Resource Directory /

Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources

  • The Early Years Project

    The Early Years Project is a free online toolkit from the Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program featuring easy-to-follow videos, activities and resources. Parents, caregivers, and educators can use these materials to help foster sensory development in young children, from birth to 6 years old.

    The Early Years Project toolkit aims to supplement home visiting and early education programs. It includes information on developmental milestones, activities, resources and more in four areas:

    • Hearing
    • Vision
    • Communication
    • Language

  • The HAP Foundation

    The HAP Foundation provides patient-centered hospice and palliative care education, research, workforce development and support. The foundation helps any family of a child or adult living with a serious illness understand palliative and hospice care options, and connect to and strengthen care throughout their journey. The HAP Foundation resources also include:

    • Palliative and hospice care information for families and medical professionals
    • Help for finding and accessing care
    • Missing Pieces support group for anyone grieving the loss of a child
    • The Pediatric Resource Guide for patients, families and practitioners
    • Chicagoland resources and events

    For questions, contact the HAP Foundation at (312) 741-1283 or info@thehapfoundation.org.

  • The HIKE Fund, Inc.

    The official site of the Hearing Improvement Kids Endowment Fund, Inc. (HIKE). The Hike Fund provides hearing devices for children with hearing loss aged newborn to 20 years whose parents are unable to meet this special need financially.

    See the Hike Fund application form for more details about eligibility requirements and how to apply. You can also email applications@thehikefund.org for more details about the application process.

  • The Humanitarian Foundation

    The Grottoes International Humanitarian Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps cover the cost of dental treatment and anesthesia costs, whether done in a hospital setting or dental office, for children with special needs. The program does not cover the hospital costs.

    The Dental Care for Children with Special Needs Program is for children under 21 with one or more of the following conditions:

    • Cerebral palsy
    • Muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular disorders
    • Intellectual disabilities, including Down Syndrome
    • Dental care for organ transplant recipients (pre- and post-transplant)

    Learn more on the program’s eligibility and application page. For more information, fill out the program’s Contact Us form, email hf@hfgrotto.org or call (614) 933-0711.

  • The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB)

    The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) promotes vision and eye health across Illinois. ISPB provides:

    • Eye care education programs and information
    • Youth replacement glasses and low-vision equipment reimbursement services
    • Research grant opportunities
    • Speakers and screening events

    For questions, please contact ISPB at efineman@preventblindness.org or (312) 363-6029.

  • The Journey Through Diagnosis: A Guide for Families of Children with a Genetic Condition

    Midwest Genetics Network provides an online guide featuring information, resources and support to help guide families whose child has been diagnosed with a genetic condition. It is written from the family perspective and includes information they felt was important when facing a new diagnosis.

    Midwest Genetics Network (MGN) is one of seven federally funded Regional Genetics Networks (MGN). MGN unites patients, families, geneticists, genetics professionals, primary care providers, payers and public health experts from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin to improve equity in access to genetic services for medically underserved populations.

    This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

  • The KASE Project

    The KASE Project aims to raise awareness and support for autism through community outreach in the Springfield area. Its programs include:

    • PECS (Picture Exchange Communication) at the Park – an initiative to install picture communication boards at local parks and playgrounds.
    • PALS (Parent Autism Life Support) – a caregiver support initiative for parents, siblings and caregivers of children and adults with autism in Sangamon County. PALS currently hosts a support group for moms.
    • FLASH (Friends Learning and Sharing Hope) – an effort to bring adaptive sports to the Chatham community and beyond.
    • SIBS – A Sibshops program for siblings of children with health, mental health and developmental needs.

    For questions, please contact the KASE Project at info@thekaseproject.org.

  • The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University

    The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center providing elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The Clerc Center Online Community provides best-practice videos, research, toolkits and resources for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and the professionals who work with them.

    Clerc Center resources include:

    • The Language First Parent Guide, a step-by-step roadmap for parents with children who are deaf and hard of hearing
    • Family-focused activities such as American Sign Language (ASL) classes, bilingual storybooks and more

  • The Parent Advocacy App for Families of Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Children

    The Parent Advocacy app is a free application for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing attending Individualized Education Program meetings, 504 Plan meetings and more.

    The app aims to help you understand your child’s rights and prepare to work with the school in your child’s best interests.

  • The Pediatric Heart Network

    The Pediatric Heart Network (PHN) is a group of hospitals across the United States, Canada and other countries that conduct research in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) or pediatric acquired heart disease and adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). PHN studies heart disease in children by offering a network of hospitals and flexible ways for families to participate. PHN also provides important resources for families, providers and researchers. It offers:

    • Information on nutrition and activity
    • Help for coping with chronic illness
    • Support groups
    • Teen-focused resources and information on transitioning to adult care
    • Local or hospital libraries for books or lists of professional organizations
    • Datasets and current and completed study information
    • Information for healthcare professionals and researchers

    For questions, please visit the Pediatric Heart Network’s Contact Us Page.