Resource Directory /

Family and Caregiving Support Resources

  • 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.

  • The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois

    The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois serves as a central location for collecting and storing donated diapers. The Diaper Bank partners with local service agencies to distribute diapers to low-income children and their families.

    To request diapers, the Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois requires that the agency has an ongoing relationship with the client and has screened for need. Agencies may contact diaperbanksi@gmail.com or call (618) 549-2148, ext. 110.

  • The Dream Factory

    The Dream Factory is a volunteer-driven children’s wish-granting organization. Volunteers raise funds in their communities to grant dreams to local children ages 3 through 18 who have a life-threatening illness or are critically and chronically ill. Dreams are granted through local chapters. Referrals can be made by:

    • A parent or legal guardian of an ill child
    • A treating physician of an ill child
    • The ill child

    In Illinois, contact:

  • The Early Years Project

    The Early Years Project is a free online toolkit from the Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program featuring easy-to-follow videos, activities and resources. Parents, caregivers, and educators can use these materials to help foster sensory development in young children, from birth to 6 years old.

    The Early Years Project toolkit aims to supplement home visiting and early education programs. It includes information on developmental milestones, activities, resources and more in four areas:

    • Hearing
    • Vision
    • Communication
    • Language