Peoria Resources
Equip for Equality has a toll-free Special Education Helpline to help families get appropriate education services for their children. The Helpline can assist by providing:
- Someone to talk to about your questions and concerns
- Information sheets on frequently asked questions
- Sample letters and forms
- Referrals
- Other assistance as needed
Contact the Helpline at 1-866-KIDS-046 (1-866-543-7046) or specialed@equipforequality.org.
This resource directory from the Illinois Early Learning Project provides contact information, descriptions of programs, state agencies, and non-profit organizations in Illinois that provide support for families of young children experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
The directory includes food resources, housing resources, clothing and diaper resources and more.
Coloring Pages for Caregivers
UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children has created adult coloring pages to help caregivers relieve stress and practice mindfulness. Four designs are available in English and Spanish:
Lighthouse (Lighthouse Spanish)
Sunflowers (Sunflowers Spanish)
Easterseals Support for Caregivers
Easterseals offers a variety of programs and resources to provide support and care for caregivers, including respite care, a step-by-step caregiving guide and more.
Easterseals Respite Services for People With Disabilities
Easterseals offers respite services that allow both caregivers and the people for whom they’re caring the opportunity to relax, recharge, and reconnect. Their respite services are offered nationwide and designed to give caregivers a much-needed break from the stress of caregiving.
Respite programs include activities like support groups and retreats for caregivers, and sleepaway camps and overnight stays for the person receiving care. Visit the respite services section of the Easterseals website to find out more.
ARCH National Respite Network and Research Center provides a National Respite Locator on its website as well as additional resources for finding respite in your community.
Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is a national nonprofit organization that aims to improve the quality of life for Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease or the frailties old age.
CAN provides a Family Caregiver Toolbox on a variety of topics.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago is a not-for-profit organization serving 44 counties in Illinois. It offers education, advocacy and case management to people living with epilepsy, their families and the communities in which they live.
The foundation’s client services include case management, programs for children and adults, epilepsy centers, support groups, employment, medications, and driving and transportation.
The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center and Family Voices of Illinois provide this fact sheet on possible options for help with the cost of diapers for children, youth and adults with disabilities.
PUNS is the name for the list of the people in Illinois with developmental disabilities who want or need services but do not yet have funding. Individuals who need help from the government to pay for needed Division of Developmental Disabilities Waiver services now, or in the future, should register for PUNS.
The Arc of Illinois’ Life Span Program provides an overview of how to get on the PUNS list and how to check the approximate date when you may be selected.