Rockford Resources
Free COVID-19 Rapid Tests for Vulnerable Illinoisans
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is distributing at-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to economically disadvantaged Illinois families in zip codes outside the city of Chicago. Households can:
- Find out if they are in an eligible zip code
- Request one package of five tests
- Get tests on a first-come, first-served basis at the Project ACT website
The tests will be delivered to the home address.
Free COVID-19 testing locations are available throughout the state, including in Chicago. You can find testing sites on the IDPH website’s testing locator page.
DSCC Emergency Preparedness Tip Sheet
Emergencies like power outages and weather events can be especially dangerous for individuals with complex medical needs. This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) helps with emergency knowledge and disaster planning. It includes important considerations for emergency situations as well as a resource toolbox with expert advice for pediatric, disability and/or advanced healthcare needs.
Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF)
The Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) program is now accepting applications for assistance. This federally funded program helps homeowners at risk of default, foreclosure or displacement as a result of a financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ILHAF provides up to $60,000 in mortgage assistance to eligible homeowners. The program pays mortgage assistance directly to the servicer, taxing body or other approved entity.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IDHA) is providing free, how-to webinars in English and Spanish to help homeowners with the application process. Visit the ILHAF website for more details.
If you have questions, please contact ILHAF customer relations at (866) 454-3571 or email hafquestions@ihda.org.
DSCC and Illinois LEND’s Transition Resources for Hispanic Teens in the Chicago Area
The transition to adulthood can be a challenging time for both adolescents and their parents. These challenges can be more difficult when the adolescent has a disability.
Illinois LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) and the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) partnered to provide helpful information about the unique challenges Hispanic families can face during the transition to adulthood. This resource list is aimed at transition-age teenagers and their families in the Chicago area:
National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG)
The National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for anyone who supports them. NACG resources include:
- Free GriefTalk Live events
- Webinars and continuing education
- Peer networking
DSCC’s Emergency Plan Template
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) developed this emergency plan template to help our participant families create an emergency plan to keep them safe and prepared in the event of a disaster or other emergencies.
Sections include emergency contacts, emergency prep tips, evacuation plans and plans for medical emergencies.
DSCC’s Paying for College Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families learn more about available resources to help pay for college. The tip sheet includes details about possible funding sources and scholarship opportunities:
Illinois Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
The Illinois Emergency Rental Assistance Programs webpage provides updated information about COVID-19 emergency rental assistance programs throughout Illinois. Information is available in multiple languages and includes:
- Programs that are currently open
- Type of assistance provided
- Eligibility requirements
- Where to apply
- How to apply and the documentation needed
Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation – Ollie’s Branch
The Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation (OHHF) offers a variety of information, resources and mental health support for families caring for children with pediatric heart conditions and heart disease. OHHF resources include:
- Free mental health services through Ollie’s Branch. All sessions are completely free regardless of insurance status.
- Financial support for families whose heart warrior is currently inpatient or has been admitted within three months of the request. OHHF Community Outreach requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and can help with housing, utilities, transportation, medical bills, and more.
OHHF’s mental health access program is open to heart-warrior families anywhere in Illinois. Financial support requests may come from anywhere in the United States.
Accessible Chef is a collection of free visual recipes and other resources to help teach cooking skills to individuals with disabilities at home or in a special education classroom.