Resource Directory /

Education Resources

  • Illinois Community College Initiative

    The Illinois Community College Initiative provides academic and vocational training programs for eligible students with disabilities at in-state public community colleges and approved community colleges bordering the state. People with disabilities who are determined eligible for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) vocational rehabilitation program may complete community college coursework leading to an associate’s degree or to a degree, certificate, or other industry-recognized credential or certificate.

    DRS will help students with:

    • The cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies
    • Transportation costs
    • Other eligible costs

    To get started, contact your local DRS office using the locator tool or call (877) 581-3690. TTY and relay callers can dial 711.

  • 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

  • Illinois Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Handbooks for Parents, Educators and Students

    The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) and the Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Support Project’s Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Handbooks provide information and guidance on dyscalculia, dyslexia and related disorders for educational professionals, school leaders, families, guardians, and students. The handbooks aim to provide a better understanding of dyslexia and strengthen programs to meet the educational and social-emotional needs of children and adolescents who struggle to learn to read.

    The Dyscalculia Handbook helps educators, families and students better understand dyscalculia, a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers, calculations and mathematical reasoning.

    The Illinois Dyslexia Handbook outlines how to identify signs of dyslexia, describes evidence-based instructional practices that improve academic outcomes and highlights available resources and services to support students and those who work with them.

    You can use the handbook alone or with the Dyslexia Toolkit. The toolkit’s ever-evolving collection of resources includes laws, websites, videos  and podcasts for families and educators.

    Visit the Specific Learning Disability Support Project (SLD Supports) website for these resources and more.

  • Illinois Early Intervention

    Illinois’ Early Intervention Service System serves children between the ages of birth to 3 with disabilities or developmental delays to help them learn and grow. The program evaluates infants and toddlers to see if there is a delay in:

    • Movement
    • Learning
    • Dealing with others
    • Behavior and/or
    • Self-help skills

    If a child needs services, the program helps families write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to set goals and identify needs. Families, with the support of Early Intervention providers, help their infants and toddlers reach their goals.

    Use the DHS Office Locator to find an Early Intervention Child and Family Connections office in your local area. You can also call the Illinois Automated Helpline at (800) 323-4769

  • Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse

    The Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse is a lending library and information resource for families and professionals interested in or involved with the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Program. It also provides support groups in English and Spanish for families involved in the Illinois early intervention program on Facebook.

    The Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse offers:

  • Illinois Early Learning Project

    The Illinois Early Learning Project provides evidence-based, early care and education information for parents, caregivers and teachers of young children in the state of Illinois.

    The site provides a wide range of information on important topics involving early care and education, including:

  • Illinois Migrant Council

    The Illinois Migrant Council (IMC) is a community-based non-profit organization with the primary mission of promoting employment, education, health, housing, crisis intervention and other opportunities for migrant/seasonal farm workers, immigrants, refugees/asylum seekers and their families and other low-income rural communities in Illinois.

    The council’s services include:

    • Health education and family services for the whole family
    • Referrals for English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED (General Educational Development), scholarships, basic skills and computer literacy classes at local community centers, churches, non-profit organizations and community colleges that IMC offers
    • Referrals to Illinois agencies providing rental assistance services and housing foreclosure prevention counseling

    For more information, email info@illinoismigrant.org or call (815) 995-0300.

  • Illinois Nutrition Education Programs (INEP)

    INEPs are part of the University of Illinois Extension and provide nutrition education to individuals and families in communities around the state of Illinois. Through nutrition and cooking classes, interactive displays, and online resources, the program provides the skills necessary to help people prepare healthier meals, manage their food budgets effectively, and make healthy living a natural part of their daily lives. You can visit their website to find out if a program is offered in your county.

    For questions, please email extension@illinois.edu.

  • Illinois School-to-Work Transition Guide

    The Illinois School-to-Work Transition Guide is a comprehensive resource for transition-age students and their families as they plan for the transition from school to adult life. This user-friendly guide provides clear, up-to-date information about the transition process with a focus on the transition from school to work. The guide is designed to be a key resource for Illinois students, parents/guardians, teachers, school administrators, guidance and vocational rehabilitation counselors, and other school-based and adult services providers.

    The guide includes information specific to Illinois for the school-to-work (STW) transition, such as:

    • Key individuals and their roles and responsibilities
    • Important steps and stages in the STW transition process
    • Key terms and definitions
    • Legal aspects
    • Helpful guidelines and resources

    For questions, please the Illinois Center for Transition and Work at (217) 333-2202 or contact-ictw@illinois.edu.

  • Illinois Special Education Information for Parents/Guardians

    The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has developed guides and resources specifically for parents of students with disabilities to help them navigate the educational system and know how to best work with district and school personnel. Visit ISBE’s Special Education – Parents/Guardians page for more information.

    For questions, please visit ISBE’s Contact Us page for more details.