Family and Caregiving Support Resources
Easterseals Support for Caregivers
Easterseals offers a variety of programs and resources to provide support and care for caregivers, including respite care, a step-by-step caregiving guide and more.
The Egyptian Public & Mental Health Department provides resources and support to Southern Illinois residents in Saline, Gallatin, White, and Wayne counties. The department provides public health and mental health services, prevention and recovery programs, education workshops, family case management services, food and water safety, and more.
The Egyptian Public & Mental Health Department has offices in Eldorado, Harrisburg (Saline County), Carmi (White County), and Shawneetown (Gallatin County).
eHomeCare Virtual Training Program for Caring for Children With Complex Medical Needs
The eHomeCare program is a free online training program that aims to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based information on the care of children requiring complex medical care at home. The program consists of eight distinct courses aimed at enhancing the knowledge, skills, and confidence of home care providers, including:
- Caring for children with a tracheostomy with or without a ventilator
- Central line care
- Dialysis in home
- Infection control
- Setting boundaries in the home
- Skin care
- Range of motion
- Daily care activities for children
The courses aim to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance caregivers’ confidence and competence in managing both routine and emergency situations. The training is for family members, caregivers, professionals and anyone interested in learning more.
If you have trouble enrolling in the course or need help, please email help@icep.wisc.edu.
El Valor is a non-profit, community-based organization serving children, people with disabilities and their families in the Chicagoland area. El Valor offers education programs focusing on early education, inclusion, employment and self-sufficiency for individuals of all ages with different abilities.
It also provides families a variety of enrichment opportunities including certification classes, first aid, parenting seminars and family support groups. Services are available in English and Spanish.
For questions, please contact El Valor at (312) 666-4511, TTY at (312) 666-3361 or info@elvalor.net.
Endeavor Health serves patients across Chicagoland and includes NorthShore University HealthSystem, Edward-Elmhurst Health, Northwest Community Healthcare and Swedish Hospital. Its community programs provide low-cost, accessible care options, including routine care, specialty services, wellness programs, support groups and more.
Endeavor Health community programs and clinics include:
- Community access to health centers, clinics and more
- Mobile dental clinics for residents of Elk Grove, Palatine, Schaumburg and Wheeling Townships who financially qualify
- The Community Resource Center (CRC) for individuals and immigrant families in the northwest suburbs needing multilingual services, referrals and other types of help
- Community CARE (Creating Access to Resources for Equity) programs addressing food insecurity, health education, mental health, support for survivors of violence and more
If you have any questions, please visit Endeavor Health’s Contact Us page online.
Envision Unlimited provides in-home respite to individuals with a diagnosed developmental disability.
It currently serves the following counties: Adams, Brown, Champaign, Cook, DeWitt, Fulton, Knox, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Mason, McLean, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Pike, Sangamon, Scott, and Tazewell. More details are at www.envisionunlimited.org/in-home_respite.
Envision Unlimited’s Community Living Program
Envision Unlimited’s Community Living Program provides a variety of residential living arrangements and supports to adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Services are individualized and person-centered. The intent is to assist each individual to live in the community in a setting most aligned with his/her preferences and those of his/ her guardian. In-home respite is prioritized for individuals who are not receiving any other funded service and who are on the PUNS wait list.
The Epilepsy Advocacy Network (EAN) seeks to optimize the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders by promoting community education and awareness, self-advocacy and empowerment, and helping all individuals gain proper access to care. EAN services and supports include:
- Case coordination (epilepsy)/assistance with education services
- Clinic visits
- Support groups
- Financial, transportation and medication resources
- Yearly camp for people ages 8 to 24 with epilepsy
- Seizure response training
It is an affiliate agency of the Epilepsy Alliance of America.
For questions, please contact EAN online or call (815) 846-0881.
Epilepsy Alliance America is a national organization providing support, care and service to those with epilepsy, their families, caregivers and communities. The organization’s services and supports include:
Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline
The Epilepsy Foundation’s Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline has trained information specialists to help answer your questions about epilepsy and seizures and provide you with help, hope, support, guidance and access to national and local resources. You can access the helpline in several ways:
- Online Help Form
- Phone (English): (800) 332-1000
- Phone (en español): (866) 748-8008
The helpline serves people living with epilepsy, caregivers and friends of someone with epilepsy and anyone who wants to learn more about epilepsy. It can provide information about current epilepsy treatment and alternative therapies, medication questions, support groups, seizure first aid, emotional support and more.