Springfield Resources
Protecting Youth Mental Health – U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory
The U.S. Surgeon General has released a report that highlights the critical state of youth mental health and the impact of COVID-19. It includes suggested actions and resources for family members and caregivers as well as young people, educators, community organizations and government agencies.
The Child Neurology Foundation provides a telehealth tip sheet to help families and children prepare for video or phone appointments and make them as comfortable and successful as possible.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program(ACP) is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. Eligible households can receive:
- Up to $30 per month discount for internet service, including associated equipment rentals such as a modem
- Up to $75 per month discount for households on qualifying tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. The FCC provides a list of frequently asked questions and enrollment information for families.
Rare Sisters Batten Foundation
The Rare Sisters Batten Foundation (RSBF) supports the development of medical research for treatments and cures for CLN3 Batten Disease and also provides monetary assistance to families with children diagnosed with Batten Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder.
Families with children diagnosed with Batten Disease may apply with RSBF for financial help to cover a wide variety of needs. Funds are awarded on a case-by-case basis and contingent on the availability of funds.
COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the United States, including the uninsured. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides an online tool for finding health centers and pharmacies offering low or no-cost testing in your state.
Check your local health department and local news for additional testing sites in your area.
Insurance Reimbursement for At-Home COVID Tests
Your health insurance company will pay you back for eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month for each person on the plan. Learn more about insurance reimbursement for at-home tests.
UPDATE: As of March 9, 2024, the free COVID-19 Test Program is suspended and no longer taking orders.
Every home in the United States is eligible to order another round of free at-home tests through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) at https://special.usps.com/testkits. You can learn more at www.covid.gov/tests.
- There is a limit of one order per residential address.
- Your order of four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests will be shipped free.
- If an order has not been placed for your address since the program reopened on September 25, 2023, you can place two orders that will be shipped free.
Individuals who are blind or have low vision can learn about ordering more accessible at-home COVID-19 tests here.
For those who cannot access the internet or need help placing an order, please call (800) 232-0233 or the TTY line at (888) 720-7489.
If you have COVID-19 tests at home, you can see the full list of extended expiration dates on the Federal food and Drug Administration’s website.
Smart911 allows individuals to provide critical details about themselves and family members so that in emergencies 911 call takers have the information they need to quickly assess and address special concerns or safety needs.
Smart911 is a free, private and secure nationwide service that automatically delivers your safety profile to local law enforcement, medical and fire responders and public safety agencies that have installed the Smart911 technology. To determine if Smart911 is available in your city or town, visit the SMART911 website, scroll to the bottom and click “Find Services in Your Area.”
The Illinois Department of Public Health Vax Verify portal (also known as the Illinois Resident Immunization portal) provides access to your official immunization records.
You must be 18 years old or older to create a Vax Verify account or have legal guardianship of a minor to add them to your account.
DSCC’s Vehicle Modification Tip Sheet for MFTD Waiver Families
Vehicle modifications are an available service through the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Children (commonly called the MFTD waiver). This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) includes information on the type of vehicle modifications that may be covered and the steps involved in the process.