Medical/Health Resources
Flu: A Guide for Parents of Children or Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions
Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old, and children and adolescents with chronic health conditions are at greater risk for serious flu complications. HealthyChildren.org provides information on how to determine your chid’s risk and what steps to take to protect your family.
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources
The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) is a private, non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all children affected by hearing and communication disorders.
Parent resources and programming include:
As of late September 2024, every home in the United States is eligible to order another round of free at-home tests through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) at https://special.usps.com/testkits. You can learn more at www.covid.gov/tests.
- Each order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
- The program will ship orders for free starting Sept. 30, 2024.
Individuals who are blind or have low vision can learn about ordering more accessible at-home COVID-19 tests here.
For those who cannot access the internet or need help placing an order, please call (800) 232-0233 or the TTY line at (888) 720-7489.
If you have COVID-19 tests at home, you can see the full list of extended expiration dates on the Federal food and Drug Administration’s website.
Free Resources for People and Families with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
The JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) has shared this one-page information sheet that lists available resources for those living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts provides reconstructive surgery at no cost to families of children who are uninsured, underinsured, denied procedures as cosmetic or the deductible would be a financial hardship to the family. Surgery weekends are held three times a year at Comer Children’s Hospital.
G-Tube Notebook Videos from Children’s Wisconsin
Children’s Wisconsin’s G-tube Notebook videos offer information and step-by-step help for taking care of a child’s feeding tube. The videos include an introduction to understanding feeding tubes as well as videos specific to caring for and changing tubes. A G-tube refresher class is also available in English and Spanish.
Children’s Wisconsin’s PEG tube video provides information and demonstrations on what to expect after the tube is placed, including:
- Care after surgery and helping the site heal
- Types of PEG tubes
- Tips for caring for and stabilizing the tube
- Primary tube change
- Common problems
Gastrostomy Tube and Feeding Information from Lurie Children’s Hospital
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides resources for understanding and caring for a child’s gastrostomy tube. This webpage also includes an easy-to-download parent guide, “Supporting Nutrition: Understanding Tube Feeding.” The reference guide includes personal stories and information on:
- Administering feedings through the feeding tube
- Changing the dressings and cleaning around the tube
- Problems that may occur with the gastrostomy tube or the insertion site
Please note this information is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be individual circumstances of your child’s healthcare that cause a variation in treatment.
Gender Development Program at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Gender development services at Lurie Children’s are outpatient services aimed at supporting the physical, mental and social health of patients and their families as youth progress through gender identity development. The goal is to keep families informed of their treatment options and support them with medical and behavioral health care along the way.
Get Covered Illinois – The Official Health Marketplace
If you are looking for health insurance for yourself or your family, or if you own a small business or lead a nonprofit organization this website is the official site in Illinois for signing up for health insurance.
Getting the Care You Need: A Guide for People With Disabilities
“Getting the Care You Need: A Guide for People with Disabilities” aims to empower patients with disabilities by explaining their rights to accessible care.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides this resource. It is available in multiple languages, including: