Medical/Health Resources
New to Seizures and Epilepsy Toolkit
Hearing about epilepsy and seizures for the first time can be frightening and confusing. The Epilepsy Foundation’s “New to Seizures and Epilepsy Toolkit” provides a starting point for individuals, parents and caregivers to learn about:
- What epilepsy is
- Available resources
- How to make the most of doctors’ visits
- How to take control of seizures
Individual fact sheets on topics including seizure first aid and developing your own seizure response plan are also available. All materials are available in English and Spanish.
Newborn Screening: IDPH Genetics Program
This explains the Illinois newborn genetic screening program.
NORD: National Organization for Rare Disorders
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) offers support, information and a variety of events for clinicians, researchers, patients and families affected by rare diseases.
NORD’s Resource Center provides patients and caregivers with free webinars, fact sheets, infographics, links to support and advocacy groups, and referrals for many rare disorders.
NORD’s RareCare Program website provides a list of financial assistance programs that can help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford.
Nurse-Family Partnership of Sangamon County
Nurse-Family Partnership of Sangamon County, provided by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, serves first-time parents in Sangamon County to help improve pregnancy outcomes, child health and development, and economic self-sufficiency.
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) creates positive outcomes through nurse home visitors who work with families from pregnancy until the child’s 2nd birthday. Individuals may qualify for NFP of Sangamon County if they are less than 28 weeks pregnant and have financial, social or health risk factors such as:
- Loss of household income or an inability to pay for living expenses
- Chronic health condition(s) or mental health concerns
- Domestic violence
- Transportation or access to care difficulties
No proof of income is required for enrollment. Referrals can be made by providers, nurses, community services and individuals by calling (217) 545-0175, emailing at siunfp@siumed.edu or using IRIS (integrated referral and intake system) or Touch Works “SIU Nurse-Family Partnership”
The Oley Foundation is a non-profit home nutrition therapy community and advocacy group working to enrich the lives of people living with home IV nutrition or tube feeding. The Oley Foundation provides a wide range of resources covering education, community, awareness and innovation.
Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation – Ollie’s Branch
The Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation (OHHF) offers a variety of information, resources and mental health support for families caring for children with pediatric heart conditions and heart disease. OHHF resources include:
- Free mental health services through Ollie’s Branch. All sessions are completely free regardless of insurance status.
- Financial support for families whose heart warrior is currently inpatient or has been admitted within three months of the request. OHHF Community Outreach requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and can help with housing, utilities, transportation, medical bills, and more.
OHHF’s mental health access program is open to heart-warrior families anywhere in Illinois. Financial support requests may come from anywhere in the United States.
OneSight is a nonprofit committed to ending the global vision care crisis. Through OneSight’s OnSite Voucher Program, eligible patients can receive glasses free of charge. See OneSight’s frequently-asked question page for more details.
Oracle Health Pediatric Grants
Oracle Health Foundation’s pediatric grants connect children to needed care when finances stand in the way. Applications are accepted from the United States and through select international providers.
The pediatric grants cover a wide variety of clinical, equipment, travel and lodging and vehicle modification costs related to children’s healthcare needs.
Funding criteria include that the child must be 18 years of age or younger (individuals up to 21 with developmental disabilities may also be considered). You can find more details on the Oracle website on how to request a pediatric grant.
OutCare aims to be a comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ healthcare, offering provider and healthcare resource directories.
OutCare’s provider directory provides a list of providers who understand LGBTQ+ needs.
Package of Hope for NICU Families
Lily’s Hope Foundation offers free customized care packages to families with premature babies either in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or when they are being discharged.
Its Package of Hope program provides packages customized to a family’s specific needs. A sibling care package is also available.
Packages are shipped throughout the United States based on availability. One Package of Hope per family.