Family and Caregiving Support Resources
Pain Care Rights is a patient advocacy organization that helps people with chronic pain and their caregivers navigate the healthcare system, document their symptoms and advocate for better treatment. It provides practical tools, resources and guidance to empower patients.
The Pain Care Rights’ State Information search tool provides information on state agencies, forms, deadlines and responsibilities. Resources also include tools and information to help you:
- Learn about health conditions
- Prepare for medical visits
- Document care barriers
- Review records
- Write clear questions, messages or requests to address concerns or get information
The Parent Guide to Autism from the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics offers a free seven-day email series that provides practical guidance on autism, early intervention and supporting your child. Available in English and Spanish, the emails cover topics such as what autism is, how to recognize early signs, steps in the diagnosis process and more.
Each Parent Guide to Autism email takes less than 10 minutes to read. Topics also include:
- How to access therapies and early intervention services
- Your child’s rights to school support if they have autism
- Real strategies for daily life
- Where to find resources and support in Illinois
Parent Institute Lectures for Families of Children With Hearing Loss
The Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing is a program for parents of young children who have a significant hearing loss. It takes place on the campus of the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville each June.
Participating parents attend daily lectures by experts in the field to learn about raising a child with hearing loss. Lecture topics include the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), advocacy, communication options, language, assistive listening devices, literacy and amplification.
UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC), a supporter of the Institute, has made these presentations available online so they can benefit more families of children with hearing loss. Visit the 2019 Parent Infant Institute Video Recordings page on the Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program website.
Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is a nonprofit organization providing training, individual assistance, information, and resources for raising a child of any age with any disability or special needs diagnosis.
Parents of Extraordinary Children
Parents of Extraordinary Children (PEXC) is a nonprofit that aims to inform, empower, support, and advocate for families of children and young adults with disabilities on the southeast side of Chicago.
With the help of volunteers and representatives from citywide organizations, PEXC hosts an annual resource fair and provides opportunities for Individualized Education Program (IEP) training, learning to navigate the special education process, understanding terminology, initiating the evaluation process, the transition to adulthood and more.
For more information, call (312) 600-5479 or email admin@pexc10thward.com.
PatientsLikeMe uses the power of community and digital platforms to improve the lived experience of patients managing complex health conditions. PatientsLikeMe offers people navigating a wide variety of health journeys a central hub for peer support, personalized health insights, tailored digital health services and patient-friendly clinical education.
PatientsLikeMe digital platforms cover five key areas where you can dive into discussions, ask questions and gain insights from others like you:
- Community – 70 communities that cover 2,800 conditions where you can make helpful connections and be part of a safe community
- My Health – An easy-to-navigate place for tracking symptoms, treatments, labs and vitals
- Conditions- Learn how to manage your condition better and share your experiences with others
- Treatments – Learn from others and find the treatment that is right for you
- PatientsLikeMe Community Voice Blog
For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the PatientsLikeMe Help Center.
Still have a question? Please fill out and submit the form on the PatientsLikeMe Contact Us page.
Pediatrician Guidance on Telehealth
Telehealth is a tool that can help connect your child to many different types of healthcare services using various types of technology, such as live, interactive audio and video and special diagnostic tools. Healthychildren.org provides tips for talking to your pediatrician and using telehealth effectively. The information is available in several languages.
People’s Resource Center (PRC) serves DuPage County residents. It offers a food pantry, computer access, financial assistance, an art program, a clothes closet and more. Residents need to register to receive services.
Download the PRC flyer for a list of locations, services and times for:
- The food pantry
- The clothes closet
- Empowerment services
- Social services
Peoria Friendship House/La Familia
The Peoria Friendship House offers wraparound services to empower families and meet changing community needs. Its services include a program supporting the Latino community, citizenship classes, a food pantry, health support services and youth programs. The Peoria Friendship House also provides:
- A parent mentor program
- S.T.E.A.M.S Academy for students focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math
- La Familia healing support across the lifespan
- A financial stability program
- Pantry on the Move to help reduce barriers to receiving food
For more information, call (309) 671-5200 or email ceo@friendship.house.
PFLAG is dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Its website includes support resources, links to local chapters and more.