Transition: Guardianship and Alternatives Resources
“Consider the Alternatives: Decision-Making Options for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities”
As youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are making plans to attend college, it is more important than ever that families become fully informed about guardianship as well as less-limiting alternatives. This brief, written by Think College partners at PACER Center, defines some of the options and possible ramifications. It also suggests ways to promote self-determination no matter which option is chosen.
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
For questions, please call (312) 376-1880 or email info@cdelaw.org.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (formerly NICHCY)
The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is a central “hub” for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities nationwide. Materials on CPIR’s website are user-centered and created for and by Parent Centers across the country to support and provide services to the families they serve. Resources include parent guides, training materials, information on special education and transition planning, webinars and more. CPIR also provides information in Spanish to help parents understand specific disabilities, the special education process, and where to find help.
CPIR also offers:
- A family-friendly resource library
- A monthly e-newsletter featuring new resources, upcoming events, and materials to share
- Native American resources
- The Office of Special Education Program (OSEP)’s Glossary of Common Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Terms in Spanish and in Korean
- An events calendar
- A Parent Center locator tool
For questions, please visit CPIR’s contact page.
DayOne PACT is a not-for-profit agency that provides service case management, trust and guardianship services for people with disabilities in Illinois through its Life Management Services program. The agency also functions as the Child and Family Connections agency for DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties. This service works with families with children who are eligible for services through the Illinois Early Intervention system.
DayOne PACT aims to help individuals with disabilities of all ages live supported, productive and meaningful lives.
- The St. Charles location serves Kendall and Kane counties. Call (630) 879-2277 (telephone and “Crisis After Hours” with 24-hour accessibility) or (888) 356-0491 (toll-free)
- The Lisle location serves DuPage County. Call (630) 960-9700 (telephone and “Crisis After Hours” with 24-hour accessibility) or (888) 356-0491 (toll-free)
Everyone’s ability to make decisions changes across a lifetime, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning created this Future Decisions handout to help individuals with IDD and their families learn how to make, review and adjust a decision-making plan throughout a person’s life to maximize their ability to make their own decisions.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the same right to make decisions about their lives as people without disabilities. It is important to recognize and respect that right.
This Decision-Making Supports handout from The Arc’s Center for Future Planning provides information about available supports to help people with IDD make decisions.
DSCC’s Guardianship and Alternatives Tip Sheet
This transition tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children can help you explore guardianship or another form of support to protect adults who cannot make decisions on their own. It includes information about guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, estate planning (wills and special needs trusts) and more.
The Family Caregiver Alliance’s mission is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. The Family Caregiver Alliance website provides in-depth information and tips on a variety of caregiving topics, including legal and financial planning, advanced illness and end of life, self-care and more.
Resources are available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and more.
Formerly known as the Center for Law and Social Work, Greenlight Family Services helps families across Illinois with adult guardianship cases and can also counsel families on backup arrangements.
If you have any questions, please use the online form to contact Greenlight Family Services or call (773) 728-7800.
There are many myths about guardianship that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families should understand.
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning has created this handout to help.