Resource Directory /

Springfield Resources

  • Complex Care at Home for Children

    The Complex Care at Home for Children website aims to provide an educational resource for parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity. The site offers information and tools to help facilitate daily care, ensuring a safe environment for the child and family. Topics include:

    • Tracheostomy and other types of respiratory care
    • Peritoneal dialysis
    • Enterostomy care
    • Enteral nutrition
    • Parenteral nutrition
    • Intravenous antibiotic therapy
    • Intermittent bladder catheterization

  • Illinois Poison Center’s Caregivers Guide

    The Illinois Poison Center’s Caregivers Guide webpage offers practical advice on keeping children safe from potentially harmful substances. The guide provides general safety tips along with concrete steps for medicine safety, handbag/purse safety and plant safety. It also offers:

    You can also download a PDF of the guide:

    In case of emergency, call the Poison Center Helpline at (800) 222-1222. Calls are free and confidential.

  • Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)

    Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) provides research, resources and advocacy to improve the quality of life and health of people of all ages with food allergy. Food allergy can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. FARE supports food allergy research, education programs for people with and without food allergy, and awareness around healthcare options and treatment.

    FARE programs and services also include:

  • University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center Sensory Friendly Initiatives

    The UIS Performing Arts Center is a certified Sensory Inclusive Venue through KultureCity. Most sensory friendly shows are in the UIS Studio Theatre with limited lighting and sound changes. Audience members can also move, speak, sing along, and come and go as needed. Trained staff can also help guests with sensory needs. The UIS Performing Arts Center’s sensory-friendly initiatives also include sensory bags, weighted lap pads, quiet areas, social stories and more.

  • Junior Achievement USA and Illinois Chapters

    Junior Achievement USA (JA) helps young people own their economic success, plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices. The organization offers educational materials for schools and other organizations and hands-on learning experiences for students focusing on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. JA Connect also provides online self-guided activities to help students learn, apply and practice new skills. JA outreach in Illinois also includes:

  • John Wood Community College Services for Students With Disabilities

    John Wood Community College (JWCC) offers various support services to help students in Adams and Brown County succeed in the classroom. Students with disabilities can get help exploring career options, finding resources to pay for college, tutoring and more. Other programs include:

  • Do It for the Love

    Do It for the Love inspires hope and healing through music. The non-profit organization grants live concert wishes for people with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges and wounded veterans. You can apply for yourself or your child or nominate someone for a live music wish.

  • Cherished Creations

    Cherished Creations grants two types of “wishes” to help children who are seriously ill or have disabilities (up to 21 years old). “Dreams Wishes” provide help with trips, attending special events or buying gifts to better a child’s life within the lower 48 states. “Support Wishes” fulfill practical needs such as ramps, medical equipment not covered by insurance and other needs, especially for children who might not be able to live at home otherwise.

    You can find Cherished Creations eligibility rules and applications on its website.

  • Chive Charities

    Chive Charities is a non-profit providing grants to support underserved veterans, military families, first responders and people with rare medical diagnoses. Chive Charities shares grant recipients’ stories to educate, advocate and inspire others to help provide a weekly grant to individuals with life-altering or life-threatening needs.

    Chive Charities grant items must either improve quality of life or be medically-related and not fully covered by insurance. Past grants have included:

    • Therapy equipment, such as adaptive tricycles and robotic walkers
    • Service dogs
    • Wheelchair-accessible vans
    • Mobility items

  • Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative

    Dual diagnosis refers to experiencing an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) along with a mental health condition. The Illinois Training Initiative to Support People with Dual-Diagnosis or Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative is a project to identify state priorities in existing services for people with dual diagnosis, develop training to promote collaboration between the IDD and mental health systems, and examine needed changes to policies and practices to promote access to services.

    Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative’s website offers:

    • Information on what dual diagnosis is and assessment tools
    • Services available in Illinois
    • Information covering the different models of care
    • Personal stories of dual diagnosis
    • A variety of webinars covering topics for self-advocates, professionals and caregivers