COVID-19 Resources
Prairie State Legal Services is an organization that offers free legal services for low-income persons and those age 60 and over who have serious civil legal problems and need legal help to solve them.
There are 11 office locations serving 36 counties in northern Illinois. The resources page also provides references to self-help information.
Preparations for Caregivers During COVID-19 and Beyond
Parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity often focus solely on their child’s health and wellbeing. But what happens when the parent/caregiver gets sick?
It’s a crucial question that families must consider. Advance preparations can help parents/caregivers reduce stress, lighten their mental load and protect the child’s health and safety during a family illness and other emergencies.
Pediatric doctors from Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provide advice on how to start these conversations with your pediatrician during the pandemic and beyond.
Project Connect Pandemic Helpline for People With Disabilities
The Arc of California and the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare have partnered to offer Project Connect, a free telehealth support line for individuals with disabilities, their families, direct support professionals, and others who support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The Project Connect support line is staffed by graduate students in the School of Social Welfare and supervised by licensed social workers. The graduate students are able to offer a wide range of support services including counseling, wellness checks, depression screening and referral to community services.
Call the 24-hour support line at (888) 847-3209.
Protecting Renter and Homeowner Rights During Our National Health Crisis
The National Housing Law Project has put together a list of resources regarding renter and homeowner rights during the COVID-19 national public health crisis.
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.
Providing and Receiving Respite Care Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center provides these voluntary national guidelines for “Providing and Receiving Respite Care Safely during the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
The guidelines provided in this document are designed to assist providers as well as family caregivers with careful and thoughtful planning and implementation strategies to provide and receive respite care as safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PTSD During a Pandemic for Parents with Medically Fragile Children
It’s not uncommon for parents and caregivers of children with neurologic conditions to experience PTSD.
In this video from the Child Neurology Foundation, a caregiver and a psychologist discuss the impact that this has – especially during times of isolation and stress like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Questions and Answers About COVID-19 Vaccines
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides answers to some of the most common questions people are asking about COVID-19 and vaccines.
Rare Caregiver Respite Program
The National Organization for Rare Disorders’ (NORD) Respite Program is for caregivers (parents, spouses, family members, or significant others) of a child or adult diagnosed with a rare disorder. The program provides financial assistance to allow caregivers a break to attend a conference, an event, or have an afternoon or evening away from caregiving.
The Respite Program awards are granted to eligible individuals on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no fee to apply.
For more information about this program, contact NORD at (203) 616-4328 or email CaregiverRespite@rarediseases.org.
Rattle the Stars Suicide Prevention Services and Training
Rattle the Stars provides community-based suicide prevention services, information and training to the Champaign County area, including:
- Suicide prevention consultations
- Suicide intervention training
- Private training for groups and assistance developing a comprehensive suicide response plan
- Student-led school suicide prevention chapters
- Comfort dog support
- Speaking engagements and workshops
All Rattle the Stars services are free. Visit their website for program information and additional resources.