Resource Directory /

Family Support Resources

  • Courageous Parents Network

    The Courageous Parents Network aims to empower, support and equip families and providers caring for children with serious illness.

  • Cradles to Crayons Chicago

    Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive — at home, at school and at play. The organization provides these items, including children’s clothing, baby clothes, shoes, diapers, car seats, toys and books, free of charge.

  • Creative Healing for Youth in Pain

    Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP) is a nonprofit organization serving youth between the ages of 13 and 24 who are experiencing pain, feelings of isolation and loneliness. CHYP provides educational resources, peer connection and exposure to creative healing experiences to help bridge the gap between common healthcare barriers such as cost, geographic location and long wait times for appointments. Resources are available for both youth and their parents.

    CHYP resources include:

    • Information on the science of pain
    • Strategies for breaking the pain cycle
    • On-demand webinars for youth and parents
    • Monthly open Zoom meetings for youth (ages 13 to 24)
    • Small group and Zoom meetings for parents
    • Summer camp

  • Crisis Text Line

    The Crisis Text Line serves anyone in any type of crisis, 24-hours a day. Trained crisis counselors will respond and help you:

    • English, text HOME to 741741
    • Spanish, text HOLA to 741741 or text to 442-AYUDAME in WhatsApp

    If you are a caregiver, the Crisis Text Line and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) have teamed up to provide free, 24/7 support to help you navigate the stresses and demands of providing care. Caregivers needing mental health support can text TOUGH to 741741.

  • Dealing With Traumatic Events

    The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health provides frequently-asked questions, tips and resources for how to handle traumatic events.

    Information includes possible symptoms after experiencing a traumatic event and when to seek help from a trained professional.

  • DHS List of Community Service Agencies Serving Immigrants in Illinois

    The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) provides a statewide list of community service agencies serving immigrants. The list includes:

    • The agency name and contact information
    • Their geographic service areas
    • Citizenship, case management and other services provided
    • Languages available

  • Diaper Bank of Chicago

    The non-profit Diaper Bank of Chicago provides diapers in sizes newborn through large-sized Underjams, ensuring all kids that need protection are covered. It partners with other nonprofits and social service agencies to distribute diapers. The diaper bank only accepts requests for diapers through an agency partner or social service agency.

    The Diaper Bank of Chicago’s doula also offers parenting resources for agency partners on topics that include:

    • Breastfeeding
    • Bonding
    • Infant massage
    • Stress reduction techniques

  • Disability Resource Center in Joliet

    The Disability Resource Center provides advocacy, peer support groups, S.K.I.L.L.S. independent living classes, visual impairment services, seminars, workshops and more for people with disabilities in Will and Grundy counties.

    Programs also include:

    • Deaf and hard of hearing services
    • Information and referral (I&R) for accessible housing, where to buy assistive devices, how to secure a sign language interpreter and more
    • Assistive technology for children up to age 23
    • Personal assistance program and information

  • 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.

  • Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DGAGSL) and Metro-East/Southern Illinois Chapters

    The Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DGAGSL) serves, supports and celebrates the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. DGAGSL and its chapters provide educational programs, resources and events to help increase awareness and connect families with the help they need for every stage of their child’s life.

    These DGAGSL community groups provide support and coordinate events in southern Illinois and the greater St. Louis area: