Family and Caregiving Support Resources
The Illinois Center for Autism (ICA) is a nonprofit, community-based mental health treatment and educational agency serving people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ICA offers a variety of programs designed to support families and help individuals from age 3 through adulthood achieve their highest level of independence at home, school and in the community.
ICA provides education, advocacy, social skills, life skills, vocational training, and resources to children ages 3 to 22 in its Special Education Program, individuals 22 and older in its Adult Services Program, and their families in its Client Family Support Services Programs.
ICA provides services primarily in Madison, St. Clair, Bond, Clinton, Washington, Monroe, Fayette, Marion, and Macoupin. Other counties may also be included in the service area, depending on where students and families live.
For questions, please call ICA at (618) 398-7500 or email info@illinoiscenterforautism.org.
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social and political life of our diverse society. Its programs aim to empower the immigrant community and include healthcare access, access to public benefits, a family support network and hotline, education initiatives and more.
Visit the ICIRR website to learn more.
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Network (FSN)
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Network (FSN) connects immigrant communities throughout Illinois to a full range of support in collaboration with member organizations (Información en español). ICIRR resources include a legal services directory, workshops, trainings, tips sheets and more.
ICIRR Family Support Network provides a Family Support Hotline at (855) 435-7693. Its website also includes:
- A list of Illinois non-profit organizations offering free or low-cost help
- “Know Your Rights” tip sheets
- A directory of non-profit organizations offering immigration help to Illinois residents
Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission
The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC) is an executive state agency that promotes education and awareness of the legal requirements for effective communication on behalf of people with hearing loss in Illinois.
The commission also provides information about:
- Assistive technology
- Hearing aid assistance
- Service animal resources
- Interpreters and CART providers
- American Sign Language (ASL) videos and publications
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is responsible for providing healthcare coverage for adults and children who qualify for Medicaid. Its programs include All Kids, Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities, Managed Care and more.
Illinois Department of Human Services
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) provides services and programs to help Illinois residents become economically independent and self-sufficient, including food, financial assistance, mental health, child care, shelter/housing and more. Its divisions include:
- Developmental Disabilities
- Early Childhood
- Family and Community Services
- Mental Health
- Rehabilitation Services
- Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)
Illinois Department of Human Services Find Food Website
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Find Food website offers a list of advocacy, education, and social support services, as well as links to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Illinois. IDHS Find Food resources include:
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
- Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) Lobby Resources
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
You can contact the IDHS Helpline at:
- 1 (800) 843-6154
- 1(866) 324-5553 TTY
Illinois Department on Aging’s Provider Profile Search
The Illinois Department on Aging’s (IDoA) Provider Profile Search provides help with finding IDoA services and providers throughout Illinois. Services are listed by county and include local contacts for the Area Agency on Aging, in-home services, care coordination and more.
For more information, contact:
- The Senior Helpline at (800) 252-8966/ TTY (800) 206-1327
- aging.ilsenior@illinois.gov
Illinois Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) Services
Illinois’ Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) Services system offers services including day services, home-based services, Early Intervention services, disability determination services and other supports.
Visit the Developmental Disability Services page for more information. You can also contact:
- (888) 337-5267
- (866) 376-8446 (TTY)
- DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov
Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative
Dual diagnosis refers to experiencing an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) along with a mental health condition. The Illinois Training Initiative to Support People with Dual-Diagnosis or Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative is a project to identify state priorities in existing services for people with dual diagnosis, develop training to promote collaboration between the IDD and mental health systems, and examine needed changes to policies and practices to promote access to services.
Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative’s website offers:
- Information on what dual diagnosis is and assessment tools
- Services available in Illinois
- Information covering the different models of care
- Personal stories of dual diagnosis
- A variety of webinars covering topics for self-advocates, professionals and caregivers