Resource Directory /

Rockford Resources

  • American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Internship Programs

    The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) provides two internship programs offering professional and career development opportunities for students and recent graduates with disabilities. The programs help participants access meaningful employment, gain leadership skills and connect to the broader disability community.

    Learn more about the programs and how to apply:

  • Mental Health First Aid

    Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

  • Give an Hour – Rare Caregivers

    Give an Hour aims to create resilient communities of support for rare disease caregivers and families. Through one-on-one peer support, group support, professional training and research, Give an Hour strives to build a sustainable support system for rare caregivers.

    Visit the Give an Hour Rare Caregivers website to find peer support, self-care tips, support groups and more.

  • DSCC’s Health Insurance Appeals Tip Sheet

    An appeal is when you ask your health insurance company to reconsider their decision. Health insurance plans must tell you why they did not cover services. This Health Insurance Appeals tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) includes steps for navigating the process of asking your health insurance company to reconsider their decision. It also includes a sample appeal letter.

    Health Insurance Appeals Tip Sheet in English

    Health Insurance Appeals Tip Sheet in Spanish

  • DSCC’s Insurance Appeals Calendar

    Documentation is very important when appealing a decision made by your health insurance plan. This calendar from from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is one of the tools you can use during the appeals process to help keep track of important dates and documents.

    Insurance Appeals Calendar in English

    Insurance Appeals Calendar in Spanish

  • TDI for Access Communication Access Scholarship Program

    TDI for Access’ annual Communication Access Scholarship Program recognizes graduating high school students who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and deafblind (DHH). The scholarship program is open to graduating DHH high school seniors anywhere in the United States who plan to attend post-secondary school at either a technical college or university.

    The scholarship recognizes students for their passion and capacity to lead and serve as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on accessible communication technologies. The application window is from March to May every year.

  • Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES)

    Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES) provides career and technical education (CTE) courses and oversees a variety of state and federal education improvement grants for schools in DeKalb, LaSalle, Lee, Kane and Kendall counties. Students with disabilities and other special populations in the VALEES region can earn industry credentials and education benefits, participate in skill-building workshops and competitions, and connect with business and industry. Parents, guardians, educators and professionals can visit the VALEES website for resources and programs for special populations.