Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center
The Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center, funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, educates parents and caregivers of children with special needs on the importance of proper child passenger safety. The Special Needs Child Passenger Resource Center’s main location is at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. A satellite site is located at LaRabida Children’s Hospital, in Chicago. Its services include:
- A resource center for nurseries and organizations across Illinois that provides over-the-phone and in-person consultation and guidance for proper car seat usage and optimum safety.
- Education to parents, groups, hospital staff and certified child passenger safety technicians on changes in national guidelines and new seat choices.
- Proper selection, installation and fitting of special needs restraints for parents and their children.
- A short-term loan program to provide seats to parents in need.
Learn more on the Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center website.
The Special Needs Mom Squad is a non-profit organization based in Lombard. It aims to provide a safe and supportive community where moms of children with special needs can connect, access resources and find emotional and mental support.
The organization helps moms and families through:
- Sensory-friendly events throughout the year
- A safe space where moms can share their stories and feel heard
- Information and resources for understanding their child’s condition
For questions, please contact the Special Needs Mom Squad at (630) 258-7664 or info@specialneedsmomsquad.com.
Special Needs Registry – Mascoutah
Mascoutah Emergency Medical Services (EMS), area police departments and St. Clair County coordinate the Special Needs Registry public safety program. Information in the Special Needs Registry will help first responders locate, understand, prepare for, and prioritize their response during evacuations, disasters, or other emergency situations for people with disabilities and other challenges.
View and print the Special Needs Registry Form from the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency. Registry forms are also available at the EMS department, Three West Main St., in Mascoutah.
For questions, please contact Mascoutah EMS at (618) 566-2976, ext. 109.
Special Needs Resource Project
The Special Needs Resource Project provides information and ideas for parents of children with chronic health issues and disabilities. topics include education, housing design, accessibility and remodeling, ramps, transition to adulthood and more.
Special Olympics School of Strength
Special Olympics, in partnership with WWE and Special Olympics athletes, provides a free fitness School of Strength video series for athletes in their teens and late 20s. The series features workout videos with varying levels of difficulty in flexibility, strength, balance and endurance exercises to encourage athletes to commit to a lifetime of fitness habits.
Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding in Southern Illinois
Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding (SES) at Giant City Stables provides opportunities for people with physical and/or emotional disabilities to improve their well-being through riding and working with horses. Children age 4 and up and adults are welcome.
SES at Giant City Stables is a non-profit organization. Scholarships and grants are available for eligible families. For more information, please call (618) 529-4110 or email rachelle@sestherapy.com.
Springfield Office of Community Relations Resources
The Springfield Office of Community Relations provides information on where to find help with homelessness, rental and utility assistance, micro-pantries and more.
You can also contact the Springfield Office of Community Relations at (217) 789.2270 or Community.Relations@springfield.il.us
St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago
St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago provides dental care for children and adults with special needs. The Dental Center provides:
- Two operating rooms specifically for oral rehabilitation
- Dentists and surgeons trained to provide complex care, including careful and various levels of sedation
- Services from routine exams and cleanings to advanced orthodontics, crowns, urgent root canals and more
- Help with insurance and payment options
Please contact St. Bernard’s Dental Center at Dental@stbh.org or call (773) 962-3976 for more information.
St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry in Bettendorf, IA
The St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry provides emergency food to families in need who reside in the food pantry service zone. Visitors are provided with a pre-packed box of food items, along with milk, eggs, and protein. Visitors are encouraged to schedule visits every 30 days, but can return each week for bread and fresh vegetables that may be available.
St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry is at 1705 Oak Street. The pantry is open on:
- Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
For questions, please call (563) 355-4161.
The St. Louis Dental Center offers comprehensive special care dentistry for patients with intellectual, physical, and emotional disabilities, as well as other special healthcare needs. It is a partnership of A.T. Still University (ATSU) and Affinia Healthcare.
The center’s special care suites include a wheelchair lift. The center accepts Medicaid and most dental insurance plans. Discounts are available to uninsured patients.
If you have any questions or need more information, please visit St. Louis Dental Center’s Contact Us page online.