Resource Directory /

General Resources

  • Springfield Park District – LEAP Program

    LEAP offers adaptive recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.

  • St. Louis Dental Center

    The St. Louis Dental Center offers comprehensive special care dentistry for patients with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities and other special healthcare needs. It is a partnership of A.T. Still University (ATSU) and Affinia Healthcare.

    The center’s special care suites include a wheelchair lift. The center accepts Medicaid and most dental insurance plans. Discounts are available to uninsured patients.

  • State of Illinois

    Links to state government and state agencies.

  • Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp for Children in Eureka, Missouri

    BJC Hospice hosts Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp each year for children and teens who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. The weekend-long, overnight camp provides a safe place for campers ages 6 to 15 to explore their grief and emotions.

    The camp usually takes place in August and is free for all children who have lost loved ones, not just families served by BJC Hospice (service areas include Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, Calhoun, Marion, Greene and portions of Pike and Perry counties).

  • STRIVE for Independence

    STRIVE for Independence offers driver evaluations and training for all ages, disabilities and medical conditions for the Chicagoland area. STRIVE for Independence serves clients with a wide variety of driver rehabilitation needs. Their team of specialists includes occupational therapists,  certified driver rehabilitation specialists and state of Illinois certified driving instructors (CDI) for adults and teenagers.

    Visit the STRIVE for Independence website for more details.

  • Suburban Cook County Homeless Prevention Call Center

    If you need financial assistance with mortgage, rent payments, rent deposits, utility payments or other housing issues, please call the Homeless Prevention Call Center at 1-877-4-Cook-15 (1-877-426-6515).

    Listen carefully to the prompts to choose which kind of help you need.

  • Summer Meals Program

    The Summer Meals Program and Illinois No Kid Hungry collaborate with national and state partner organizations to provide free meals during the summer for children and youth who depend on school lunches during the school year. Meals are available at locations throughout Illinois for children and youth ages 18 and under.

    To find a meal site near you:

    There is no application to receive a meal and you do not have to show proof of income.

  • Sunshine Foundation

    The Sunshine Foundation helps make dreams come true for children ages 3 to 18 who have severe or profound illnesses or conditions. Referrals can come from anywhere in the United States for children with severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse and whose families have limited income.

    Dream requests can include:

    • Staying at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village and visiting area theme parks and attractions
    • Funding towards a special gift or item of interest
    • Funding towards medical or adaptive equipment that insurance may not cover

  • Supporting Children With Limited Verbal Skills Tip Sheet

    This Supporting Children With Limited Verbal Skills tip sheet from the Illinois Early Learning Project provides strategies that are helpful to all children but are particularly helpful for those with limited verbal skills.

    IEL offers a wide variety of one-page, easy-to-read tip sheets covering a wide range of topics for parents and teachers of young children.

    All tipsheets are available in Spanish and English. Selected tipsheets are available in Polish, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, Russian and French.

  • Survivor Empowerment Center

    The Survivor Empowerment Center provides a safe and secure environment for southern Illinois domestic violence survivors and their children.

    The Center provides free, confidential services around-the-clock, 365 days a year to domestic and sexual violence survivors. Women, men, adolescents and children from Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Perry, Saline, Williamson, Union and Gallatin counties are welcome.

    Help includes:

    • A 24/7 hotline
    • A safe place/shelter away from an abuser
    • Counseling
    • Education and training
    • Assistance through medical, reporting and legal procedures