Transition Resources
Creative Healing for Youth in Pain
Creative Healing for Youth in Pain (CHYP) is a nonprofit organization serving youth between the ages of 13 and 24 who are experiencing pain, feelings of isolation and loneliness. CHYP provides educational resources, peer connection and exposure to creative healing experiences to help bridge the gap between common healthcare barriers such as cost, geographic location and long wait times for appointments. Resources are available for both youth and their parents.
CHYP resources include:
- Information on the science of pain
- Strategies for breaking the pain cycle
- On-demand webinars for youth and parents
- Monthly open Zoom meetings for youth (ages 13 to 24)
- Small group and Zoom meetings for parents
- Summer camp
Dare2tri is a nonprofit specializing in adaptive sports. It encourages recreation, racing and competition while cultivating a sense of community for all athletes who are not labeled by physical ability but rather their determination and will to succeed.
Dare2tri offers free training opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments throughout the year for children and adults. Its programs include:
- Play for All at Chicago Children’s Museum
- Kids Tri Camp for youth ages 6 and up
- Learn 2 Tri beginner-level training camp
- Multisport clinics and more
DCCC’s Self-Care Skills Assessment for Young Adults
The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) assessment form will help young adults see what they already know about their health, how to use health care and the areas they want to learn more about as they transition to adulthood.
Everyone’s ability to make decisions changes across a lifetime including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning created this handout to help individuals with IDD and their families learn how to make, review and adjust a decision-making plan throughout a person’s life to maximize their ability to make their own decisions.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the same right to make decisions about their lives as people without disabilities. It is important to recognize and respect that right.
This handout from The Arc’s Center for Future Planning provides information about available supports to help people with IDD to make decisions.
Developmental Disabilities Employment
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) seeks to maximize opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to work in competitive integrated employment.
The resources on this website provide the latest information on the Division’s efforts toward employment for people with developmental disabilities. It includes a list of DDD Supported Employment providers that also provide employment services funded by the Division of Rehabilitation Services. The list aims to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities understand the option available to them when searching for an employment supports provider.
Developmental Disabilities Transition Resources for Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois Case Coordination Services (SICCS) provides this Developmental Disability Transition Resources guide to provide an overview of the person-first services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
SICCS serves Alexander, Bond, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White and Williamson counties.
Available services include PUNS (Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services). PUNS is the name for the list of the people in Illinois with developmental disabilities who want or need services but do not yet have funding.
Digital Safety Resources from the Illinois Attorney General
Digital safety encompasses a wide variety of issues related to the use of computers, tablets, cell phones, games, apps and social media. The Illinois Attorney General’s “Stay Connected, Stay Informed website” provides resources for children, teenagers, parents and educators seeking information about digital safety.
Kids, teens, parents and teachers coping with cyberbullying and internet safety issues may also contact an Internet Safety Specialist at:
Disability EmpowHer Network is a non-profit run by and for girls and women with disabilities that connects, motivates, and guides girls and women to learn and develop to their highest potential and have the confidence to lead. The group, based in Rochester, NY, focuses on building skills and community by connecting girls with disabilities with successful women with disabilities to serve as mentors and role models.
Resources and programs include:
- A stories blog
- EmpowHer Camp (a year-long program)
- Letter from a role model
- Get a Mentor
- EmpowHer Expressions, a public speaking and career coaching program
Disability Vote IL provides voting resources and information for the disability community. The site offers updated nonpartisan videos, webinars and information on elections, how to register to vote, and promoting accessibility of voting technology and polling places. The website also includes information about:
- The Be My Eyes app that helps people who are blind or have vision impairments with voting
- Transportation to the polls
- In-person, nursing home and hospital voting
- Important dates