General Resources
Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS)
Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS) serves youth ages 11 to 17 who are involved in the legal system or at risk of crisis (homelessness, etc.). CCBY provides programs to help stabilize families and prevent or minimize involvement in the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems. Anyone can request services for an eligible youth, including the youth.
CCBY services include:
- Assessments
- Statewide 24/7 crisis intervention services
- Juvenile justice system intervention services
- Placement services for crisis youth – shelter, foster care, etc.
You can contact the toll-free CCBYS Information Line at (877) 870-2663.
Cued Speech Program for Families of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children
Cue College’s Cue Family Program provides a free, online Cued Speech class to families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Cued Speech combines a small number of simple hand cues with the natural mouth movements of speech to make the sounds or “phonemes” of spoken language clear through vision alone.
The Cue Family Program includes free access for one year to the online Cue College course, “CS100 – Introduction to Cued American English – Self Study”, for parents, guardians, additional family members and caregivers of a child with hearing loss or other communication challenges.
Curb Mobility – Chicago Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs
Curb Mobility, LLC (CURB) manages Chicago’s Centralized Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxicab Dispatch Service. Passengers can call CURB or use a smartphone app to request and connect with an available WAV taxicab. Passengers can also request wheelchair accessible taxis in advance for Chicago events that may include high turnout from accessible vehicle users.
Passengers can request a CURB WAV taxicab ride by:
- Calling (888) WAV-CABS (1-888-928-2227)
- Downloading the CURB app
- Emailing a request to the City of Chicago Centralized Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Dispatch Service, CURB, at least three business days in advance to chicagowav@gocurb.com
Dental Care for Children with Special Needs Tip Sheet
Children with special needs may need extra time or support when seeing a dentist. This tip sheet provides resources and the steps needed to balance your child’s needs with the dentist’s experience.
You can view the Dental Care for Children with Special Needs tip sheet from the InsureKidsNow.gov website.
Dentist Locator – Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover dental services, including check-ups, x-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings and more. Use this Dentist Locator to find a dentist in your community who sees children and accepts Medicaid and CHIP.
If you don’t have coverage, learn more about free or low-cost health insurance available in your area at InsureKidsNow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW/(877) 543-7669.
DHS List of Community Service Agencies Serving Immigrants in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) provides a statewide list of community service agencies serving immigrants. The list includes:
- The agency name and contact information
- Their geographic service areas
- Citizenship, case management and other services provided
- Languages available
The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center and Family Voices of Illinois provide this fact sheet on possible options for help with the cost of diapers for children, youth and adults with disabilities.
The non-profit Diaper Bank of Chicago provides diapers in sizes newborn through large-sized Underjams, ensuring all kids who need protection are covered. It partners with other nonprofits and social service agencies to distribute diapers. The diaper bank only accepts requests for diapers through an agency partner or social service agency.
For questions or to volunteer, please contact the Diaper Bank of Chicago at info@diaperchicago.org or (312) 880-7195.
Digital Safety Resources from the Illinois Attorney General
Digital safety encompasses a wide variety of issues related to the use of computers, tablets, cell phones, games, apps and social media. The Illinois Attorney General’s “Online Safe, Online Smart” website provides resources for children, teenagers, parents and educators seeking information about digital safety.
Kids, teens, parents and teachers coping with cyberbullying and internet safety issues may also contact an Internet Safety Specialist at:
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.