General Resources
The Arc’s Talk About Sexual Violence project provides materials and practical tools to help health care professionals, people with disabilities, and their families and supporters learn about the depth of the problem, support victims and work to prevent it.
Talk About Sexual Violence seeks to empower survivors with disabilities in the reporting process and give health care professionals the tools to more effectively identify victims, connect them to appropriate services, help build their self-advocacy skills and better prevent sexual violence.
In addition to the “Starting the Conversation Toolkit for Self-Advocates,” put together by Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC), resources include short training videos for healthcare professionals, tools to help guide conversations and more.
Resources to Help Children After a School Shooting
The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families provides a list of resources to help parents, caregivers and educators support children and youth after a school shooting.
Resources are available in both English and Spanish.
Respiratory Virus Resources for People with Disabilities
Some people with disabilities may be more likely to get very sick from the flu, COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Underlying medical conditions can add to their risk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of respiratory virus resources and tips for people with disabilities on its website.
Rides Mass Transit District in Southern Illinois
Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD) offers clean, comfortable, and cost-effective public transportation in Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Lawrence, Pope, Richland, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson counties. RMTD offers door-to-door and fixed-route services to anyone requiring transportation. RMTD also provides ADA paratransit services for people with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route bus services where available.
RMTD’s ADA paratransit service is by reservation only. For more details or to make a reservation:
- See the RMTD flyer in English
- See the RMTD flyer in Spanish/Folletto en español
For any questions, please call the RMTD Operation Center at (844) 220-1243.
Rush Autism Resource Directory
The Autism Resource Directory is an online resource guide to help families find service and support referrals in the following counties: Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee.
For more information or if you have any questions about navigating the directory or finding a referral, please call (312) 563-2272.
Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. The program is focused on getting students to “Seek Help Before Harm.”
Recognizing that not all students may feel safe talking to their parents, teachers, coaches or mentors, students can use a free app, text/phone, website (Safe2HelpIllinois.com) and other social media platforms to confidentially report school safety issues and seek help before harming themselves or others.
The Safe2Help website provides guidance, tips and multi-media materials for children, teens, parents and educators on topics including:
- The role and actions of a trusted adult
- Ways to get help
- Encouraging others
- Helping someone online
- Suicide prevention
Salvation Army of Southern Illinois in Marion
The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois in Marion provides financial assistance with food, rent, utilities, and clothing for families and individuals across Bond, Calhoun, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Jersey, Lawrence, Lincoln, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Pulaski, Scott and Shelby counties.
For questions or food pantry hours, please contact Darla Harms at (618) 993-5854 or darla.harms@usc.salvationarmy.org.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
(800) 662-HELP (4357)
TTY: (800) 487-4889
SAM’s Sweet Heart Memorial Foundation
SAM’s Sweet Heart Memorial Foundation is dedicated to helping Illinois families with children with complex medical diagnoses.
SAM’s Sweet Heart provides financial assistance to Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago county families with children under the age of 18 who have a medical condition requiring lifelong treatment. Local families may apply for a grant during open application periods.
Sangamon County Resource Guide
The Sangamon County Department of Community Resources strives to improve the quality of life for people in-need in Sangamon County through department programs, services and referrals that promote economic stability and/or self-motivation.
The department provides several resource guides that cover financial assistance, food pantries, health care, housing and more for the residents of Sangamon County.