a hardship but may not meet the guidelines of government programs.

    For more information, contact Ameren Illinois at (800) 755-5000 (residential customers) or (800) 232-2477 (business customers).

  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

    The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months).

    Additionally, you will also qualify for assistance with your water and wastewater bills if your household is disconnected, in threat of disconnection or if you are more than $250 in arrears on your current bill.  You will apply for Low Income Household Water Assistance (LIHWAP) at the same time you complete your current LIHEAP application.

    Due to COVID-19 precautions, some local agencies are closed to the public, but applications may be made remotely.

    To help find an office serving your area, visit this complete list of LIHEAP application agencies based on county.

    For more program information, get the Help Illinois Families flyer, check out the frequently asked questions or call the LIHEAP hotline at (877) 411-WARM (9276).

    Local agencies may offer different types of LIHEAP assistance depending on funding availability and the utility service area.