Family and Caregiving Support Resources
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.
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 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.
Identifying Alternatives to Guardianship
The Transition Services Liaison Project (TSLP) South Dakota aims to help students with disabilities reach their maximum potential in their transition from high school to the adult world.
The project’s Alternatives to Guardianship Stoplight Tool can help with identifying a person’s ability to make decisions and manage key areas of life. It is intended to help with exploring alternatives and less restrictive options to general or full guardianship.
Understood.org gives parents step-by-step instructions for how to create an individualized education program (IEP) binder that sorts their child’s evaluation reports, IEP, report cards and other paperwork. The site includes an IEP binder checklist, school contact sheet, parent-school communication log and IEP goal tracker that parents can download and print.
igrow supports pregnant people and parents with young children ages birth to 5 who live in communities that face greater risks and barriers to achieving positive maternal and child health outcomes.
igrow home visiting provides family support and coaching to young parents who may be inexperienced and often do not have family support. Trained professionals are matched with families based on each family’s needs. To find a home visiting program in a specific community, use igrow’s interactive map to see the listing of specific communities that offer coordinated intake for home visiting services
If you need help finding a home visiting program, email dhs.homevisiting@illinois.gov.
Illinois Assistive Technology Program
The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) provides expertise in assistive technology and accessible information technology to all Illinois residents of all ages with disabilities and/or health conditions including family members, friends and caregivers.
IATP provides assistive technology demonstrations and allows people to see, try and borrow devices before making a purchasing decision. IATP also allows people to donate or obtain gently used assistive technology devices.
IATP also offers classes and help in finding the right AT devices for your needs:
- Tech Kitchen offers cooking classes in a home-style kitchen showcasing accessibility and adapted tools. Classes are for individuals 14 and up with any disability.
- Smart Home Technology features a five-room interactive Smart Home display highlighting home automation. Experts in assistive technology can discuss your needs and help you compare different AT devices. This program focuses on serving individuals receiving services from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS-DRS).
- IATP Makers provides custom AT devices and open-source 3D printer files for Illinois residents.
For questions, visit the contact page on IATP’s website.
Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics
Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (IAFCC) fosters partnerships aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for low-income individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. IAFCC provides webinars, resources for patients, and a statewide directory of free and charitable clinics.
For questions or more information, please call IAFCC at (630) 755-1215.
Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition
The Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition provides resources for consumers, providers, clinicians, employers and educators on issues related to medical insurance coverage for behavioral health services for autism, developmental disabilities and mental health conditions in Illinois.
Coalition resources include:
- An interactive map and listing of providers
- Medicaid access and informational videos
- Help with navigating insurance benefits and coverage
- Information on financial support for co-pays
For more information, contact the Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition at (614) 565-5765 or help@ilasd.com.
Illinois Cares for Kids provides parents, caregivers, teachers, and childcare providers a place to find information on statewide programs related to early learning and development, child care and family well-being in English and Spanish. The website includes information about:
- Child development and education for kids of all ages
- Healthcare coverage and emotional well-being
- Home visiting programs
- Child care subsidy programs
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Bright Start 529 college savings plan