Resource Directory /

Rockford Resources

  • U.S. Department of Education “Return to School Roadmap” for 2022-23 School Year

    The U.S. Department of Education has released the “Return to School Roadmap,” a resource to support students, schools, educators, and communities as they prepare to return to safe, healthy in-person learning this fall and emerge from the pandemic stronger than before.

    The Roadmap provides key resources and supports for students, parents, educators, and school communities to build excitement around returning to classrooms this school year and outlines how federal funding can support the safe and sustained return to in-person learning.  It includes:

    • A fact sheet for schools, families, and communities on the Return to School Roadmap
    • A checklist that parents can use to prepare themselves and their children for a safe return to in-person learning this fall, leading with vaccinating eligible children and masking up if students are not yet vaccinated.

    The Education Department also has two publications focusing on strategies and practices important for schools to use to regarding COVID and reopening safely.

    Volume 1 provides families, schools and the community key health and safety measures for reopening schools. Volume 1 highlights factors that need to be addressed for specific groups of students, including students with disabilities, one of the groups hardest hit by the impact of COVID-19.

    Volume 2 provides more specific practices for meeting the basic and other critical needs of students.

  • Early Intervention Clearinghouse Technology Loan Program

    The Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse (EIC) technology loan program helps families in early intervention participate in live video visits or telehealth. Available technology includes:

    • iPad with a data plan (you are requesting a device for live video visits that also has an internet plan)
    • iPad without a data plan (you are requesting a device for live video visits and already have internet access)
    • Hotspot (you have a device for live video visits but require internet access)

    Quantities are limited. To apply to receive the technology, please complete a device loan request form. (The device loan request form is also available in Spanish.)

    The EIC also provides tips on preparing for a live video visit.

  • American Rescue Plan Expanded Child Tax Credit

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has information for families on the American Rescue Plan expanded Child Tax Credit. With recent changes, families can qualify for more money and can receive payments monthly instead of having to wait until the end of the year. Payments will automatically arrive starting on July 15 for most families. Some families may need to take action to receive the benefit.

    AAP offers a flyer in English and Spanish that explains:

    • The credit
    • Who is eligible
    • The next step that parents may need to take

    Click here for the flyer in English.  Click here for the Spanish version.

  • Illinois Spina Bifida Association Vision Referral Program

    The Illinois Spina Bifida Association (ISBA) offers a vision referral program in partnership with the Illinois Eye Institute (IEI), which provides specialized services for pediatric patients and people with developmental disabilities.

    If anyone in your family needs vision care, ISBA can help you set up an appointment at IEI in Chicago or refer you to other statewide providers offering affordable care regardless of insurance or financial status.

  • Oracle Health Pediatric Grants

    Oracle Health Foundation’s pediatric grants connect children to needed care when finances stand in the way. Applications are accepted from the United States and through select international providers.

    The pediatric grants cover a wide variety of clinical, equipment, travel and lodging and vehicle modification costs related to children’s healthcare needs.

    Funding criteria include that the child must be 18 years of age or younger (individuals up to 21 with developmental disabilities may also be considered). You can find more details on the Oracle website on how to request a pediatric grant.

  • Hands & Voices Virtual Waiting Room

    Hands & Voices virtual waiting room provides resources and connections for families with children who have been referred to or are in the care of an audiologist and who are receiving those services through technology or “telehealth.”  Much of the information is also useful for families who are preparing for onsite visits.

    Hands & Voices virtual waiting room includes:

    • A video about the importance of next steps when your child is referred for more testing after a hearing screening
    • A guidebook for parents about audiology and telehealth
    • Information about tele-audiology options
    • Questions to ask your audiologist, understanding your child’s audiogram, help making decisions with communication and more
    • Connections to family-to-family support from trained parent leaders
    • Explanations of help offered by a variety of professionals in addition to your child’s audiologist
    • Resources to promote health and well-being for you and your child
    • A link to email a Hands & Voices trained parent who can answer your questions and direct you to additional resources

  • Mental Health Resources for LGBTQI Individuals

    The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexed (LGBTQI) community represents a wide diversity of thought, perspective, understanding and experience. For individuals identifying as LGBTQI, it’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health.

    The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a variety of resources as well as important things to consider when seeking an LGBTQI-competent mental health care professional.

  • Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens

    HealthyChildren.org, the parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) teens information on understanding, supporting and remembering that each child is unique and will have their own experiences and feelings along the way.

    “Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens” provides help for parents and children navigating the many aspects of acceptance.