DSCC Fact Sheets Resources
The Illinois Department of Labor is launching Back to Business Illinois, a free, voluntary service that connects small businesses of 250 employees or less with consultants who will help them address workplace safety and health issues related to the coronavirus and create a plan to ensure a safe, healthy and productive environment for employees and visitors.
These one-hour confidential consultations take place virtually, via teleconference.
Back to School Toolkit 2023 from Mental Health America
Mental Health America’s Back-to-School Toolkit provides educational information and tips on tackling some of the most common online stressors for youth. Titled “Selfies, Social & Screens: Navigating Virtual Spaced for Youth,” the toolkit includes fact sheets for youth and adults, and a guide to national and local resources.
Back-to-School Guide for Families with Complex Healthcare Needs
The Child Neurology Foundation has curated a resource page to help families with complex healthcare needs navigate the school year.
Topics include:
- Tips and Strategies for a Smooth School Year
- Mental Health and School
- IEP and 504 Resources
- Medicaid Expansion in Schools
BACKBONES – Connecting People With Spinal Cord Injury
BACKBONES connects people with spinal cord injury and their families to others with similar backgrounds, injuries and interests. BACKBONES provides inspirational stories and programs that include events, a youth program for teenagers (ages 15 to 18), leader development and monthly online meetups for people in the spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) community looking to connect with their peers.
The “Be Ready: Tips for Families of Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN)” toolkit provides videos and infographics in American Sign Language (ASL) and a variety of languages to help families prepare for power outages, floods or other natural disasters that may occur.
The toolkit is available through the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation & Improvement Center (EIIC).
Click here for the ASL version.
BEACON for Illinois Youth and Families Seeking Behavioral Health Services
BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) is a centralized resource for Illinois youth and families seeking services for behavioral health needs. It streamlines the process of finding and accessing behavioral health services to help ensure that every child in Illinois can receive the support they need.
BEACON is available to families, state agency staff and healthcare providers across Illinois:
- Families can use BEACON to find services, get help navigating complicated systems and connect with state programs.
- State agency staff can use the public portal to coordinate care across programs.
To learn more about BEACON, you can:
- Download the BEACON flyer in several languages and find training materials on the Illinois Department of Human Services website.
- Read the BEACON frequently asked questions for more information.
- Watch the instructional video on how to use BEACON.
Beautiful Lives Project
Beautiful Lives Project gives people with disabilities the opportunity to actively participate in activities and events that may not have been available to them previously due to physical or facility limitations.
The project creates immersive events aimed at defeating isolation within the disabled community and sparking deeper conversations about the value of integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce. The organization works with companies, sports teams and community organizations to host free community events for individuals with disabilities of all ages throughout Illinois and beyond.
These events aim to help to defeat isolation today, break down social biases tomorrow and generate long-term actions that will create a better quality of life for people with disabilities and special needs in the future. Each unique event provides the opportunity to experience sports, performing arts, visual arts, nature or wellness in an inclusive environment.
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
The Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.
The services locator is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Benefits.gov is an online resource to help you find federal benefits you may be eligible for in the United States. The Benefit Finder questionnaire can help you find benefits you may be eligible to receive – such as healthcare and medical assistance, financial assistance, loans and disaster relief – and direct you to the agency to apply.
Best Buddies in Illinois offers one-to-one friendship, integrated employment and leadership development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Best Buddies offers chapters throughout Illinois. Programs and opportunities include:
- Best Buddies Friendship program, which offers social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion
- Best Buddies Jobs program, which helps secure jobs for people with IDD.
- Best Buddies Leadership Development programs, which educate and empower people with IDD to be leaders, public speakers and advocates
For contact information, visit the Best Buddies in Illinois staff directory page.