Resource Directory /

Family and Caregiving Support Resources

  • Illinois Early Learning Project

    The Illinois Early Learning Project provides evidence-based, early care and education information for parents, caregivers and teachers of young children in the state of Illinois.

    The site provides a wide range of information on important topics involving early care and education, including:

  • Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources

    Streator Unlimited Inc.’s Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources provides services to anyone of any age with epilepsy or a seizure disorder who resides in its service area of central and northwest Illinois. Its services include:

    • Peer support and support groups
    • Caregiver support
    • Help to navigate insurance and benefits
    • Medical service support
    • Access to counseling
    • Vocational support
    • Help to coordinate transportation

    For more details, email epilepsy@streatorunlimited.org or call (815) 673-5574.

  • Illinois Financial Wellness Hub

    The Illinois Financial Wellness Hub (FinWell Hub) provides free resources to help all Illinois residents plan a better financial future. The site offers a wide variety of tools and courses to help you create a learning experience tailored to your needs.

    Topics include:

    • Saving for an emergency
    • Retirement planning
    • Planning for a child’s education
    • Managing debt
    • Buying a home
    • Estate planning
    • Social Security
    • Investing and more

  • Illinois Guide By Your Side

    Illinois Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side (GBYS) is a free program providing unbiased information, one-on-one support and resources and trained Parent Guides to talk and/or meet with you if you have a child with hearing loss or a suspected hearing loss.

    Parent Guides are adults who have children with a hearing loss. They provide unbiased information and resources regarding communication, educational and technological choices. They help families identify their options and not tell them which options  to choose. They support families and can help them navigate through the many systems and services available in Illinois. They work as a team with professionals offering a well rounded care system for families.

  • Illinois Hands & Voicessun-icon

    Illinois Hands & Voices is a parent-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. It offers a wide range of resources, including educational options and how to access them, parent guides, family networking and learning opportunities, and more.

    For questions, please contact Illinois Hands & Voices at executivedirector@ilhandsandvoices.com, or (630) 697-3544.

  • Illinois Legal Aid Online

    Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) provides plain-language, 24/7 tools in three languages so families can understand and assert their legal rights. ILAO helps people who are unable to find or afford attorneys open opportunities for justice. Its resources can help with crises such as eviction, debt, food insecurity, domestic abuse, deportation and divorce.

    The ILAO also provides resources to help with guardianship, education, health and benefits and more.

  • Illinois Life Span Program

    The Illinois Life Span (ILS) Program is a program of The Arc of Illinois that provides statewide resources and information, focused on developmental disability services and supports.

    Its website includes a resource locator that can help you find resources in your county and statewide.

    You can call ILS at (800) 588-7002.

  • Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

    The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is a statewide organization that partners with the state’s 16 local Child Care Resources and Referral (CCR&R) agencies. It is a recognized leader, catalyst and resource for making high-quality, affordable early care and education and school-age care options available for children and families in Illinois.

    CCR&R’s connect and coordinate programs and services for young children and their families. CCR&R’s manage the application and information for families to receive child care assistance, allowing them to work and/or go to school while their children have access to quality early care and education.

    Visit www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch to find your local CCR&R.

  • Illinois Nutrition Education Programs (INEP)

    INEPs are part of the University of Illinois Extension and provide nutrition education to individuals and families in communities around the state of Illinois. Through nutrition and cooking classes, interactive displays, and online resources, the program provides the skills necessary to help people prepare healthier meals, manage their food budgets effectively, and make healthy living a natural part of their daily lives. You can visit their website to find out if a program is offered in your county.

    For questions, please email extension@illinois.edu.

  • Illinois Respite Coalition

    The Illinois Respite Coalition (IRC) is a not-for-profit organization of caregivers and respite providers dedicated to supporting families and ensuring access to quality respite services for the residents of Illinois. The IRC assists caregivers by connecting them to resources in their area, providing training on respite topics and having funding available for emergency respite. The IRC helps caregivers of individuals across the lifespan with any disability.

    The Emergency Respite Care Program offers funding and resources to support caregivers who are not receiving any respite services and have an urgent need for respite care in the absence of any other funding source.  Emergency respite care may be for an unplanned or planned event for reasons including:

    • Caregiver illness (physical, mental or emotional)
    • Caregiver hospitalization or doctor appointments
    • Work-related situation or loss of employment
    • Reduction of stress level
    • Funeral or wake

    The website gives examples of qualifying circumstances and information on how to apply. For more information, contact: