Resource Directory /

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.

  • Special Needs Mom Squad

    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

  • 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 a basic guide for parents of children with chronic health issues, disabilities, and special needs.

  • Special Olympics School of Strength

    Special Olympics has created a fitness video series in partnership with WWE for Special Olympics athletes, led by Special Olympics athletes. The fitness campaign targets athletes in their teens and late 20s and features four workout videos with varying levels of difficulty in flexibility, strength, balance and endurance exercises encouraging 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 Mass Transit District and Access Sangamon

    The Springfield Mass Transit District provides free or reduced fare programs for eligible residents with disabilities and seniors. You must meet eligibility requirements and enroll to use the Benefit Access, Access Sangamon or Reduced Fare ID programs. For the latest information, visit www.smtd.org/news.

    • Benefit Access allows program members to ride any fixed-route bus free of charge. If you do not qualify for Benefit Access, you may still be eligible for a reduced fare ID. Apply for the Benefit Access program online on the Illinois Department on Aging’s website.
    • The Reduced Fare ID allows people with disabilities and seniors to ride any fixed-route bus for just under half the price of a normal fare.
    • Access Sangamon provides transportation for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the SMTD fixed-route bus service. Individuals with disabilities must apply to become eligible to use the service.

     

  • 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

  • Springfield Park District – Camp L.E.A.P.

    The Springfield Park District’s Camp L.E.A.P. ( Leisure Education and Adaptive Programming) offers fun, educational, adaptive recreation programs for children and adults with disabilities. Camp L.E.A.P. is a weekly program. Registration deadlines are set as the Friday before the week the participant is attending. Registration for Camp L.E.A.P. summer sessions typically opens in May.

    For more information, contact Andre Hawkins at (217) 585-2941, ext. 2303, or ahawkins@springfieldparks.org.

  • Springfield-Area Micropantries

    The micropantries in Springfield and its surrounding communities in Sangamon County operate independently and allow people to take what they need and leave what they can.

    The City of Springfield provides a a list of micropantries in Springfield and the surrounding area.