General Resources
CDC’s Developmental Milestones for Children
From birth to age 5, your child should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides developmental milestones checklists to help track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
The CDC also has a free Milestone Tracker App with photos and videos that illustrate each developmental milestone. You can use the app to track your child’s development and find out what to do if you have concerns.
CEDA: Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County
CEDA: Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County offers a variety of services to families and individuals in need.
Its programs include:
- Utility bill assistance with gas, electric, water and furnace repair
- Home weatherization providing long-term home repair solutions to reduce energy costs and make homes more energy efficient
- Housing services including housing information counseling, education and advice for homebuyers, homeowners, renters and the homeless
- Services for women, infants and children including food, education and support for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children under age 5
Census Information Packet for People with Disabilities
Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition (Chicagoland DPOCC), the Institute on Disability and Human Development and Counting on Chicago Coalition came together to create a helpful tool for those who want to learn more about the 2020 U.S. Census and how it affects disability communities throughout the country, including people with disabilities who live in Chicago.
Census 101: #IAmCounted is a packet where you can find out what the census means, how the census can help communities (including the disability community), ways to complete the census and more.
If you would like to get the packet in a different language, email chicagolandpocc@gmail.com.
Center for Disability and Elder Law
The Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cook County. CDEL offers programs and appointments at community sites on matters including:
- Adult guardianship
- Financial and housing stability
- Estate and end-of-life planning
- Divorce
The Center of Concern is a non-profit social service agency providing housing solutions, support services and counselors for individuals with disabilities, older adults and others in need in Cook County, enabling them to live safely and independently.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
A resource to search Medicaid Waivers for each state.
Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization
The Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization (CIDSO) offers support, events and educational resources for families in McLean County who have loved ones with Down syndrome.
Central Illinois Sled Hockey Association
The Central Illinois Sled Hockey Association (CISHA) is a volunteer, non-profit organization offering recreational and competitive sled hockey for youth and adult players with physical disabilities throughout the central Illinois region.
Families do not pay to participate. CISHA provides sleds, hockey equipment, team jerseys and ice time.
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to be a catalyst for creating positive change for people with cerebral palsy (CP).
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation website includes expert insights on what is CP and a fact sheet library on various topics.
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation’s Cerebral Palsy Resource website provides expert insights, fact sheets, stories, blogs, videos, podcasts and more to help individuals with cerebral palsy and their families across the lifespan.