Resource Directory /

Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources

  • Hunter’s Hope Foundation

    Hunter’s Hope Foundation offers information and programs to support the care of a loved one with leukodystrophy and other disabilities. It provides support for finding care, information on living with leukodystrophy, and programs to help families provide the equipment their children need.

    Family help and support includes:

    • Beau’s Blessings care package for parents with children in the intensive care unit or neonatal intensive care unit
    • Hunter’s Wish Gift helps families facing extreme financial stress due to the costs of caring for a child with leukodystrophy
    • Morgan’s Legacy Gift provides quality-of-life gifts to children living with any type of lifelong disability
    • A Resource Library for affected families, medical professionals and others in the leukodystrophy community

    If you have any questions, please contact Hunter’s Hope Foundation at info@huntershope.org or (716) 667-1200.

  • Icing Smiles

    Icing Smiles is a nonprofit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families affected by a child’s critical illness or an illness that requires frequent hospitalizations.

  • ILHousingSearch.org

    ILHousingSearch.org is a free bilingual online resource for renters and property providers in Illinois.

    You can search for affordable, accessible and market-rate housing to fit your needs and budget.

    For additional assistance, call (877) 428-8844  (toll-free) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dial 7-1-1 for TTY.

  • Illinois ABLE

    IL ABLE (Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest for expenses related to living with a disability without losing, or losing access to, federal means-tested benefits such as SSI, SSDI and Medicaid. Earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if they are spent on a broad range of qualified disability expenses including housing, health and wellness, education and training, therapy, basic living expenses and more.

    For more information:

    • Call (888) 609-8683, Monday – Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Support is provided for non-English speakers as well as deaf and hard-of-hearing callers.
    • Email il.clientservice@savewithable.com.

  • Illinois Assistive Technology Program

    The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) provides expertise in assistive technology and accessible information technology to all Illinois residents of all ages with disabilities and/or health conditions including family members, friends and caregivers.

    IATP provides assistive technology demonstrations and allows people to see, try and borrow devices before making a purchasing decision. IATP also allows people to donate or obtain gently used assistive technology devices.

    IATP also offers classes and help in finding the right AT devices for your needs:

    • Tech Kitchen offers cooking classes in a home-style kitchen showcasing accessibility and adapted tools. Classes are for individuals 14 and up with any disability.
    • Smart Home Technology features a five-room interactive Smart Home display highlighting home automation. Experts in assistive technology can discuss your needs and help you compare different AT devices. This program focuses on serving individuals receiving services from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS-DRS).
    • IATP Makers provides custom AT devices and open-source 3D printer files for Illinois residents.

    For questions, visit the contact page on IATP’s website.

  • Illinois Association of Education of Young Children (ILAEYC)

    The Illinois Chapter of the Association of Education of Young Children (ILAEYC or Illinois AEYC) works to enrich the quality of care and education of the young child by:

    • Increasing communication among parents, caregivers and professionals involved in the care and education of young children
    • Providing in-service training for the early childhood community
    • Hosting opportunities for community learning

    ILAEYC has chapters and volunteers throughout the state.

  • Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics

    Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (IAFCC) foster partnerships aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for low-income individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. IAFCC provides webinars, resources for patients, and a statewide directory of free and charitable clinics.

     

  • Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition

    The Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition provides resources for consumers, providers, clinicians, employers and educators on issues related to medical insurance coverage for behavioral health services for autism, developmental disabilities and mental health conditions in Illinois.

    Coalition resources include:

    For more information, contact the Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition at (614) 565-5765 or help@ilasd.com.

  • Illinois Cares for Kids

    Illinois Cares for Kids provides parents, caregivers, teachers, and childcare providers a place to find information on statewide programs related to early learning and development, child care and family well-being in English and Spanish. The website includes information about:

    • Child development and education for kids of all ages
    • Healthcare coverage and emotional well-being
    • Home visiting programs
    • Child care subsidy programs
    • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
    • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Bright Start 529 college savings plan

  • Illinois Center for Transition and Work

    The Illinois Center for Transition and Work (ICTW) supports special educators, related services personnel, and administrators through statewide training and technical assistance. ICTW strives to improve employment outcomes by focusing on preparing students with extensive support needs for the transition from high school to employment.

    The ICTW website offers information and webinars on a wide range of resources, including:

    For questions, please contact ICTW at (217) 333 – 2202 or contact-ictw@illinois.edu.
    College of Education