Family Support Resources
National Association for Down Syndrome
The National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) serves individuals with Down syndrome and their families. NADS’ website provides a variety of webinars, publications and resources for the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond.
NADS also offers a “Congratulations Basket and Referral Program.” Please note that the organization can only deliver baskets to specific Chicago-area hospitals.
National Center for Cultural Competence
Supports family participation and satisfaction and strives to increase the capacity of health and mental health programs.
National Center on Deaf-Blindness
The National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) is part of a network of projects for children and youth with deaf-blindness (birth through 21) providing information and learning and development tools for families and educators. NCDB resources include:
- An overview of deaf-blindness
- Practice guides and professional development
- Spanish resources
NCDB includes state deaf-blind projects in every state, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Pacific Basin and the Virgin Islands.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resources for Parents and Caregivers
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides a variety of resources for parents, caregivers and youth related to different types of childhood trauma, including coping with hard times, grief, hospitalizations and more.
Resources are available in English and Spanish.
The National Diaper Bank Network connects and supports the country’s more than 200 community-based diaper banks that collect, store and distribute free diapers to struggling families. The website includes a list of member diaper banks in Illinois.
The National Disability Institute (NDI) collaborates with organizations nationwide to empower people with disabilities and their families to make informed financial decisions and build a better future. NDI offers a wide variety of webinars, tip sheets, information and resources to help people with disabilities achieve employment, financial stability and independence.
NDI resources include:
- The Financial Resilience Center (FRC)
- Guides on funding and selecting accessible transportation
- Financial wellness worksheets and quick reference guides
- Live and on-demand webinars and training
If you have questions, please email info@ndi-inc.org or call (202) 296-2040.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.
Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education and referral services in over 200 languages.
Call (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or (800) 787-3224 (TTY). You can also text “START” to 88788 or chat live on The Hotline website.
National Down Syndrome Society
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) aims to empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities and shifting public perceptions.
Its resources include information on Down syndrome across the lifespan as well as in the areas of aging, caregiving, education, employment, health and more.
National Fatherhood Initiative
The National Fatherhood Initiative is a non-profit organization that aims to end father absence. They provide a variety of free resources for dads and organizations.
National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the United States. NFB helps create a wide range of opportunities for children and adults who are blind in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Programs and services cover a wide range of areas, including advocacy, education, Braille certification, parent support and resources, training, employment, technology and more.
A small sampling of NFB resources includes:
- Braille resources
- Free White Cane Program
- Free Slate and Stylus Program
- Scholarships and awards
- Career mentoring
For more information, contact NFB at (410) 659-9314 or nfb@nfb.org
There is also an Illinois chapter. Visit the National Federation of the Blind in Illinois website, call (312) 343-8396, or email president@nfbofillinois.org.