Family Support Resources
American Society for Deaf Children / Sociedad Americana para Niños Sordos
The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is a national, non-profit organization providing support, encouragement and information to families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
ASDC offers deaf mentors and online American Sign Language (ASL) classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. To help support language development, families and providers can also access ASL stories to watch and read together. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program
The American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program (PAP) is a privately funded financial assistance program that helps living donors cover lost wages during their recovery from surgery and helps transplant recipients maintain health insurance coverage and access to immunosuppressant medications. This program is available nationwide and is focused on the most financially vulnerable patients and their families.
Angel Flight Central (AFC) is a nonprofit organization that provides non-emergency flights to Midwest families who need access to specialized healthcare, camps for individuals with special needs, disaster response efforts or other compassionate reasons.
AFC coordinates flights for people in need in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana. It also collaborates with other charitable aviation organizations to support passengers who live outside of its 10-state region. Visit AFC’s Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Learn more about eligibility requirements and submit an Angel Flight Central Flight Request online.
For questions or more details, email request@angelflightcentral.org or call (866) 569-9464, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Arab American Action Network (AAAN)
The Arab American Action Network (AAAN) is a grassroots nonprofit on the southwest side of Chicago.The AAAN combines social services with organizing and advocacy to promote social change. AAAN services include:
- Children’s after-school program and summer camp
- Cultural outreach presentations for schools, faith institutions, corporations and other community organizations
- Family empowerment program offering biweekly citizenship classes, English classes and family literacy and parenting skills program
- Youth leadership program
Arab American Family Services (AAFS) provides assistance to over 30 communities in the south suburban Chicagoland area. AAFS is a non-political, non-religious organization that focuses on building respect and understanding between Arab-Americans and the mainstream-American culture. It also serves as a catalyst for social change by actively seeking to confront the myths and taboos that have kept some Arab Americans from obtaining the help they need.
AAFS assists Arab speakers in their native language and dialect and is also recognized by government agencies and other nonprofits as a local resource for cultural exchange and translation services. AAFS programs include case management, mental health assistance, immigration services, disability assistance and more.
The Ariana Rye Foundation helps children up to age 18 with developmental disabilities and complex medical medical needs get equipment to foster their social, mental and physical development. Families in need, from anywhere in the United States, can apply for help. Requests for equipment can include feeding or bath chairs, car seats, adaptive strollers, mats, wedges, specialty swings, sensory equipment and more.
The application, requirements for applying, and the annual application deadline are posted on its website.
Families can apply once per year. The one-time equipment grant provides up to $1000 per child.
Association for Individual Development (AID)
The Association for Individual Development (AID) serves individuals with developmental, intellectual, physical and/or mental health challenges, those who have suffered a trauma and those at risk. Operating in the greater Fox Valley area and other western suburban counties, AID provides services to address the unique needs of individuals throughout every stage of their lives.
Programs include:
- Autism programs
- Permanent supportive housing and in-home support
- Developmental and vocational training
- Job placement and on-the-job coaching service
- Crisis intervention and victim services
- Mental health treatment
AID is also a sponsor of the Ride in Kane paratransit program in partnership with RTA, Pace, Kane County, and local municipalities and social service agencies.
Association House of Chicago provides services promoting health and wellness, education and economic opportunity. Programs are provided in English and Spanish using a collaborative model that meets participants’ immediate needs while working toward long-term goals.
The Association House of Chicago focuses provides services in five key areas:
- Behavioral Health
- Child Welfare
- Community Health
- High School
- Workforce Development
Autism McLean Resource Directory
Autism McLean created an autism resource directory that is available electronically and as a booklet. The directory includes:
- Personal stories
- Local health, education and service providers
- Transportation contacts
- Camps and recreation opportunities
- State and national organizations
- Books, magazines and newsletters
Download the resource directory here. For a hard copy of the directory, please contact Chuck Hartseil at chuck.hartseil@comcast.net.
The Autism Response Team (ART) is an information line for the autism community. Its team members are specially trained to provide personalized information and resources to people with autism and their families.
(888) AUTISM2 (288-4762) – English
(888) 772-9050 – Spanish