Resource Directory /

Medical/Health and Wellness Resources

  • Every Step of the Way Resource Center for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

    Every Step of the Way (ESW) takes a hands-on, person-centered approach to providing support, networking opportunities and resources for individuals with mild to profound intellectual disabilities ages 20 and up and their parents/caregivers. ESW seeks to create a community where parents/caregivers in Chicago can:

    • Find resources for recreation, education, health (mental and physical), social and daily living skills, and behavioral intervention services
    • Network with each other
    • Brainstorm and collaborate to create programming and develop opportunities for their adult children
    • Advocate and network to accommodate the needs of their adult child and the adult children in the ESW community

    For questions or more information, contact ESW at (773) 231-6376 or info@esw2022.org.

  • Exceptional Learners Collaborative

    The Exceptional Learners’ Collaborative (ELC) is a special education cooperative and joint agreement between four school districts in Vernon Hills, Ill. (Lake County). The ELC provides services to students with special needs, ages 3 through 22. Its website offers information and resources on transition, employment, housing, mental health, parent advocacy and empowerment, the One Community parent-to-parent support group and more.

    ELC provides services and support in communities including Buffalo Grove, Kildeer, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Prairie View, Hawthorn Woods, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Lake Zurich, Mettawa, Fox Lake, and Spring Grove.

    If you have any questions, please call (224) 513-6444.

  • FacingDisability

    FacingDisability provides stories, hundreds of resources on paralysis, and up-to-date information on spinal cord injury. The organization works with medical experts from major hospitals, universities and rehabilitation institutions nationwide to provide insight and inspiration. FacingDisability resource topics include:

    • Disability advocates
    • Family and caregiver support
    • Assistive technology
    • Financial assistance and government programs
    • Education and employment

    If you have any questions, please contact FacingDisability at (312) 284-2525 or email info@facingdisability.com.

  • Families, Addiction and Mental Health Network

    The Caregiver Action Network’s Families, Addiction & Mental Health Network (FAM) is committed to helping and supporting caregivers, families, and patients navigate specialized supports and resources.

    FAM recognizes the diversity and specialized support caregivers need to navigate substance use disorders and mental health care. FAM can connect caregivers with tailored tools and news to help navigate the complex mental healthcare landscape and advocate for their loved ones, and take care of their own health. FAM also provides educational articles, webinars, training, and other resources with lessons from fellow caregivers, healthcare professionals, social workers and others.

    For more information, fill out the Contact form on FAM’s website.

  • Family Connections with Pediatrics

    “Family Connections with Pediatrics” is a series of family-written blogs summarizing research articles in Pediatrics Journal. Each blog explains the “scientific literature” findings and what they may mean for families, including:

    • Examples of how the findings apply to real-life situations
    • Suggestions for ways that families and healthcare professionals can work together for the health and well-being of children and families

  • Family Voices “My Language, My Care” Language Access Rights and Services Course

    Family Voices’ “My Language, My Care” is a free online, plain language course to help increase awareness, understanding and use of language access rights and services for families whose preferred language is not English. The course is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and American Sign Language.

    Family Voices’ My Language, My Care course will provide:

    • An understanding of their rights under the law
    • Information about interpreter confidentiality
    • Tools to advocate for high-quality language access services in the healthcare setting
    • A certificate of completion after finishing all six modules of the training course
    • Access to a free toolkit with information from the course in English, Spanish and Chinese

    For questions, contact Family Voices at (781) 674-7224 or use the online Contact Us form.

  • Family Voices Telehealth Toolkit, Tips and New Telemedicine Family Resource Center

    Family-centered telehealth can help children and youth with special healthcare needs and families access health care, improve their experience with health care, reduce stress, improve communication between all team members and across systems, and improve quality of life and well-being. Family Voices features extensive resources to help families and individuals with disabilities better understand, access, prepare for and navigate telehealth appointments.

    These resources are in Spanish and English.

    “Before, During, and After” is a two-part toolkit providing a checklist and worksheet to help prepare for telehealth visits, note questions or key information during a visit, and provide guidance and clear follow-up steps for each appointment.

  • Fathering a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Child: An Onboarding Checklist for Dads

    The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Parent to Parent Committee developed a checklist written by fathers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) for dads or anyone who feels they fulfill this role in a child’s life.

    “Fathering a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Child: An Onboarding Checklist for Dads” provides information and action steps to support and encourage fathers to take an active role in every aspect of their child’s life from the start. The guide shares information from a dad’s perspective on topics including:

    • The ” new dad” learning curve
    • Language and communication
    • School and legal rights
    • Well-being

  • FDA Information: At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests

    The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) provides general information about at-home over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Individuals can use these FDA-authorized tests at home to self-test for COVID.

    This site also provides information about:

    • Who can use the FDA-authorized tests
    • Test expiration dates
    • Other details to decide what test is right for you

  • FDA-Approved Drugs Database

    This FDA-Approved Drugs alphabetical listing covers the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug approvals. You can search by drug name, active ingredient or application number.