Resource Directory /

Family and Caregiving Support Resources

  • National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C)

    The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides a wide range of information, training and supports to build and strengthen services and instruction for secondary students and out-of-school youth with disabilities. Its website offers:

    • Training and technical assistance.
    • Easy-to-find transition topic areas. Each topic includes an additional list of key resources, related topics and training webinars.
    • Webinars and toolkits

    For any questions, contact NTACT:C online.

  • Needy Meds

    NeedyMeds is a national non-profit organization providing information on healthcare and medication programs designed to help people afford their medications and other healthcare costs. NeedyMeds can help with paying for prescriptions, finding a free clinic and understanding your healthcare options. All the information is free, easy to access and updated regularly.

    NeedMeds also offers:

    • A toll-free helpline at (800) 503-6897 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • A directory of affordable health clinics for medical, dental, behavioral health and substance abuse services
    • Assistance with finding a private or government-funded organization offering help with treatment costs associated with specific diagnoses
    • A Patient Assistance Program (PAP) providing free or discounted medicines to people who are unable to afford them
    • Information on coupons, savings cards, rebates and co-pays

  • Nemours KidsHealth

    Nemours KidsHealth provides doctor-reviewed articles, videos and health information on a wide range of topics for parents, kids, teens and educators in English and Spanish. KidsHealth offers information on growth and development, diseases and conditions, school and family life, visiting the doctor, medical procedures and more.

    Other resources and information include:

    • Tips for parents on understanding children’s health, behavior, and growth – from before birth through the teen years
    • A kids area where they can learn how the body works and more
    • A place for teens with topics such as body self-esteem, playing sports, knowing the signs of an abusive relationship and more
    • A section for educators with teaching tools to use in the classroom for all ages

  • NeuroJourney

    NeuroJourney is an educational resource for parents, caregivers and clinicians navigating the ever-evolving needs of children with severe neurological impairment (SNI).

    You can find both practical and medical information and insights from parents and clinicians about the social and emotional experiences common to having a child with SNI. Resources include a Caregiver Worksheet as well as guidance to help build the care team, prompts for conversations with specialists and more.

    For questions, please use the online form to contact the Courageous Family Network.

  • NORD: National Organization for Rare Disorders

    The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) offers support, information and a variety of events for clinicians, researchers, patients and families affected by rare diseases.

    NORD’s Resource Center provides patients and caregivers with free webinars, fact sheets, infographics, support and advocacy groups links, and referrals for rare disorders.

    NORD’s RareCare Program website provides a list of financial assistance programs that can help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford.

    NORD’s State Resource Center contains local, state and national organizations listed by state or by topic offering free or low-cost services for people impacted by rare diseases.

    NORD’s free, self-paced online course “From Records to Research: Making Sense of Health Data for Rare Diseases” provides help for understanding health data, research participation and how both contribute to improving treatments and care. The course is available:

  • Normal Moments

    Normal Moments supports Chicagoland families with critically ill/medically complex children up to age 17 by providing help with many household and outdoor tasks. The organization matches volunteers based on the families’ needs, volunteer location and interests. Support includes:

    • In-home help with necessary chores such as house cleaning, laundry, pet care and other errands
    • Outdoor services such as lawn maintenance and snow removal
    • Annual holiday programs

    Please note: Normal Moments volunteers may not provide care for dependents. A responsible adult over 18 must be in the house while a volunteer is present with children.

    For questions, please fill out the online form on the Normal Moments’ Contact Us page or call (630) 888-8111.

  • North West Housing Partnership (NWHP)

    North West Housing Partnership (NWHP) programs cover a broad area of the suburban northwest, west and Chicagoland area. It offers a variety of housing and handyman programs for seniors 60 years and older and people with disabilities, 18 or over, in need of simple repairs in the communities of:

    • Arlington Heights
    • Buffalo Grove
    • Mount Prospect
    • Palatine
    • Rolling Meadows
    • Des Plaines
    • All of Palatine and Wheeling Townships
    • Oak Park Township (including Oak Park and River Forest).

    NWHP also offers:

    For more information, visit the Contact Us page on NWHP’s website.

  • Northeast Community Fund in Decatur

    Northeast Community Fund helps families in the Decatur and Macon County community with food, clothing, household goods and funding for utility payments, obtaining IDs, baby formula and wipes, emergency lodging and prescription medicines. The organization’s food pantry provides monthly food baskets to those in need. It also operates a microfinance program and a program for families to work with a staff member and a mentor to achieve short- and long-term goals towards self-sufficiency.

  • Northern Illinois Foodbank

    The Northern Illinois Food Bank delivers food and healthy eating services across 13 counties (Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will and Winnebago counties). The Northern Illinois Food Bank provides weekly drive-thru Mobile Markets with free and fresh groceries, an online food pantry, a recipes and nutrition hub, and free economic mobility learning resources.

  • Northern Will County Special Recreation Association

    Northern Will County Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA) provides year-round, community-based recreational programs and inclusion services for children, teens and adults with special needs.

    NWCSRA collaborates with the Bolingbrook Park District, Lockport Township Park District, Plainfield Park District, the Village of Romeoville, Brookeridge Park District and Justice Park District to provide recreation opportunities and special events for area families.

    For more information, contact NWCSRA at (815) 407-1819.