Education Resources
Return to School for Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago put together the “Return to School for Youth with Special Healthcare Needs: Key Questions and Considerations for Families” document to help families decide how their child will participate in their education during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes questions to discuss with your child’s doctor and questions to discuss with your child’s school.
Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. The program is focused on getting students to “Seek Help Before Harm.”
Recognizing that not all students may feel safe talking to their parents, teachers, coaches or mentors, students can use a free app, text/phone, website (Safe2HelpIllinois.com) and other social media platforms to confidentially report school safety issues and seek help before harming themselves or others.
The Safe2Help website provides guidance, tips and multi-media materials for children, teens, parents and educators on topics including:
- The role and actions of a trusted adult
- Ways to get help
- Encouraging others
- Helping someone online
- Suicide prevention
School Board Meeting Toolkit for People With Disabilities
School boards make many decisions that affect students. These decisions can significantly affect students with disabilities and special healthcare needs. The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities provides a School Board Meeting Toolkit with resources and tips to help families advocate with and to school boards.
School Help for Homeless Children with Disabilities: Information for Parents
The National Center for Homeless Education at SERVE (Supporting the Eduction of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness) provides this information for families experiencing homelessness who have children with special needs.
This brief discusses common concerns and offers resources for additional assistance.
Offers three-year post-secondary educational programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Programs include general education for independence, culinary arts, and horticulture.
1805 15th Avenue
Union Grove, WI 53182-1597
(262) 878-5620
info@shepherdscollege.eduSpecial Education Assessment Tip Sheet and Resource List
Family members and early care and education providers are adults who notice when the children in their care may have disabilities or developmental delays and would benefit from special education services.
The Illinois Early Learning Project’s Special Education Assessment tip sheet series is a helpful tool for learning more about the steps in that process. The IEL also provides an Assessment for Special Education resource list.
Equip for Equality has a toll-free Special Education Helpline to help families get appropriate education services for their children. The Helpline can assist by providing:
- Someone to talk to about your questions and concerns
- Information sheets on frequently asked questions
- Sample letters and forms
- Referrals
- Other assistance as needed
Contact the Helpline at 1-866-KIDS-046 (1-866-543-7046) or specialed@equipforequality.org.
STAR NET Region VI is part of the Illinois STAR NET system and is supported through a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with Southwest Cooperative. STAR NET provides training, consultation and resources to the early childhood community.
The STAR NET system assists the State Board of Education in meeting local needs by providing services to professionals and parents of young children with special needs throughout Illinois.
STAR NET Region VI serves South Cook, Kane, Kendall, Kankakee, LaSalle, Will and Grundy counties.
STAR NET Region VI
6020 W. 151st Street
Oak Forest, Il 60452
Phone: (708) 342-5370
Fax: (708) 687-2247
email: starnet6vi@gmail.comIllinois STARNET provides a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who touch the lives of young children, ages birth through eight, with an emphasis on children with special needs. STARNET supports family-centered, researched, and effective practices in early childhood education and care.
Illinois STARNET provides a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who touch the lives of young children, ages birth through eight, with an emphasis on children with special needs. STARNET supports family-centered, researched, and effective practices in early childhood education and care.
STARNET
2626 S. Clearbrook Dr.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4626
Phone 224-366-8579
Fax 847-278-5434
Email: starnet@cps.edu