Peoria Resources
Variety – The Children’s Charity of Illinois
Variety of Illinois’ mission is to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities by providing the equipment and experiences needed to reach their highest potential.
Its programs include Variety at Play, which offers inclusive, accessible activities for the whole family; Kids on the Go that provides mobility equipment not covered by insurance for children with disabilities; and Live to Achieve that encourages participation and excellence in adaptive sports.
Home Accessibility Program (HAP)
Funded by the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, HAP provides funding to local governments and non-profit organizations throughout Illinois to provide home accessibility grants to their local constituency. These grants help people stay in their homes and prevent premature or unnecessary institutionalization of the elderly and people with disabilities.
The Organization for Understanding Congenital Hearts (T.O.U.C.H.) provides support and information to empower families, children, youth and adults with congenital heart defects.
For additional information, contact touchhearts365@gmail.com
Dunlap & Central Illinois Special Needs Parent Group
A forum for parents to discuss different topics for their special needs children.
Meets monthly at Dunlap Valley Middle School.
For additional information, contact Libby at (309) 693-0514 or email dunlapparentgroup@att.net.
Red Café Parent Support Group
Parents share information and ideas to help take care of themselves, raise strong children, and build strong relationships with their kids with disabilities.
1st Thursday of each month
6:00pm – 7:00pm
To register, call (309) 686-1177 or email parentsupport@ci.easterseals.com.
Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center
This non-profit community agency provides confidential help to people experiencing violence in their relationships.
DSCC’s Education Skills Checklist
The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) education skills checklist can help youth and their families identify the skills and abilities they have met as well as those areas where they may need more focus. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
Transition to Employment & Adult Services
The Arc of Illinois Family to Family Health Information and Education Center’s Family Transition Manual provides help for families of young adults with developmental disabilities preparing to transition from school and services for children to the world of work and adult services.
DSCC’s Work Skills Checklist
The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) Work Skills Checklist is designed to help youth identify work-related skills they have and other areas where they may need more focus. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS)
The Plan to Achieve Self Support or PASS for people with disabilities is a written plan of action for getting a particular kind of job or starting a business offered by the Social Security Administration. The PASS allows you to earn more money to apply towards a work goal, without reducing your SSI benefits.