Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Finding Help for Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays
Every child is unique, and some children face extra physical or learning challenges. Parents often have questions about sources of information and support. This Finding Help for Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays resource list from the Illinois Early Learning Project shares information for parents on how to get your child evaluated, how to get special education services for your child and where to find more information to support children with autism, Down syndrome, hearing loss and vision loss.
First Hand Foundation’s pediatric medical grants provide vital financial assistance to uninsured or underinsured children up to age 18. The grants aim to help children receive timely, life-changing treatment that improves their health and quality of life. Families can apply for grants to cover critical medical expenses such as surgeries, prescriptions, medical equipment and travel costs. Each child is eligible for one grant every 12 months.
Learn more about applying for a grant, covered expenses and eligibility on First Hand Foundation’s website.
Applications can be submitted anytime. Grants are reviewed monthly.
For questions, fill out the online Contact Us to Learn More form on First Hand Foundation‘s website.
FIRST.IL Mental Health Program
FIRST.IL is a program of the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health. It is a specialized treatment approach that helps individuals who are between the ages of 14 to 40 and who have had a treated or untreated psychotic illness for no more than 18 months.
The program aims to reduce the symptoms of psychotic illnesses, improve individual and family functioning, promote recovery, reduce the chance of relapse and more.
Eligible diagnoses are schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder or other specified/unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive disorder with psychotic features and PTSD with dissociative symptoms.
Individuals can call the FIRST.IL agency in their service area for an assessment. If the agency determines that FIRST.IL treatment is appropriate, they will expedite an appointment with their team psychiatrist.
flok for Individuals with an Inherited Metabolic Disorder
Formerly known as PKU News, flok provides resources, research, support and an app for individuals with an inherited metabolic disorder and the people and clinicians who care for them. These conditions include Classical Homocystinuria (HCU), Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), Phenylketonuria (PKU), Tyrosinemia and more.
The flok website includes:
- Opportunities to connect and share in person and virtually
- Annual flok Family Camps
- Food science information guided by a staff dietitian and collaborations with partner organizations and Genetic Metabolic Dietitians International
- The flok app for individuals managing an inherited disorder of protein metabolism
For questions, please contact flok at info@flok.org or (973) 619-9160.
Flu: A Guide for Parents of Children or Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions
Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old, and children and adolescents with chronic health conditions are at greater risk for serious flu complications. HealthyChildren.org provides information on how to determine your chid’s risk and what steps to take to protect your family.
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) provides research, resources and advocacy to improve the quality of life and health of people of all ages with food allergy. Food allergy can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. FARE supports food allergy research, education programs for people with and without food allergies, and awareness of healthcare options and treatments.
FARE programs and services also include:
- “Teen Talk,” a monthly virtual hangout for preteens, teens, and young adults with food allergies
- Allergy alerts and ingredient notices
- A Food Allergy Guide, toolkits and other downloadable resources in English and Spanish
- Resources for dieticians and other healthcare professionals
- Recipes
- Support groups
If you have any questions, please contact 1 (800) 929-4040 or complete the Contact Us form on FARE’s website.
Food and Support Programs in Chicago and Cook County
Get help finding food, nutrition programs, job training, and accessing programs at over 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community partners in the Chicagoland area.
Visit the Greater Chicago Food Depository website for more information.
Food Pantries in the Rock Island Area
Catholic Quad Cities offers food pantries and outreach throughout the area. Visit its Works of Mercy page for a list of pantries, services and when each location is open.
FoodFinder’s free website and app display an interactive food assistance map, helping users find their nearest food pantry or other free food programs anywhere in the United States.
- Website: https://foodfinder.us/
- App: “FoodFinder – Fighting Hunger”
- Email: info@foodfinder.us
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources
The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) is a private, non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all children affected by hearing and communication disorders.
Parent resources and programming include:
- Facts about Hearing Loss
- Ages and Stages
- Clinical and Community Outreach
- Music programming
- Music scholarships in the Chicagoland area