Transition Resources
Becoming Self-Reliant: Skills Tips
Benefits.gov is an online resource to help you find federal benefits you may be eligible for in the United States. The Benefit Finder questionnaire can help you find benefits you may be eligible to receive – such as healthcare and medical assistance, financial assistance, loans and disaster relief – and direct you to the agency to apply.
Bilingual Parents Video Library
The Illinois Resource Center has put together a library of videos for bilingual parents with videos in French, Tagalog, Urdu, Arabic, Polish, Spanish and English.
Each video showcases subjects and information relevant to parents, caretakers and community members, such as the role of Bilingual Parent Advisory Committees, financial aid for college, tenant rights, multilingual student rights and more.
Building a Resume: Tips for Youth with Disabilities
PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment provides these tips for young people with disabilities and their families on effective strategies for building the first resume.
RAMP helps people with disabilities learn how to use public transportation in Rockford and Belvidere through a cooperative effort with the Rockford Mass Transit District.
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation (C.E.F.S.) is a non-profit that serves residents in the Illinois counties of Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.
C.E.F.S. aims to help economically and socially disadvantaged people become more self-sufficient. Its support and services include:
- Summer youth program and college scholarships
- Housing programs
- Employment and training services
- Education services
- Food and utility assistance
Visit the C.E.F.S. website for more information.
Center for Disability and Elder Law
The Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cook County. CDEL offers programs and appointments at community sites on matters including:
- Adult guardianship
- Financial and housing stability
- Estate and end-of-life planning
- Divorce
Central Illinois LGBTQ+ Organizations
The University of Illinois Springfield’s Gender and Sexuality Student Services provides a list of advocacy and community groups in central Illinois for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, plus (LGBTQ+) youth.
Central Illinois Public Transit
Central Illinois Public Transit provides reliable and timely transportation that is wheelchair-accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The program serves the counties of Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.
Central Illinois Sled Hockey Association
The Central Illinois Sled Hockey Association (CISHA) is a volunteer, non-profit organization offering recreational and competitive sled hockey for youth and adult players with physical disabilities throughout the central Illinois region.
Families do not pay to participate. CISHA provides sleds, hockey equipment, team jerseys and ice time.