General Resources
Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities
The American Red Cross provides information and inclusive tools for creating an emergency plan tailored to your family’s specific needs regarding mobility, hearing, learning or seeing disabilities.
The step-by-step tools are designed to help individuals be informed, prepare for and respond to disasters or other urgent situations.
Diverse Learners Recovery Fund
The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund is a lottery-style grant program for Chicago families with children with disabilities offered through the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. The fund will provide one-time grants of $500 to up to 8,000 eligible K-12 students through a lottery. Families must submit an application and complete the verification process to participate. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30, 2024.
The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund program will select recipients through three lottery drawings on the following dates:
- July 1, 2024
- Sept. 16, 2024
- On or after Nov. 30, 2024
The program will notify selected applicants by email. Verified applications that are not chosen will be included in the next drawing.
Submitting an eligible application does not guarantee you will receive the funds.
Dove, Inc. provides a variety of outreach programs, financial assistance and resources to residents in Macon, Shelby, Moultrie, Piatt and DeWitt counties.
Dove Financial Assistance (DFA) may be able to provide emergency help with water, power, eye prescriptions, dental needs and some prescription medications.
DFA also works with the Energy Assistance Fund to help people with their heating and cooling bills through the “Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends Program” in Macon, DeWitt and Piatt Counties.
Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DGAGSL) and Metro-East/Southern Illinois Chapters
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DGAGSL) serves, supports and celebrates the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. DGAGSL and its chapters provide educational programs, resources and events to help increase awareness and connect families with the help they need for every stage of their child’s life.
These DGAGSL community groups provide support and coordinate events in southern Illinois and the greater St. Louis area:
- DSAGSL Metro-East Illinois Community Group serves Belleville, O’Fallon, Shiloh, and surrounding areas. Contact Abigail Bosslet at abigail@dsagsl.org or call (314) 833-7560.
- DSAGSL Southern Illinois Community Group serves Carbondale, Creal Springs and surrounding areas. Contact Abigail Bosslet for information.
- DSAGSL Down Syndrome & Autism Dual Diagnosis Group serves families in Missouri and Illinois. Contact Linda Kamphorst at linda@dsagsl.org or (314) 833-8214.
- DSAGSL Black Family Network serves families in Missouri and Illinois. Contact Makini Anwisye at makini@dsagsl.org or (314) 833-7586.
- The National Dance Institute has a series of YouTube videos of their inclusive dance program called the DREAM Project (Dancers Realize Excellence through Arts and Movement). The project provides children with disabilities the opportunity to dance and perform. Each dancer is encouraged to achieve their best through teamwork, creativity, empathy and discovery.
DSCC Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety Handout
Basic fire and carbon monoxide protection are key components of maintaining a safe home. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this handout to provide helpful guidelines on the equipment necessary to protect your home from these preventable dangers.
DSCC Emergency Preparedness Tip Sheet
Emergencies like power outages and weather events can be especially dangerous for individuals with complex medical needs. This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) helps with emergency knowledge and disaster planning. It includes important considerations for emergency situations as well as a resource toolbox with expert advice for pediatric, disability and/or advanced healthcare needs.
DSCC’s “What Does Illinois Medicaid Cover?” Tip Sheet
Illinois Medicaid covers many services including comprehensive medical, dental, vision and pharmacy benefits. Our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) tip sheet “What Does Illinois Medicaid Cover?” offers examples of what may be covered in a variety of areas such as vision, transportation and mental health services.
What Does Illinois Medicaid Cover? tip sheet in English
What Does Illinois Medicaid Cover? tip sheet in Spanish
Illinois Medicaid is not a DSCC program. DSCC does not decide coverage or eligibility for Medicaid. This is a helpful guide. To learn more, visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services website.
DSCC’s Emergency Plan Template
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) developed this emergency plan template to help our participant families create an emergency plan to keep them safe and prepared in the event of a disaster or other emergencies.
Sections include emergency contacts, emergency prep tips, evacuation plans and plans for medical emergencies.
DSCC’s Health Insurance Appeals Tip Sheet
An appeal is when you ask your health insurance company to reconsider their decision. Health insurance plans must tell you why they did not cover services. This Health Insurance Appeals tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) includes steps for navigating the process of asking your health insurance company to reconsider their decision. It also includes a sample appeal letter.