Resource Directory /

Family Support Resources

  • Prairie State Legal Services

    Prairie State Legal Services is an organization that offers free legal services for low-income persons and those age 60 and over who have serious civil legal problems and need legal help to solve them.

    There are 11 office locations serving 36 counties in northern Illinois. The resources page also provides references to self-help information.

  • Project Fire Buddies

    Project Fire Buddies is a nonprofit group of Chicago-area firefighters and first responders who find ways to support and spread joy to children with serious illnesses and their families.
     
    The project volunteers organize toy drives, bring Haloween candy to children who are too sick to trick-or-treat and invite kids to local firehouses. Volunteers also visit with their fire buddies at home to play games, read books, bring gifts for special occasions and more.
     
    Project Fire Buddies started with the Oak Forest Fire Department but has grown to include more than 20 departments.

  • Project LEAP – Launching Equity in Access to Preschool

    Equip for Equality’s Project LEAP (Launching Equity in Access to Preschool) helps children with disabilities from birth to 6 get Early Intervention and early childhood special education services so that they’re ready to succeed in school. Project LEAP can help your child:

    • Move from Early Intervention to early childhood education
    • Receive the tests needed for special education services
    • Access behavior supports and assistive technology

    Project LEAP can also go to your child’s Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings, mediation and due process hearings in select cases.

    For more information or to schedule a time to talk, please contact Equip for Equality at EFEProjectLEAP@equipforequality.org or call the Equip for Equality Special Education hotline at 1-866-KIDS-046 or (866) 543-7046.  You can also complete an online intake form at www.equipforequality.org/get-legal-help-from-efe/.

  • Project SUN in Kankakee County

    Project Strong and Unified Network (Project SUN) is a family-driven, youth-guided and community-based system of care in Kankakee County. Project SUN provides resources, training and community education about children’s behavioral health and other child and family wellness topics. Its services include:

    • Helping families navigate their children’s mental, emotional and behavioral health systems of care through trained staff and volunteer Community Navigators
    • Supporting families on their journey by training peer parent mentors and companions and offering appreciation events for caregivers
    • Assisting parents and youth to gain the skills necessary to actively participate in their care planning and delivery
    • Offering professional development training for mental, emotional and behavioral health service providers
    • Providing community education with a focus on children and their families

  • Project Sweet Peas

    Project Sweet Peas is a national non-profit organization providing support to families and caregivers of premature or sick infants and families impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. Programs include neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care packages, remembrance memory boxes, peer-to-peer support groups and NICU family financial aid, hospital events, remembrance vigils and educational materials.

    Project Sweet Peas also offers:

  • Protected Tomorrows

    Protected Tomorrows is an advocacy and financial advisory organization supporting families of individuals with special needs and disabilities. The organization provides compassionate guidance to help individuals and caregivers navigate government benefits, legal considerations, future care planning and financial strategies for a more fulfilling future for everyone. Protected Tomorrows’ resources include:

    • Monthly Protected Tomorrows Parent University online classes
    • Step-by-step, comprehensive planning tools
    • Individual and family services
    • A Resource Hub with information, articles and videos

    For questions, please contact Protected Tomorrows using the online contact form.

  • Puentes de Esperanza (Bridges of Hope)

    Hoyleton Youth & Family Services‘ Puentes de Esperanza (Bridges of Hope) serves Spanish-speaking families in Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair counties. Puentes de Esperanza connects Hispanic families to community resources, including interpretation and translation, finding employment, immigration and citizenship information and other resources.

    Puentes de Esperanza also:

  • RAMP Disability Resources and Services – Center for Independent Living (CIL)

    RAMP (RAMP-CIL) is a non-profit, non-residential Center for Independent Living (CIL). It welcomes anyone with a disability, regardless of the type of disability, age, or economic status. The organization serves Boone, DeKalb, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. RAMP-CIL services for youth and adults include:
    • Information and referral
    • Youth education and advocacy
    • Portable ramp loans
    • Independent living skills training
    • Bus training and public transportation skills
    • Employment services
    • Fast Track Transition services for youth
    • Project SEARCH school-to-work program transition program

    For questions, please see RAMP’s website for specific contact information and office hours.

  • Rare Caregiver Respite Program

    The National Organization for Rare Disorders’ (NORD) Respite Program is for caregivers (parents, spouses, family members, or significant others) of a child or adult diagnosed with a rare disorder. The program provides financial assistance to allow caregivers a break to attend a conference, an event, or have an afternoon or evening away from caregiving.

    The Respite Program awards are granted to eligible individuals on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no fee to apply.

    For more information about this program, contact NORD at (203) 616-4328 or email CaregiverRespite@rarediseases.org.

  • Rare Sisters Batten Foundation

    The Rare Sisters Batten Foundation (RSBF) supports the development of medical research for treatments and cures for CLN3 Batten Disease and also provides monetary assistance to families with children diagnosed with Batten Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder.

    Families with children diagnosed with Batten Disease may apply with RSBF for financial help to cover a wide variety of needs. Funds are awarded on a case-by-case basis and contingent on the availability of funds.