Family and Caregiving Support Resources
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:
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- PatientsLikeMe Community Voice Blog
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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.
Physical Restraint, Time Out and Isolated Time Out (RTO) Bill of Rights
The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) RTO Parent Bill of Rights is a resource for parents and guardians to help understand their rights, the rights of students, how to file a complaint and other important information related to physical restraint, time out and isolated time out in schools.
More details and helpful documents about restraint, time out and isolated time out, including multiple translations of the RTO Parent Bill of Rights, are on ISBE’s website.
The PKU Organization of Illinois provides resources and support to teens, adults and families with PKU and 16 allied disorders.
Their website includes information about understanding and managing phenylketonuria (PKU), diet, local resources, events, what to expect at different life stages and a PKU binder toolkit.
For questions, please email the PKU Organization of Illinois at pkuillinois@gmail.com.
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Support International (PSI) provides a worldwide network of peer support, information, professional trainings and coordinators in all U.S. states. Its mission is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide. PSI has more than 400 local support volunteers who provide support, information, encouragement and connection with local providers and support groups.
PSI offers 50-plus free online support groups to connect with other parents, including groups for special needs and medically fragile parenting, birth trauma support, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) postpartum parents and more. PSI also moderates closed Facebook groups for moms and dads.
PSI also has a helpline for anyone to get basic information, support and resources. You can call or text daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time at:
- Call (800) 944-4773 for English and Spanish support
- Text in English to (800) 944-4773
- Text en Español to (971) 203-7773
Resources are available in English and Spanish.
Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) offers free legal services to people living in poverty, with disabilities, aged 60 and older across 36 counties in Northern and Central Illinois. PSLS provides legal help to protect survivors of domestic violence and help people facing issues impacting financial stability and serious housing issues.
See the PSLS General Services brochure for more details:
PSLS has 11 offices that serve 36 counties in northern Illinois. The resources page also provides references to self-help information. Visit PSLS’ website for more information, office hours and locations.
Pre-Teen and Teen Mental Health Guide for Parents
The Pre-Teen and Teen Mental Health Guide for Parents from the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics helps caregivers learn about pre-teen and teen worries, behaviors and signs to watch for, so parents can provide help when needed. This free six-day email series in English and Spanish provides guidance and insight into your pre-teen or teen’s mental health, including dealing with anxiety, screen time and building resilience.
The guide provides one short message each day and includes conversation starters you can try with your pre-teen/teen. Topics include:
- How your pre-teen/teen’s brain is developing
- The difference between normal mood swings and real red flags
- How to navigate social media and screen time without constant battles
- When to worry versus when to wait – and when to call for support
- How to talk about relationships, sex and emotional health
- Practical ways to build resilience that lasts a lifetime
