Family and Caregiving Support Resources
Resources to Help Children After a School Shooting
The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families provides a list of resources to help parents, caregivers and educators support children and youth after a school shooting.
Resources are available in both English and Spanish.
Rockin’ the Spectrum is a non-profit helping families and their loved ones with autism and other developmental disabilities. The organization works to promote autism acceptance and inclusion for all ages, and provides a space where loved one can be themselves and families can learn together in a judgment-free environment.
Located in McHenry County, Rockin The Spectrum provides:
- The Clubhouse, an indoor sensory play area
- Support, resources and advocacy
- A day program for youth 18 and older
For questions, please contact Rockin’ the Spectrum at (224) 538-9736 or rockinthespectrum@yahoo.com.
Rush Autism Resource Directory
The Autism Resource Directory is an online resource guide to help families find service and support referrals in the following counties: Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee.
For more information or if you have any questions about navigating the directory or finding a referral, please call (312) 563-2272.
Russian Resources for Families and Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Hands & Voices is a nationwide, parent-driven organization supporting families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology.
Hands & Voices working in partnership with the St. Petersburg Early Intervention Institute provides a Russian translation of materials aimed at improving services and child outcomes.
Sacred Heart Food Pantry Rock Island
The Sacred Heart Food Pantry and Distribution Center is managed and run by volunteers. The pantry is open daily from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Rock Island Township Hall, 2827 7th Avenue, in Rock Island. Area residents can pick up food once a month (Scott County residents can come to the pantry once and will be given a list of agencies and food pantries in Iowa). Food is provided based on the number of people in the household.
For more information, please call (309) 794-0660.
Safe Families for Children hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family-like supports for desperate families through a community of devoted volunteers who are motivated by compassion to keep children safe and families intact.
There are several locations in Illinois.
Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center
The mission of Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center is to support and respond to the needs of survivors of domestic violence and their dependents in the effort to avoid further abuse. The center is based in Galesburg and serves victims of domestic violence in Knox County.
Safe Harbor’s services include a crisis hotline, court advocacy, support groups, social service referrals, clothing and food, and children’s programs.
For more information, call (309) 343-7233 or email info@safeharborfcc.org.
Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. The program is focused on getting students to “Seek Help Before Harm.”
Recognizing that not all students may feel safe talking to their parents, teachers, coaches or mentors, students can use a free app, text/phone, website (Safe2HelpIllinois.com) and other social media platforms to confidentially report school safety issues and seek help before harming themselves or others.
The Safe2Help website provides guidance, tips and multi-media materials for children, teens, parents and educators on topics including:
- The role and actions of a trusted adult
- Ways to get help
- Encouraging others
- Helping someone online
- Suicide prevention
Salvation Army in Decatur and Macon County
The Salvation Army of Decatur and Macon County offers services including a food pantry, youth programs, the Pathway of Hope program for single parents, homeless prevention emergency support, a men’s transitional shelter and more.
Contact the Salvation Army of Decatur at (217) 428-4672.
Salvation Army of Southern Illinois in Marion
The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois in Marion provides financial assistance with food, rent, utilities, and clothing for families and individuals across Bond, Calhoun, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Jersey, Lawrence, Lincoln, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Pulaski, Scott and Shelby counties.
For questions or food pantry hours, please contact Darla Harms at (618) 993-5854 or darla.harms@usc.salvationarmy.org.