COVID-19 Resources
Diverse Learners Recovery Fund
The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund is a lottery-style grant program for Chicago families with children with disabilities offered through the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. The fund will provide one-time grants of $500 to up to 8,000 eligible K-12 students through a lottery. Families must submit an application and complete the verification process to participate. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30, 2024.
The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund program will select recipients through three lottery drawings on the following dates:
- July 1, 2024
- Sept. 16, 2024
- On or after Nov. 30, 2024
The program will notify selected applicants by email. Verified applications that are not chosen will be included in the next drawing.
Submitting an eligible application does not guarantee you will receive the funds.
Do You Know Your Rights With COVID-19?
The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities provides this tip sheet for individuals with disabilities to help them advocate for their rights when they are sick.
Dove, Inc. provides a variety of outreach programs, financial assistance and resources to residents in Macon, Shelby, Moultrie, Piatt and DeWitt counties.
Dove Financial Assistance (DFA) may be able to provide emergency help with water, power, eye prescriptions, dental needs and some prescription medications.
DFA also works with the Energy Assistance Fund to help people with their heating and cooling bills through the “Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends Program” in Macon, DeWitt and Piatt Counties.
- The National Dance Institute has a series of YouTube videos of their inclusive dance program called the DREAM Project (Dancers Realize Excellence through Arts and Movement). The project provides children with disabilities the opportunity to dance and perform. Each dancer is encouraged to achieve their best through teamwork, creativity, empathy and discovery.
DSCC Guidance on Home Medical Supplies
Adequate quantities of home medical supplies are essential to safely care for technology-dependent children at home during the COVID-19 crisis. Families should consider cleaning and re-using supplies when safely possible in case there’s a future shortage of critical items.
DuPage County Health Department
DuPage County Health Department COVID-19 Information for the DuPage County Community.
DuPage CRF Housing Assistance Program
The DuPage County Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) Housing Assistance program is not accepting requests at this time.
If you are a DuPage County resident experiencing a housing crisis please contact DuPage County Community Services at (630) 407-6500.
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.
Information, Updates
Electronic Portal for SSI Recipients
The IRS has an electronic portal to assist people on SSI and other non-filers in receiving their stimulus payments. Individuals can go to the portal, enter their personal information and that information will be utilized to send them a stimulus payment.