Resource Directory /

General Resources

  • 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 provides door-to-door and fixed-route service to anyone needing 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:

  • Rising Lights Project

    Rising Lights Project is dedicated to creating environments for individuals affected by disability to learn, laugh, thrive and engage with the Fox Valley Community.

    Rising Lights Project provides opportunities that engage, encourage, educate and empower people from all areas of the community to change the way disability is viewed and create new opportunities to keep those with disability engaged and connected. The project hosts inclusive events that are accessible and sensory-friendly for all ages.

  • Rockin’ the Spectrum

    Rockin’ the Spectrum is a non-profit helping families and their loved ones with autism and other developmental disabilities. The organization works to promote autism acceptance and inclusion for all ages, and provides a space where loved one can be themselves and families can learn together in a judgment-free environment.

    Located in McHenry County, Rockin The Spectrum provides:

    • The Clubhouse, an indoor sensory play area
    • Support, resources and advocacy
    • A day program for youth 18 and older

  • 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.

  • Russian Resources for Families and Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

    Hands & Voices is a nationwide, parent-driven organization supporting families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology.

    Hands & Voices working in partnership with the St. Petersburg Early Intervention Institute provides a Russian translation of materials aimed at improving services and child outcomes.

  • Safe2Help Illinois

    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

  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline

    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 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.

  • Sarah’s Inn

    Sarah’s Inn provides comprehensive services for families affected by domestic violence so that they get the support they need to find safety, rebuild their lives and heal. It serves Chicago and 22 surrounding West Cook County suburban communities. Sarah’s Inn resources include:

    • Support and crisis interventions
    • Legal support
    • Violence prevention programs
    • Community education and training programs
    • The Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP)

    Sarah’s Inn’s 24-hour emergency Crisis Line is (708) 386-4225.

  • Self-Advocacy Online

    The Self-Advocacy Online (SAO) website, from the Research and Training Center on Community Living at The University of Minnesota,  provides self-advocacy tools for people with disabilities. The SOA website can help you research, learn and connect around self-advocacy. It includes:

    • Stories from self-advocates
    • A search feature to help you find self-advocacy groups
    • Research and information on a variety of important topics