Resource Directory /

Family Support Resources

  • The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center

    The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center works with families and professionals to help with questions and concerns related to the health of children and youth with special healthcare needs under the age of 22.

    The center focuses on sharing the most thorough, up-to-date resources regarding health insurance options, government benefits, youth transition concerns and more to help children thrive in their community.

    For more information, call (815) 464-1832, ext. 1017, or email familytofamily@thearcofil.org or mary@thearcofil.org.

  • The Arc of Illinois Financial Assistance for Training

    The Arc of Illinois, through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, administers the Financial Assistance for Training Program. The program provides funds for people with developmental disabilities and their family members to attend conferences of their choice that are directly related to developmental disability issues.

    Due to the pandemic, there is a need for training, important meetings and conferences to be virtual. This program will now allow stipends to pay for the assistive technology needed to attend virtual events.

  • The Autism Collective

    The Autism Collective is a collaboration of Easterseals Central Illinois and OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. The collective is working to end the isolation felt by those living with autism by uniting experts and connecting families.

    The collective coordinates early identification, diagnosis, therapy, services and support. Its care coordination services are available throughout Illinois (outside of Chicago).

  • The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Center at CTF Illinois

    The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Center at CTF Illinois provides services and support to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and their families. CTF Illinois family and community resource rooms are located in in both Charleston and Olney.

    TAP at CTF serves Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Clark, Moultrie, Douglas, Shelby, Clay, Richland, Crawford and Lawrence counties. Services include:

    • Family nights and new diagnosis family orientation
    • Play groups for children under 3
    • Social skills and monthly support groups
    • Food and nutrition-related consultations

  • The Center for Chronic Illness

    The Center for Chronic Illness (CCI) is a nonprofit organization offering support and education to promote well-being and decrease isolation for people affected by chronic illness. CCI offers adults and teens living with chronic illness a variety of support groups and programs focusing on emotional well-being, health education and community. ​CCI provides:

  • The Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation

    The Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation provides support and financial help to families in crisis due to pregnancy complications, premature birth/neonatal intensive care unit stay and loss. This financial assistance may help cover:

    • Childcare
    • Medical bills
    • Transportation costs
    • Rent/mortgage and utilities
    • Post-loss/funeral/burial expenses
    • Grief counseling (individual, couple and family)

    Visit the Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation website for more details.

  • The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois

    The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois serves as a central location to collect and store donated diapers. The Diaper Bank partners with local service agencies to distribute diapers to low-income children and their families.

    To request diapers, the Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois requires that the agency has an ongoing relationship with the client and has screened for need.  Agencies may contact diaperbanksi@gmail.com or call (618) 549-2148, ext. 110.

  • The Dream Factory

    The Dream Factory is a volunteer-driven children’s wish-granting organization. Volunteers raise funds in their communities to grant dreams to local children ages 3 through 18 who have a life-threatening illness or are critically and chronically ill. Dreams are granted through local chapters. Referrals can be made by:

    • A parent or legal guardian of an ill child
    • A treating physician of an ill child
    • The ill child

    In Illinois, contact the Dream Factory of Central Illinois at centralillinois@dreamfactoryinc.org. You can find other local chapters on the Dream Factory website.

  • The Journey Through Diagnosis: A Guide for Families of Children with a Genetic Condition

    The Family Forum of the Region 4 Midwest Genetics Collaborative wrote this guide to provide information and support to families whose child has been diagnosed with a genetic condition. It is written from the family perspective and includes information they felt was important when facing a new diagnosis. The material includes advice and tips to help guide families on their journey.

  • The Mighty’s Digital Toolkit for Caregivers

    The Mighty provides a digital toolkit to help caregivers learn more about the ins and outs of caregiving and discover helpful resources to utilize along their caregiving journey.

    The Mighty’s Digital Toolkit for Caregivers includes:

    • A caregiving binder, complete with worksheets to help you better organize important information
    • A respite care questionnaire to help you find the perfect respite worker for your specific needs
    • A self-care mini-guide to help you destress and prioritize your mental health

    Everything included in the toolkit is downloadable, printable and shareable.