Family and Caregiving Support Resources
Get Covered Illinois – The Official Health Insurance Marketplace Resource
Get Covered Illinois is the health insurance Marketplace resource for the state of Illinois. Get Covered Illinois provides information about health insurance coverage provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Get Covered Illinois provides:
- Information and support to help Illinois residents understand insurance and the importance of health insurance coverage
- Access to health plans through Healthcare.gov
- Free enrollment help from Get Covered Illinois Navigators by phone or in person in multiple languages and in your community
Get Covered Illinois is a division of the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI).
GiGi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers
GiGi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers provide free, nationwide on-site and virtual educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. Programs are available for individuals of all ages focusing on speech and language, social skills, cooking and fitness.
GiGi’s Playhouse Illinois locations include:
- Chicago
- Deerfield
- Fox Valley
- Hoffman Estates
- McHenry County
- Quad Cities
- Rockford
- Tinley Park
For questions, visit GiGi’s Playhouse website, call (847) 885-6149 or email info@gigisplayhouse.org.
GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse offers opportunities to build relationships and community connections and access free programming and resources tailored for individuals with Down syndrome. The playhouse serves individuals with Down syndrome of all ages, expecting moms and dads, caregivers, siblings, parents, grandparents, doctors, educators, volunteers and more.
GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse provides a variety of programs focused on therapeutic needs, educational needs, career development and global acceptance. You can log in to the virtual playhouse to access on-demand programs for all ages, resources for supporting a loved one with Down syndrome and communities of other parents, self-advocates and volunteers.
For questions, visit the GiGi’s Playhouse website.
Give an Hour – Rare Caregivers
Give an Hour aims to create resilient communities of support for rare disease caregivers and families. Through one-on-one peer support, group support, professional training and research, Give an Hour strives to build a sustainable support system for rare caregivers.
Visit the Give an Hour Rare Caregivers website to find peer support, self-care tips, support groups and more.
Global Genes is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the burdens and challenges of rare diseases for patients and families globally. It aims to connect, empower and inspire the rare disease community.
The Global Genes website includes a RARE Portal, which is an online community for patients, caregivers and more to share resources and create discussion groups.
Granted helps “wishes” come true for children in southeast Illinois, southern Indiana and western Kentucky with terminal or life-threatening conditions. The non-profit aims to give children and their families respite from the physical, emotional and financial toll of a life-threatening illness. Granted’s wishes aim to to provide strength, hope, joy and a wonderful experience that the family can enjoy together and treasure among their memories.
Granted’s services also include events throughout the year, support groups and resource referrals for families in crisis. The organization serves a 100-mile radius of Evansville, Ind. See a map of Granted’s service area.
For questions, please contact Granted online.
Grupo SALTO (Sociedad de Autismo Latina Trabajando con Optimismo) aims to provide support in Spanish for Latino families who have children who are differently abled, with a focus on autism.
Grupo SALTO provides culturally and linguistically appropriate training, education and services.
There are many myths about guardianship that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families should understand.
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning has created this handout to help.
Guide for New Mental Health Caregivers
Mental Health America (MHA) has created an online guide to help new mental health caregivers navigate their role. The guide includes information about getting started after a diagnosis, challenging stigma, navigating red tape, understanding challenges during recovery, knowing the role of legal caregivers, taking care of yourself and more.
For questions, please visit Mental Health America’s website.
Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They are non-biased about communication methodologies and believe that families can make the best choices for their children if they have access to good information and support.
