Resource Directory /

Family Support Resources

  • Catholic Charities of Rockford

    Catholic Charities of Rockford serves people in need in Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Carroll, Ogle, DeKalb, Kane, Whiteside and Lee counties. Its programs and services include:

    • Counseling and a mental health ministry
    • Immigration and refugee services
    • Emergency help
    • Food pantry and clothing closet
    • Project Hire employment training and services
    • Volunteer opportunities

  • Catholic Charities Social Services Archdiocese of Chicago

    Catholic Charities Social Services Archdiocese of Chicago provides help including homelessness prevention, food and basic needs, and crisis assistance. needshelp and crisis services. It also connects people to other organizations that can help with emergency assistance in Chicago, suburban Cook County and Lake County. Services include:

    • Burial and funeral assistance
    • Case management services
    • Emergency rental assistance
    • Utility assistance
    • Emergency shelter services
    • Stabilization services (pharmaceutical assistance, transportation assistance, clothing vouchers)

    The organization also provides family support programs, including child care and pregnancy and parenting support services, domestic violence support, behavioral health programs, and immigrant and refugee support.

  • CDC’s Developmental Milestones for Children

    From birth to age 5, your child should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides developmental milestones checklists to help track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.

    The CDC also has a free Milestone Tracker App with photos and videos that illustrate each developmental milestone. You can use the app to track your child’s development and find out what to do if you have concerns.

  • Center for Disability and Elder Law

    The Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cook County. CDEL offers programs and appointments at community sites on matters including:

    • Adult guardianship
    • Financial and housing stability
    • Estate and end-of-life planning
    • Divorce

  • Center for Parent Information and Resources (formerly NICHCY)

    The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is a central “hub” for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities nationwide. Materials on CPIR’s website are user-centered and created for and by Parent Centers around the country to help provide support and services to the families they serve. Resources include parent guides, training materials, information on special education and transition planning, webinars and more. CPIR also provides information in Spanish to help parents understand specific disabilities, the special education process and where to find help.

    CPIR also offers:

    • A family-friendly resource library
    • A monthly e-newsletter featuring new resources, upcoming events, and materials to share
    • Native American resources
    • The Office of Special Education Program (OSEP)’s Glossary of Common Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Terms in Spanish and in Korean
    • An events calendar
    • A Parent Center locator tool

  • Center for Prevention of Abuse

    Center for Prevention of Abuse‘s mission is to help all people – women, men, and children – to live free from violence and abuse.

    The center provides services for domestic violence, sexual abuse/assault, human trafficking, adult protective services and prevention education. Its crisis hotline is available 24/7 at (800) 559-SAFE (7233).

  • Center of Concern

    The Center of Concern is a non-profit social service agency providing housing solutions, support services and counselors for individuals with disabilities, older adults and others in need in Cook County, enabling them to live safely and independently.

  • Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization

    The Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization (CIDSO) offers support, events and educational resources for families in McLean County who have loved ones with Down syndrome.

  • Central Illinois LGBTQ+ Organizations

    The University of Illinois Springfield’s Gender and Sexuality Student Services provides a list of advocacy and community groups in central Illinois for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, plus (LGBTQ+) youth.

  • Cerebral Palsy Research Network

    The Cerebral Palsy Research Network aims to optimize the lifelong health and wellness of people with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families through high-quality research, education and community programming.

    The Cerebral Palsy Research Network website includes educational resources for the entire CP community to inform healthcare decisions, including a CP tool kit and a well-being guide for parents and caregivers.