Resource Directory /

Rockford Resources

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

    The U.S. Department of Education’s IDEA website has information for parents, students, educators, service providers and more on resources for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. The site includes the IDEA Parents and Families Resource page.

  • Special Camps Overnight Camps for Children, Youth and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

    Special Camps provide opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to experience overnight camp. Special Camps are volunteer-run and offer trained staff and 24-hour nursing for children and adults with disabilities who could not otherwise attend a similar camp due to physical, medical or developmental needs. Financial scholarships are available to campers in need.

    Campers can make friends, increase independence and try new activities. Special Camps take place each year at Camp Red Leaf in Ingleside.

    Camp registration typically opens in early February. For questions, please contact Colleen McDonald at (630) 690-0944 or colleen.scamps@icloud.com.

  • Dean Ritter Foundation Scholarship for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    The Dean Ritter Foundation Scholarship for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 annually to graduating high school seniors throughout Illinois who have severe to profound hearing impairments. Individuals with financial needs will receive special consideration, but the program does not make scholarship decisions solely on a financial basis. Application deadlines and the number and amount of scholarships vary each year.

    Students must be continuing their education at an accredited university or technical school to receive tuition scholarships. They must also:

    • Be an Illinois resident
    • Be a senior in high school in good standing
    • Have significant (severe to profound) hearing loss in one or both ears

  • The Center for Courageous Kids Summer Camps and Family Retreats

    The Center for Courageous Kids (CKC) offers free family retreat weekends and overnight summer camp sessions for youth ages 5 to 17 with complex medical conditions and disabilities. CKC welcomes children with a wide range of conditions, including heart/cardiovascular disease, blood disorders, sickle cell disease, spina bifida, and more. The camp provides 24-hour medical coverage, an on-site medical center, and program and medical staff with training and experience in all aspects of medical camping.

    The Center for Courageous Kids is open to youth ages 5 to 17 diagnosed with one of the illnesses/conditions it serves and immediate family members. To learn more about the camp, you can also:

  • Flying Horse Farms Camp for Families and Children with Serious Illnesses

    Flying Horse Farms (FHF) is a free medical specialty camp for children and young adults ages 7 to 21 with complex medical conditions and their families. Located in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, FHF offers fun, transformative overnight and family camping experiences to campers across the United States. Camps are available for children and young adults with diagnoses and conditions that include:

    • Heart and lung conditions
    • Rheumatologic diagnoses
    • Craniofacial diagnoses
    • Blood disorders
    • Gastrointestinal disorders
    • Spinal cord diagnoses
    • Mental health conditions

    There is no cost to attend camp sessions. Lodging and meals are also provided.

  • The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University

    The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center providing elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The Clerc Center Online Community provides best-practice videos, research, toolkits and resources for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and the professionals who work with them.

    Clerc Center resources include:

    • The Language First Parent Guide, a step-by-step roadmap for parents with children who are deaf and hard of hearing
    • Family-focused activities such as American Sign Language (ASL) classes, bilingual storybooks and more

  • YWCA La Voz Latina

    YWCA La Voz Latina‘s services include:

    • Information and referral services
    • One-on-one parenting classes and adult education workshops
    • Advocacy for at-risk families
    • Immigrant and refugee assistance, information, orientation and referral to services
    • Language proficiency assessments and services for businesses and offices
    • Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP) classes for men in both English and Spanish

    These programs are not limited to the Latino/Hispanic population. The organization serves Boone, Jo Daviess, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties.

  • Catholic Charities of Rockford

    Catholic Charities of Rockford serves people in need in Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Carroll, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, Whiteside and Lee counties. Its programs and services include:

    • Counseling and a mental health ministry
    • Immigration and refugee services
    • Emergency help
    • Food pantry and clothing closet
    • Project Hire employment training and services
    • Volunteer opportunities