General Resources
DSCC’s Private Health Insurance Chart
Private insurance plans are all different. Understanding how they are different can help you use your health insurance. This private health insurance chart from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is a guide for most plans. You should always check the rules of your insurance plan.
DSCC’s Transdev Transportation Prior Approval Tip Sheet
Medicaid will pay for transportation to and from appointments that Medicaid covers. For example, Medicaid will pay the cost for a trip to see a specialist.
This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) explains how to use Transdev to submit prior approvals for transportation.
DSCC’s Vehicle Modification Tip Sheet for MFTD Waiver Families
Vehicle modifications are an available service through the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Children (commonly called the MFTD waiver). This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) includes information on the type of vehicle modifications that may be covered and the steps involved in the process.
DSCC’s Illinois Medicaid Programs and Eligibility Guide
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this guide to help you understand Medicaid eligibility rules and how to apply.
Illinois Medicaid Programs and Eligibility Guide in English
Illinois Medicaid Programs and Eligibility Guide in Spanish
(Please note Illinois Medicaid is not a DSCC program. Therefore, DSCC does not decide Medicaid program eligibility. Please contact the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) or the Department of Human Services (DHS) for all programs and the most current information.)
DSCC’s Illinois Medicaid Redetermination Information for DSCC Families
Redetermination is a yearly review of your eligibility for Medicaid. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet for our participants to explain the redetermination process, your responsibilities and how DSCC can help you through the process.
Illinois Medicaid Redetermination Information for DSCC Families in English
Illinois Medicaid Redetermination Information for DSCC Families in Spanish
El Mercadito (Nourishing Hope)
El Mercadito is a partnership between La Casa Norte and Nourishing Hope. This partnership provides Chicago residents fresh food, benefits assistance, job search training, mental health counseling, and access to housing information and referral services. Assistance is available in multiple languages.
Nourishing Hope also offers a free, monthly Online Market service where individuals can:
- Place a grocery order using any computer or smartphone
- Order frozen meats, canned goods, cereal, milk, eggs, and fresh produce each month
- Pick up from the warehouse, The Hub or Sheridan Market
- Skip waiting in line
- Continue access to the physical pantry/market
El Valor is a non-profit, community-based organization serving children, people with disabilities and their families in the Chicagoland area. El Valor offers education programs focusing on early education, inclusion, employment and self-sufficiency for individuals of all ages with different abilities.
It also provides families a variety of enrichment opportunities including certification classes, first aid, parenting seminars and family support groups. Services are available in English and Spanish.
Election Engagement Hub for Individuals with Disabilities
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has an Election Engagement Hub that provides information and tools for disabled voters to engage as meaningfully as possible in their state, local and federal elections.
You can find state-by-state voting guides, plain language definitions of voting words and more.
AAPD also has the REV UP Voting Campaign, which aims to build the power of the disability vote through a national network of coalitions and organizations.
Emergency and Transitional Housing Program
The Emergency and Transitional Housing Program in Illinois gives immediate and comprehensive shelter services to people who are homeless and people at risk of becoming homeless. Services are provided at shelters run by nonprofit organizations and local governments. for more information, see the Emergency and Transitional Housing Provider List.
Emergency Preparedness Planning for Families and People with Disabilities
Ready.gov provides emergency preparedness tools and information to help families before, during and after disasters. This site includes:
- Step-by-step checklists, tips and individual considerations important to planning for people with disabilities and their families
- Ready Kids age-appropriate materials for helping children and teens be prepared rather than scared
Resources are also available in American Sign Language (ASL) and other languages including Spanish, simplified and traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.