Resource Directory /

Medical/Health and Wellness Resources

  • Little Friends

    Little Friends, Inc. provides programs and supports to empower children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities, and their families, to live, learn, work and thrive in their communities. Little Friends serves individuals and families throughout ten counties and more than 50 school districts across Illinois. Programs include:

    • Schools, educational and vocational training programs
    • Respite family services
    • Community-based residential living
    • The Center for Autism
    • Inklude Studio
    • The Fun Club
    • Family Support Network

    For questions, visit Little Friend’s Contact Us page or call (630) 355.6533.

  • Living Independently Now Center Incorporated of Southern Illinois (LINC Inc.)

    The Living Independently Now Center of Southern Illinois Incorporated (LINC Inc.) provides support and resources for individuals with disabilities and their families in St. Clair, Monroe and Randolph counties. LINC Inc. has offices in Swansea and Red Bud. Its resources and programs include:

    • Deaf and hard-of-hearing services
    • Assistive technology equipment loan program
    • Community reintegration
    • Computer literacy
    • Mental health resources
    • Peer-to-peer counseling and support groups
    • Respite care program for active duty Air Force and Navy families

    For questions, please contact LINC Inc. at (618) 282-2123 or support@lincinc.org.

  • Local Health Department Directory

    The Illinois Department of Public Health provides a directory of local health departments at www.idph.state.il.us/LHDMap/HealthRegions.aspx.

  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

    The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months).

    Illinois residents with a household income that does not exceed an amount determined annually by the Department of Commerce are eligible. The program determines annual eligibility levels based on available funding and may not exceed 200 percent of the federal nonfarm poverty level.

    See the How to Apply for LIHEAP page for more information. To help find an office serving your area, visit this complete list of LIHEAP application agencies based on county.

    For more program information, check out the LIHEAP frequently asked questions or call the Help Illinois Families Call Center at (833) 711-0374.

  • Luella’s Lodge

    Luella’s Lodge provides resources, retreats, support groups and non-traditional holistic therapies for families grieving the death of a child.

    The non-profit includes a secluded log cabin on 10 acres in Oakwood, Ill., offering a private lake, hiking and biking trails, and other amenities to help families connect with one another through grief and healing.

    For questions, visit Luella’s Lodge website.

  • Lynda P. Bollman Pediatric Program and Resource Guide

    The HAP Foundation’s Lynda P. Bollman Pediatric Hospice Program collaborates with hospital systems, hospices, families and supporting organizations dedicated to optimizing the quality of life for every child in Illinois living with childhood cancer or medical complexities from serious illness, their families and the teams that care for them. The program is focused on providing education, research, advocacy and workforce development to improve the lives of children and families involved in pediatric hospice and/or palliative care.

    The program also provides an online, comprehensive Pediatric Resource Guide to help caregivers, families and practitioners in caring for children with serious illness throughout their journey.

    The guide’s categories include financial support, transportation support, emotional wellness support, respite, camps and more. You may also sort some sections by geographic area. You can also print sections in a PDF version to share with others.

  • Magical Moments Foundation

    Magical Moments Foundation is a wish-granting organization for children with facial differences. Working with the children and their families, the foundation creates experiences and adventures to comfort, inspire, and encourage children who face the world with a difference. Family members, medical professionals, teachers and others may nominate a child for a magical moment. To be eligible, a child must:

    • Have a congenital or acquired facial difference
    • Be between the ages of 3 and 18
    • Not yet received a wish from another wish-granting organization

    Visit the Magical Moments Foundation website for more details.

  • Margaret Hackett Family Program

    Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system (CNS) are congenital disabilities of the physical structure of the brain or spinal cord that occur during fetal intrauterine growth, such as spina bifida, hydrocephalus and other conditions. The Margaret Hackett Family Program (MHFP) at the University of Chicago provides individuals and families with help in diagnosing, understanding, caring for, and addressing the challenges of living with CNS congenital anomalies. MHFP also provides research and research grants.

    The Margaret Hacker Family Program also offers:

    • A monthly, virtual “Connect Group” for individuals and families affected by CNS anomalies
    • In-person quarterly socials
    • In-person events twice a year featuring food, giveaways, fun activities and resources
    • Help with finding resources and medical care

    For questions, please call (773) 795-0622 or email mhfcp@bsd.uchicago.edu.

  • Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center

    Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center provides care to children, ages newborn to 21, with complex medical needs. Services also include caregiver training to feel confident in taking care for their child when he/she transitions homem, and both transitional and respite care.

    To learn more about the Maryville Children’s Healthcare Center, please call (773) 205-3606.

  • Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Digital Library

    The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Digital Library serves the MCH community by providing a wide array of evidence-based information and resources to help strengthen and support State Title V programs, community agencies, educators, students, researchers, policymakers and families. The MCH Digital Library provides quick access to evidence-based/informed resources and programs to support states in developing, implementing, and evaluating Evidence-based Strategic Measures (ESMs) in support of their National Performance Measure (NPM) efforts.

    MCH Digital Library resources include:

    • Seminal and historic materials from federal, state and local programs
    • Resource guides
    • Professional resources
    • School and family resources
    • Title V toolkits

    Visit MCH Digital Library’s FAQ page to learn more about how to use the website.