Resource Directory /

Family and Caregiving Support Resources

  • The Answer, Inc.

    The Answer, Inc. provides resources, education, recreation and advocacy services to families with loved ones with autism and developmental disabilities in the greater Chicago area.

    Visit The Answer, Inc., website for more information.

  • The Arc of Illinois

    The Arc of Illinois advocates for and empowers people with disabilities and their families to reach their goals and fully participate in community life. The Arc of Illinois provides information, resources, family support, and training to help make Illinois a place where people with disabilities can learn, play, work, and live in communities across the state.

    The Arc of Illinois’ services and programs include:

    • The Illinois Life Span program
    • Children’s services and caregiver support
    • Monthly webinars
    • Assistive technology resources
    • The Arc of Illinois fact sheets and more

    For questions, please contact The Arc of Illinois using the online form or call  (815) 464-1832.

  • The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center

    The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center works with families and professionals to address questions and concerns about the health of children and youth with special healthcare needs and disabilities under the age of 22.  The center uses its team’s extensive parental and professional experience to help other families access resources, communicate with medical providers and raise children at home in their communities.

    The center offers individual assistance for questions about Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, insurance, Medicaid waivers, disability programs, special education and more. The center also helps families connect with local, regional, statewide and national partners for support, information sharing and skill building.

    For more information, call (815) 464-1832 ext. 1017, or (866) 931-1110. For information in Spanish, call (800) 588-7002

  • The Autism Hero Project

    The Autism Hero Project champions inclusion and fosters an environment where everyone, regardless of neurodiversity, is valued and empowered to thrive. The organization helps support, equip and foster acceptance of people with autism.

    The Autism Hero Project provides:

    The Autism Hero Project Medical Insurance Grant Application program application period usually runs from September through October. If you have any application questions, please email applications@autismheroproject.org.

  • The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP)

    The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Network is a collaboration of five universities and 10 organizations that together operate 20 centers across the state to provide services to children, families, educators, childcare providers, and medical professionals.

    Illinois residents can participate in TAP’s Advocating for Supports to Improve Service Transitions (ASSIST) Training Program. The training features twelve modules focused on helping families advocate for adult services on behalf of their child or young adult on the autism spectrum. Each module features an expert-led presentation and time for discussion.

    Topics  include:

    • Guardianship and alternatives to guardianship
    • Medicaid waiver services
    • Social Security benefits
    • Health insurance
    • Special needs trusts
    • Post-secondary education and employment

  • The Center for Chronic Illness

    The Center for Chronic Illness (CCI) is a nonprofit organization that offers support and education to promote well-being and reduce isolation for people affected by chronic illness. CCI offers adults and teens living with chronic illness a variety of support groups and programs focusing on emotional well-being, health education and community. ​CCI provides:

    For questions, contact CCI at (425) 296-2705 or info@thecenterforchronicillness.org.

  • The Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation

    The Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation provides support and financial help to families in crisis due to pregnancy complications, premature birth/neonatal intensive care unit stay and loss. This financial assistance may help cover:

    • Childcare
    • Medical bills
    • Transportation costs
    • Rent/mortgage and utilities
    • Post-loss/funeral/burial expenses
    • Grief counseling (individual, couple and family)

    Visit the Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation website for more details.

  • The Community Resource Desk in Carbondale

    The Community Resource Desk at the Carbondale Public Library offers community residents information, referrals and help navigating and connecting with local programs and resources. Residents can get help with services such as utilities and housing assistance, employment support, transportation and obtaining essential documents.

    The Community Resource Desk at the Carbondale Public Library is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    For more details, please see the Community Resource Desk flyer.

    The library also provides social work and community assistance resources online, including the Carbondale Area Resource Guide and FindHelp Southern Illinois.

  • The Conversation Project

    The Conversation Project is an initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to help people talk about their wishes for care at the end of life so others can understand and respect them. The project offers free tools, videos and other resources to help make difficult conversations with loved ones easier. Resources are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Audio (English). Guide topics include:

    • A conversation starter guide
    • Talking to your health team
    • What matters to me workbook for people with serious illness
    • How to start talking with a child who is living with a serious illness about the health care that is right for them
    • Encouraging conversations in your community

    For questions, please email The Conversation Project at conversationproject@IHI.org.

  • The Decibels Foundation

    The Decibels Foundation supports children with hearing loss from birth through the time that they enter a mainstream educational environment and beyond. Using a family-centered approach to hearing loss programs, the Decibels Foundation  helps the children by first helping their parents learn how to raise a child with a hearing loss, then helping school systems understand what it takes to educate a child with hearing loss.

    The Decibels Foundation’s Resources page offers key information on:

    • Associations and programs
    • Articles and books
    • Simulated demonstrations of listening with hearing loss and devices
    • Cochlear implant resources
    • Education and accessibility
    • Speech and language support
    • Social and emotional support
    • Apps and more

    For questions, contact the Decibels Foundation at (978) 637-2622 or info@decibelsfoundation.org.