Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Talking to Children About Racial Bias
The “Talking to Children About Racial Bias” page from HealthyChildren.org provides information on understanding how racial bias works in children as well as strategies to help them deal with and react to racial differences.
Talking to Children About Tragedies and Other Traumatic News Events
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents, teachers, child care providers, and others who work closely with children to filter information about crises and present it in a way that their child can accommodate, adjust to and cope with. HealthyChildren.org provides information on where to start and how to provide the right support in this article, “Talking to Children About Tragedies and Other Traumatic News Events.”
Talking with Children During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a tip sheet for caregivers, parents, and teachers on talking with children during infectious disease outbreaks.
SAMHSA’s tip sheet provides information for toddlers to teens and includes:
- Possible reactions
- Talking with children and youth in different age groups
- Supporting children and managing their responses
- Self-care
- More resources
Taller de José is an agency that helps individuals navigate the social services system. It links individuals with a bilingual Compañera/o, or “Companion,” who will listen, identify goals and help find needed services. The organization collaborates with other agencies to provide social services and support, including financial, domestic violence, immigration, counseling, health and legal assistance.
Taller de José serves Cook County residents.
Tazewell County Health Department (TCHD) provides clinics, mental health resources, community services, environmental programs and more to help all residents of Tazewell County make healthy choices and live healthy lives. TCHD provides services in Pekin and Tremont.
The Tazewell County Public Health 2025 Guide to Services provides a downloadable list of services, contact numbers, and when and where the services are offered.
The Child Neurology Foundation provides a telehealth tip sheet to help families and children prepare for video or phone appointments and make them as comfortable and successful as possible.
COVID-19 testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and lowering your chances of spreading the virus to others. Visit the Testing for COVID-19 page on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on the types of COVID tests, how to get a test, and how to interpret your results.
Please note we share this resource for information purposes only. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) does not manage or coordinate COVID-19 testing programs. Please use the contact information on the website provided.
The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center
The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center works with families and professionals to address questions and concerns about the health of children and youth with special healthcare needs and disabilities under the age of 22. The center uses its team’s extensive parental and professional experience to help other families access resources, communicate with medical providers and raise children at home in their communities.
The center offers individual assistance for questions about Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, insurance, Medicaid waivers, disability programs, special education and more. The center also helps families connect with local, regional, statewide and national partners for support, information sharing and skill building.
For more information, call (815) 464-1832 ext. 1017, or (866) 931-1110. For information in Spanish, call (800) 588-7002
The Arc’s Virtual Program Library
The Arc’s Virtual Program Library is a free hub full of on-demand activities that people with disabilities, and their families and service providers can do at home.
Topics include arts, community and life skills, health and wellness, virtual clubs, and more. Service providers can also find and share resources to facilitate or deliver live, remote programming for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP)
The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Network is a collaboration of five universities and 10 organizations that together operate 20 centers across the state to provide services to children, families, educators, childcare providers, and medical professionals.
Illinois residents can participate in TAP’s Advocating for Supports to Improve Service Transitions (ASSIST) Training Program. The training features twelve modules focused on helping families advocate for adult services on behalf of their child or young adult on the autism spectrum. Each module features an expert-led presentation and time for discussion.
Topics include:
- Guardianship and alternatives to guardianship
- Medicaid waiver services
- Social Security benefits
- Health insurance
- Special needs trusts
- Post-secondary education and employment