Family and Caregiving Support Resources

Homeless Prevention Program in Illinois

The Homeless Prevention Program in Illinois provides rental/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, approved case management and approved supportive services directly related to the prevention of homelessness to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness or are currently homeless. The program is designed to stabilize individuals and families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that individuals and families stay in shelters and assist individuals and families with securing affordable housing.

Contact a Homeless Prevention Provider from the list to receive services.

Hope Wins

Hope WINS (What I Need to Succeed) is a family-driven organization focused on educating and equipping families with the tools they need to create healthy relationships and nurturing environments where families can flourish. Programs include an around-the-clock parent support line, a family connection night, a parent support group, summer and pop-up camps, and resources for families in northwest Illinois.

• R.I.S.E. (Reflect, Inquire, Support, Empower) Parent Support Group
• R.I.S.E. Family Connection Events
• R.I.S.E. Parent-to-Parent Partners peer mentorship program for caregivers

The Hope WINS Support Line for parents and caregivers is open 24 hours a day for anyone in need of help through any crisis, big or small. Call or text (877) 221-HOPE (221-4673).

For questions, contact Hope WINS at hopewins20237@gmail.com or (815) 990-1907.

Housing Authority of Cook County

Housing Authority of Joliet

The Housing Authority of Joliet provides low-income individuals and families with access to affordable housing assistance and support services designed to maximize independence and promote self-sufficiency. The Housing Authority of Joliet’s website includes information about each program, application requirements and information for tenants and landlords.

Its website also offers information on service agencies that can help people facing challenges, including emergency housing, employment and job training, legal assistance, mental health, mobility assistance, parenting skills, substance abuse and more.

For questions, please contact the Housing Authority of Joliet at (815) 727-0611 or  (800) 545-1833, ext. 878 (relay service).

Housing Forward

Housing Forward aims to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to housing crises when they do occur and stabilize people with supportive services and housing. It offers a full range of programs and services that include:

• Emergency financial assistance
• Emergency shelter
• Interim and transitional housing
• Respite services for a medical or behavioral health event
• Wraparound services, including employment, family support, community health nursing, behavioral health and legal clinic
• Rental support
• Permanent supportive housing
• Housing navigation services and more

Housing Forward serves 26 communities in west suburban Cook County: Bellwood, Berkeley, Berwyn, Broadview, Brookfield, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Forest View, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Hillside, Lyons, Maywood, Melrose Park, Norridge, North Riverside, Northlake, Oak Park, River Forest, River Grove, Riverside, Schiller Park, Stickney, Stone Park and Westchester.

For more information, call the Housing Forward Office at (708) 338-1724 or visit the Housing Forward About Us page.

Housing Opportunities for Women Inc. (HOW)

Housing Opportunities for Women Inc. (HOW) empowers individuals and families in the Chicagoland area to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. HOW aims to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with housing as quickly as possible along with individualized support services to help them build success and self-sufficiency. Its services and programs include:

• Permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities
• Employment and life skills
• Children and youth after-school enrichment activities and Saturday teen programs
• Advocacy for individuals/families involved with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
• Housing and support for Families in Transition (FIT)

For questions or more information, please contact HOW at (773) 465-5770.

How to Fill Out DSCC Forms in Spanish

There are a number of forms that our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participants must fill out. We’ve created three instructional videos to help our Spanish-speaking families fill out some of our most commonly used forms. These videos provide step-by-step instructions:

• Solicitud del Programa de DSCC. (Filling out the DSCC Program Application)
• Reembolso de Costos (Filling out the Reimbursement Cost Log)
• Asistencia de Viaje (Filling out the Travel Cost Log)

How to Help Children Build Resilience in Uncertain Times

HealthyChildren.org’s How to Help Children Build Resilience in Uncertain Times provides information on the feelings many of us experience during uncertain times and how they provide a chance to model and teach lifelong resilience skills to children.

iCan Dream Center

The non-profit iCan Dream Center in Tinley Park connects youth with intellectual disabilities, autism and various learning difficulties in suburban Chicago to holistic, innovative special education services. The center offers a welcoming education setting where neurodiverse youth have access to the skills, resources and opportunities necessary to thrive beyond their labels. iCan Dream Center programs include:

• Training
• Transition to adulthood support
• After-school recreational therapeutic programming for youth
• Once a month, cost-free Saturday Experiences for young adults
• Counseling
• Parent support group and more

For questions, please contact the iCan Dream Center at info@icandreamcenter.com or (708) 798-4200.

Icing Smiles

Icing Smiles is a nonprofit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families affected by a child’s critical illness or an illness that requires frequent hospitalizations.