Family Support Resources
The KASE Project aims to raise awareness and support for autism through community outreach in the Springfield area. Its programs include:
- PECS (Picture Exchange Communication) at the Park – an initiative to install picture communication boards at local parks and playgrounds.
- PALS (Parent Autism Life Support) – a caregiver support initiative for parents, siblings and caregivers of children and adults with autism in Sangamon County. PALS currently hosts a support group for moms.
- FLASH (Friends Learning and Sharing Hope) – an effort to bring adaptive sports to the Chatham community and beyond.
- SIBS – A Sibshops program for siblings of children with health, mental health and developmental needs.
The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University
The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center providing elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The Clerc Center Online Community provides best-practice videos, research, toolkits and resources for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and the professionals who work with them.
Clerc Center resources include:
- The Language First Parent Guide, a step-by-step roadmap for parents with children who are deaf and hard of hearing
- Family-focused activities such as American Sign Language (ASL) classes, bilingual storybooks and more
The Little Resource Center in Carbondale
The Little Resource Center (TLRC) provides free health, safety, and well-being services to strengthen and empower families, parents, and caregivers. TLRC services and programs are free. Help includes infant and postpartum care items, classes and webinars on various wellness topics, and referrals to other needed services. The Little Resource Center’s support includes:
- Short-term diaper and formula assistance
- Events, classes and support groups for families, caregivers and expecting parents
- Referrals to healthcare providers, social service agencies and community-based agencies for resources
The Mighty’s Digital Toolkit for Caregivers
The Mighty provides a digital toolkit to help caregivers learn more about the ins and outs of caregiving and discover helpful resources to utilize along their caregiving journey.
The Mighty’s Digital Toolkit for Caregivers includes:
- A caregiving binder, complete with worksheets to help you better organize important information
- A respite care questionnaire to help you find the perfect respite worker for your specific needs
- A self-care mini-guide to help you destress and prioritize your mental health
Everything included in the toolkit is downloadable, printable and shareable.
The Neighbor Project (TNP) is a nonprofit, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to helping low to moderate-income families in Aurora reduce debt, build credit, save and ultimately buy their first homes.
The Nest Postpartum is a nonprofit that serves families with a child in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Carle Hospital in Champaign.
It provides services such as transportation, lodging, prepared meals, care coordinator check-ins and links to other community support programs for families staying in the NICU.
The Night’s Shield is a nonprofit that works with children who have been victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect. The organization has provided free diapers, furniture, child care items, hygiene items, school supplies, food and clothing to families in need.
The Night Shield’s Family Advocacy Center provides services to help strengthen families and relationships, including case management and client advocacy, life skills/coaching, parenting classes/groups and more.
The Parent Advocacy App for Families of Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Children
The Parent Advocacy app is a free application for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing attending Individualized Education Program meetings, 504 Plan meetings and more.
The app aims to help you understand your child’s rights and prepare to work with the school in the best interest of your child.
The Parent Place in Springfield
The Parent Place has been the local child abuse prevention organization teaching parents and local professionals positive parenting skills and techniques in Springfield.
The Parent Place serves families through various specialized classes, workshops, support groups for parents, guardianship assistance, extended family services, walk-in services, telephone crisis management, family mediation, individual family coaching, a diaper pantry, supervised visits and through its court-mandated Positive Co-Parenting classes for couples going through a divorce or separation.
The diaper pantry is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Salvation Army of Freeport and Stephenson County
The Salvation Army of Freeport and Stephenson County provides a wide range of programs and services to area families and individuals to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. The Salvation Army can help with bills, child care, employment, housing and emergencies. It also works to connect individuals to outside resources that can benefit personal growth and support.
The Salvation Army of Freeport and Stephenson County is at 524 West Stephenson Street in Freeport. For more information, please call (815) 235-7638.
Freeport, IL