Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
West40 Community Resources in West Cook County
West40 serves 38 school districts and three co-ops in West Cook County. West40 provides a wide range of in-school advocacy, student-centered programs and links to community resources to help students and the people surrounding them succeed.
West40 offers:
- A community resource page with links to help with food, mental health needs, special education and more
- The Heart 2 Heart Program for students in grades K-12 in the Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP)
- Family engagement, immigration and other networking and support resources
Call (708) 449-4284 or use the West40 Contact Us form for more information.
For parents and teachers who wish to learn more about autism to better support children and families in the autism community, the Illinois Early Learning Project (IEL) provides “What is Autism?”
This question-and-answer style document includes information about the prevalence and defining characteristics of autism, community- and school-based supports and links to additional resources.
The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) Wheelchair Maintenance Guide offers basic tips for maintaining your wheelchair and keeping it in good working order.
Contact NCHPAD for more information at nchpad@uab.edu or (866) 866-8896.
When Your Child Has a Heart Defect: Planning Ahead for Lifelong Heart Health
Children with congenital heart defects and disease (CHD) will need lifelong care from congenital heart experts. The Adult Congenital Heart Association provides this brochure to help parents of children born with CHDs support their child’s lifelong heart health.
The Will County Health Department provides comprehensive public health programs, primary health care, and dental services for medically underserved residents.
For appointments or questions, please visit the Contact Us page on the Will County Health Department’s website.
Wings of Mercy is a nonprofit organization that provides free long-distance air transportation to medical centers for individuals with serious or rare illnesses. Wings of Mercy coordinates trips with volunteer pilots for patients traveling to or from a location in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana or Illinois.
Learn more about Wings of Mercy and apply for a flight.
For all questions, fill out the Wings of Mercy contact form or call (616) 396 – 1077.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy.
The WIC page on the Illinois Department of Human Services’ website provides details about WIC services, who can receive these services and how to apply for WIC benefits.
World Relief Chicagoland is a not-for-profit agency providing services to refugees and immigrants in Aurora, Chicago and DuPage County. World Relief Chicagoland provides financial, emotional, and cultural support to refugees from around the world.
World Relief Chicagoland programs and services include:
- An Immigrant Resource Hub in multiple languages
- Immigration legal services
- Workforce development
- Adult education
- Children and youth support
- Mental health services
Youth, Adolescent and Young Adult Suicide Prevention
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has developed a “Youth, Adolescent and Young Adult Suicide Prevention” webpage to help family members and others prevent suicide by knowing:
- The facts about suicide
- Who is at risk
- Warning signs specific to youth, adolescents and young adults
- Protective factors