Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Are You Ready? Preparing for Emergencies: Tips for Families
Information from Family Voices on how families of children with special healthcare needs can prepare for emergencies.
Association for Individual Development (AID)
The Association for Individual Development (AID) serves individuals with developmental, intellectual, physical and/or mental health challenges, those who have suffered a trauma and those at risk. Operating in the greater Fox Valley area and other western suburban counties, AID provides services to address the unique needs of individuals throughout every stage of their lives.
Programs include:
- Autism programs
- Permanent supportive housing and in-home support
- Developmental and vocational training
- Job placement and on-the-job coaching service
- Crisis intervention and victim services
- Mental health treatment
AID is also a sponsor of the Ride in Kane paratransit program in partnership with RTA, Pace, Kane County, and local municipalities and social service agencies.
Association House of Chicago provides services promoting health and wellness, education and economic opportunity. Programs are provided in English and Spanish using a collaborative model that meets participants’ immediate needs while working toward long-term goals.
The Association House of Chicago focuses provides services in five key areas:
- Behavioral Health
- Child Welfare
- Community Health
- High School
- Workforce Development
For questions, please visit the Association House of Chicago’s website.
Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness
Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness is based in Olympia Fields, Ill., and offers community support services that promote healthy lifestyles and help people and families overcome challenges. Its community support services for youth include crisis services and Reporting Centers for Justice-Involved Youth in Cook County.
Aunt Marth’s also provides support for new parents (first-time moms and dads) as well as any parent or family feeling the stress of having a new baby or infant at home. Its support services include home visits and coaching to help parents feel more confident, keep their home safe and get other care and services in their community.
For more details, call (877) 692-8686 or fill out Aunt Martha’s Contact Us form.
Baby Formula Tips and Information – HHS
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website has resources in a variety of languages to help families choose the correct infant formula, and prepare and use it safely.
These resources include information on safe substitutes, formula company contacts and community programs.
The “Be Ready: Tips for Families of Children and Youth With Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN)” toolkit provides videos and infographics in American Sign Language (ASL) and a variety of languages to help families prepare for power outages, floods or other natural disasters that may occur.
The toolkit is available through the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation & Improvement Center (EIIC).
Click here for the ASL version.
BEACON for Illinois Youth and Families Seeking Behavioral Health Services
BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) is a centralized resource for Illinois youth and families seeking services for behavioral health needs. It streamlines the process of finding and accessing behavioral health services to help ensure that every child in Illinois can receive the support they need.
BEACON is available to families, state agency staff and healthcare providers across Illinois:
- Families can use BEACON to find services, get help navigating complicated systems and connect with state programs.
- State agency staff can use the public portal to coordinate care across programs.
To learn more about BEACON, you can:
- Download the BEACON flyer in several languages and find training materials on the Illinois Department of Human Services website.
- Read the BEACON frequently asked questions for more information.
- Watch the instructional video on how to use BEACON.
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
The Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.
The services locator is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Blueprint for Families of Loved Ones With Mental Health Issues
Mental health challenges affect the whole family and are hard on everyone. The Caregiver Action Network provides a Blueprint for Families of Loved Ones With Mental Health Issues.
The guide includes information on discussing mental health with doctors, screening for mental health issues, the value of knowing early diagnosis and intervention, and more.
Bounce Children’s Foundation is a Chicago area non-profit that aims to transform the lives of chronically ill children and their families, shifting all from surviving to thriving. The foundation serves children from birth to 18 years of age.
Bounce’s free programs aim to build the resilience needed to cope with the ongoing, unexpected setbacks that define chronic illness. Programs include family adventures, education to strengthen vital coping skills, donated tickets to high-demand events, themed care packages for families, access to resources, peer support and more.
For any questions, please email info@BounceChildrensFoundation.org or call (844) 626-8623.