Resource Directory /

Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources

  • Hands & Voices Guides and Resources for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus

    Hands & Voices provides a variety of resources specific to children who are deaf/hard of hearing plus – the combination of being deaf or hard of hearing and having additional medical complexities or other needs.

    Information includes the “Connecting Families of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Plus (DHH Plus) with Resources and Support” guide, an Educational Plan Checklist for D/HH-Plus Students and presentations, articles and other guides for families of children who are D/HH plus.

  • Hands & Voices Virtual Waiting Room

    Hands & Voices virtual waiting room provides resources and connections for families with children who have been referred to or are in the care of an audiologist and who are receiving those services through technology or “telehealth.”  Much of the information is also useful for families who are preparing for onsite visits.

    Hands & Voices virtual waiting room includes:

    • A video about the importance of next steps when your child is referred for more testing after a hearing screening
    • A guidebook for parents about audiology and telehealth
    • Information about tele-audiology options
    • Questions to ask your audiologist, understanding your child’s audiogram, help making decisions with communication and more
    • Connections to family-to-family support from trained parent leaders
    • Explanations of help offered by a variety of professionals in addition to your child’s audiologist
    • Resources to promote health and well-being for you and your child
    • A link to email a Hands & Voices trained parent who can answer your questions and direct you to additional resources

  • Have Dreams

    Have Dreams in Evanston and Park Ridge provides innovative programming and compassionate care for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. It focuses on helping individuals with autism build social, communication and independence skills across the lifespan. Have Dreams’ services include free downloadable social stories and resources, counseling, support groups, after-school programs for students with autism and community-based social opportunities for neurodivergent young adults ages 22 and older.

    Have Dreams also provides:

    Please visit Have Dreams’ Contact Us page for more information.

  • Heart Conditions and Children

    A number of heart conditions can affect children. Some are structural abnormalities they are born with. Others deal with the electrical system that controls the heartbeat.

    HealthyChildren.org, the official parenting site of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides numerous articles and information about heart conditions, including common heart defects in children, the challenges faced by parents of children with congenital heart disease, dental care for children with heart conditions and more.

  • Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association

    The Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association (HOIDSA) offers support and information to help families adjust to the special needs of a child with Down syndrome. Its programs and resources for families and caregivers include Individual Education Program (IEP) resource providers, conference and classroom stipends, and events to increase inclusion and understanding of people with Down syndrome.

    The association’s service area in central Illinois includes Peoria, Marshall, Tazewell and Woodford counties.

    For questions, visit HOIDSA’s website contact page, call (309) 363-3125, or email info@hoidsa.org.

  • HIPP Program Tip Sheet and Application

    The Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program pays health insurance premiums for some children who have high medical costs and who have private health insurance available.

    This HIPP Program Tip Sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) explains the program’s availability and how to apply. (The HIPP Tip Sheet is also available in Spanish.)

  • Hire Autism

    Hire Autism is a free program from the Organization for Autism Research to help autistic job seekers find meaningful employment opportunities and connect with autism-friendly employers.

    The site features include a searchable jobs board and resource library, profile and job board navigation tutorials, personalized job alerts and autism- or disability-related employment events. Job seekers can request free one-on-one virtual assistance with resume and cover letter writing as well as interview preparation through Hire Autism’s volunteer mentoring program.

    Hire Autism also offers the Synchrony Tech Scholarship for adults with autism pursuing technology-related courses or training to advance their careers.

    For questions, please contact Hire Autism.

  • Home Care Appeal and Peer-to-Peer Review Tip Sheet

    The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is the operating agency for the Home Care Program. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) completes required reviews and determinations regarding a participant’s eligibility for Home Care services.

    This tip sheet from DSCC explains how the review and determination of medical eligibility for Home Care services works. It also outlines how to file appeals for any decision made by HFS that denies, reduces, changes or terminates benefits for you or your child. (English or Spanish)

  • Home Generator Information for MFTD Waiver Families

    The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile Technology Dependent (MFTD) may pay for power generators for a waiver participant’s primary residence.

    The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) put together this tip sheet that covers what the waiver will cover, what families need to do and more.

    Home Generator Tip Sheet in English

    Home Generator Tip Sheet in Spanish

  • Homocystinuria (HCU) Network America

    Homocystinuria (HCU) Network America provides free resources and connections for people impacted by this rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to process the amino acid homocysteine. HCU Network America supports a wide range of research and provides educational resources, connections and practical tools to help patients and their families navigate living with HCU.

    HCU Network America resources include: