Family Support Resources
The Ray Graham Association provides individuals with disabilities and their families in DuPage County and the surrounding area with recreational, residential, family support, employment and life skills services.
The Ray Graham Association website also includes links to advocacy and legislative resources. The association’s goal is to empower people to:
- Reach their potential by providing access to therapeutic programs, recreation and family support resources.
- Grow their future through neighborhood living, life-skills training and employment opportunities.
- Achieve their goals by pursuing personalized plans with measurable actions and results.
Red Café Parent Support Group
Parents share information and ideas to help take care of themselves, raise strong children, and build strong relationships with their kids with disabilities.
1st Thursday of each month
6:00pm – 7:00pmTo register, call (309) 686-1177 or email parentsupport@ci.easterseals.com.
Reeve Foundation Virtual Support Group for Individuals Living With Paralysis
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation offers virtual support groups to help individuals who are living with paralysis or caring for a family member who is living with paralysis. The support groups provide an opportunity for members to connect with others who understand what they are going through and to gain support, insight and guidance.
Group meetings are led by a mental health professional and a peer with lived experience and are conducted in an open forum/conversational format. Separate groups are held for individuals living with quadriplegia, those living with paraplegia and family members/caregivers.
This resource directory from the Illinois Early Learning Project provides contact information, descriptions of programs, state agencies, and non-profit organizations in Illinois that provide support for families of young children experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
The directory includes food resources, housing resources, clothing and diaper resources and more.
Resource Guide “When a Child Dies: Planning Acts of Love and Legacy”
The loss of a child is never easy. The Funeral Service Foundation’s free guide “When a Child Dies: Planning Acts of Love & Legacy” offers guidance, support and inspiration to families saying goodbye. Topics include:
- The funeral planning process
- Talking with children about death
- Ideas for planning a meaningful tribute
- Carrying forward and dealing with your grief
Resources on Racism, Racial Equity and Diversity for Families
The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development put together these resources about race, racism, diversity and inclusion that may support you, your children, your family and your community.
Resources to Help Children After a School Shooting
The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families provides a list of resources to help parents, caregivers and educators support children and youth after a school shooting.
Resources are available in both English and Spanish.
RespectAbility’s LGBTQ+ Resources for the Disability Community
The LGBTQ+ community and the disability community intersect in significant ways. RespectAbility works to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community. RespectAbility offers articles, books, and other resources on disability and LGBTQ+ issues.
Rockin’ the Spectrum is a non-profit helping families and their loved ones with autism and other developmental disabilities. The organization works to promote autism acceptance and inclusion for all ages, and provides a space where loved one can be themselves and families can learn together in a judgment-free environment.
Located in McHenry County, Rockin The Spectrum provides:
- The Clubhouse, an indoor sensory play area
- Support, resources and advocacy
- A day program for youth 18 and older
Rush Autism Resource Directory
The Autism Resource Directory is an online resource guide to help families find service and support referrals in the following counties: Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee.
For more information or if you have any questions about navigating the directory or finding a referral, please call (312) 563-2272.