Medical/Health Resources
A number of heart conditions can affect children. Some are structural abnormalities they are born with. Others deal with the electrical system that controls the heartbeat.
HealthyChildren.org, the official parenting site of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides numerous articles and information about heart conditions, including common heart defects in children, the challenges faced by parents of children with congenital heart disease, dental care for children with heart conditions and more.
Home Care Physician Letter of Medical Necessity Examples
Physicians must provide current medical reports and details necessary to support the need for in-home nursing and Home Care services for Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participants.
We developed these sample letters of medical necessity for home nursing to help physicians in this process.
For more helpful information on in-home nursing services, visit our Home Care Nursing Information for Families page.
How SSI and SSDI Can Help Patients
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.
PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics as well as understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Many of PAF’s resources are also available in Spanish.
PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.
How to Support a Child with Epilepsy: Information for Parents
“How to Support a Child with Epilepsy: Information for Parents” from HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parenting website, provides tips for encouraging and supporting a child with epilepsy from infancy to adulthood. Topics include:
- Recognizing and treating seizures as early as possible
- Talking to your child’s doctor
- Discussing epilepsy openly and honestly with your child and others
- Finding childcare
- Teens with epilepsy
- Transitioning to adulthood
Additional resources for explaining epilepsy to others, building a care notebook, asking your medical team questions and what to do if your child has a seizure are also available.
IFLOSS is a public-private partnership that aims to improve the oral health of all Illinois residents through advocacy and education.
Illinois Attorney General Health Care Brochure
The Illinois Attorney General Health Care Bureau has a toll-free helpline that allows consumers to ask questions, file complaints or request assistance. Health Care Bureau attorneys conduct investigations and file lawsuits to enforce consumer protection laws. This brochure provides information on how their staff members can assist consumers in many areas, including:
- Denial of coverage or treatment
- Concerns about healthcare providers
- Billing disputes and recovering unfair out-of-pocket expenses
- Navigating the health insurance appeals process
- Understanding your health care rights and consumer protection laws
- Correcting health plan or provider errors
Illinois Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Protection
The Illinois Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Protection responds to consumer complaints in areas including health care services and providers, home repair, identity theft and more. It also enforces related Illinois consumer fraud laws. The division also provides consumer alerts and recalls, and publications and information to help consumers understand their rights and how to protect themselves.
Consumer Protection resources also include:
- Identity theft prevention tips
- Auto buying, financing and repair tips
- Advocating for consumers around health care, medications and public health concerns
- Information on home repair and construction services
- Help for businesses and more
Illinois Cares for Kids provides parents, caregivers, teachers and childcare providers a place to find information on statewide programs related to early learning and development, child care and family well-being in English and Spanish. The website includes information about:
- Child development and education for kids of all ages
- Healthcare coverage and emotional well-being
- Home visiting programs
- Child care subsidy programs
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- “Ready for K” (Ready4K), a statewide text messaging platform offering fun facts and tips on children’s learning and development in multiple languages
Illinois CARES Line (24/7)
If your child is a risk to themselves or others, having a mental health crisis, or if you would like a referral to services for children, youth and families, call the 24-hour Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES) line to talk to a mental health professional.
The CARES line is part of the Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS) program.
Call: (800) 345-9049
TTY: (773) 523-4504
The Illinois Center for Autism (ICA) is a nonprofit, community-based mental health treatment and educational agency serving people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ICA offers a variety of programs designed to support families and help individuals from age 3 through adulthood achieve their highest level of independence at home, school and in the community.
ICA provides education, advocacy, social skills, life skills and vocational training and resources to children ages 3 to 22 in its Special Education Program, individuals 22 and older in its Adult Services Program, and their families in its Client Family Support Services Programs.
ICA serves about nine counties in southern Illinois on a regular basis. These counties include Madison, St. Clair, Bond, Clinton, Washington, Monroe, Fayette, Marion, and Macoupin. The center also provides services in other counties based on where students and families reside.