Resource Directory /

Family and Caregiving Support Resources

  • Child Mind Institute

    The Child Mind Institute’s Family Resource Center provides information for parents, caregivers, and others supporting children who are struggling with mental health, behavioral, or learning challenges. Resources include parenting guides, podcasts, a glossary of terms and up-to-date information on learning and behavior disorders, sensory processing, milestones and more.

    The Child Mind Institute offers a variety of free parenting guides in English and Spanish. Guide topics include:

    If you have any questions, please visit the Contact Us page on Child Mind Institute’s website.

  • Child Neurology Foundation

    The Child Neurology Foundation (CNF) is a patient advocacy organization offering tools, education resources and a network of more than 48 organizations to help children and their families living with neurologic conditions find social services and emotional support.

    CNF’s Family Support Program helps families navigate the journey of being a caregiver of a child with a neurologic condition. Families can connect with trained staff who will listen and help with:

    • Learning about a child neurology disorder and clinical trials
    • Connecting to disease-specific organizations
    • Talking to another parent
    • Navigating insurance and more

    Visit the CNF Family Support Program page to learn more. You can request help online or by calling (859) 551-4977.

  • Child Welfare Information Gateway

    The Child Welfare Information Gateway aims to provide free and trusted resources to service providers, family members and parents working to bring children home from foster care. It helps equip individuals with the resources needed to support positive outcomes for all children, youth and families. The Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to the following:

    • Publications
    • Research
    • Laws and policies
    • Databases covering a wide range of topics, including prevention, child abuse and neglect, adoption, search and reunion.

    For questions, call 1 (800) 394-3366 or email info@childwelfare.gov.

  • Childhood Tracheostomy Alliance

    The Childhood Tracheostomy Alliance is a non-profit created by families and healthcare providers working together to transform the care and quality of life of children with tracheostomy and ventilator dependence and their families. The Alliance is focused on educating communities, improving access to in-home support and supplies, helping with out-of-pocket medical expenses, and providing a network of support from both caregivers and healthcare professionals. The Childhood Tracheostomy Alliance website includes:

    • Frequently asked questions and terms about tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation
    • Annual caregiver grants
    • A list of resources by state

    For questions, please contact the Childhood Tracheostomy Alliance.

  • Childproofing Your Home Toolkit

    As you welcome a new baby, prepare for toddlerhood or relocate to a new home, it is important to provide a safe environment for your child. The Illinois Early Learning Project put together this Childproofing Your Home Toolkit that includes general guidance, helpful checklists, videos and additional resources.

  • Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies

    All children have unique needs in emergencies, but care for children with special healthcare needs is often more complex because of their various health conditions and extra care requirements. They may have a hard time moving from one place to another, urgent or constant medical needs, difficulty communicating or have trouble with transitioning to different situations. A disaster can present all these difficulties at once.

    The CDC’s Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies page provides tips for creating an emergency kit and practicing an emergency care plan to help children stay safe and feel calm during an emergency. It also includes tips on involving your child’s healthcare provider and local emergency services in your planning.

  • Clearbrook Respite Programs

    Clearbrook’s various respite programs offer an array of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These services are designed to help maintain individuals with developmental disabilities in the individual/family home by providing short-term relief to primary caregivers.

    Clearbrook provides respite services in the following counties: Lee, Dekalb, Stephenson, Winnebago, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Boone, Cook, Lake, Will, Kankakee, Grundy, Kendall, Kane, McHenry and DuPage.

    For more information, call (847) 870-7711 or email info@clearbrook.org.

  • Coloring Pages for Caregivers

    UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children has created adult coloring pages to help caregivers relieve stress and practice mindfulness. Four designs are available in English and Spanish:

    Lighthouse (Lighthouse Spanish)

    Sunflowers (Sunflowers Spanish)

    Hot air balloons (Hot air balloons Spanish)

    Gears and clock (Gears and clock Spanish)

  • Comeunity

    ComeUnity is a parent support website with resources on parenting children with special needs, adoption, child development, and multiple lists of groups and organizations that provide information on specific topics or areas.

  • Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens

    HealthyChildren.org, the parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) teens information on understanding, supporting and remembering that each child is unique and will have their own experiences and feelings along the way.

    “Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens” provides help for parents and children navigating the many aspects of acceptance.