Honor National Family Caregivers Month by Caring for Yourself
We’ve developed resources to help you support your mental health, reduce stress and connect with others who understand.
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible dedication of families caring for children and youth with special healthcare needs.
At the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC), we know that caregiving can be both a rewarding and challenging journey.
As you care for others, it’s just as important to take care of your own mental health.
Find Support in Our Caregiver Mental Health Toolkit
Our Caregiver Mental Health Toolkit can help you find the support and strategies you need to recharge and stay well.
This online resource offers practical tips, self-care strategies and mental health resources to help you navigate the unique demands of caregiving while prioritizing your own health and well-being.
The Caregiver Mental Health Toolkit includes:
- Stress management strategies and techniques to help you cope with tough times.
- Self-care tips and practical ways to nurture your own physical, emotional and mental health.
- Mental health support resources to connect you with professional help and support networks when needed.
- Apps, online tools, videos and podcasts you can access anytime.
We created this toolkit with input from our Family Advisory Council, which shared the importance of mental health support for caregivers like you.
Whether you’re a parent caring for a child, a family member supporting a loved one or anyone in a caregiving role, we encourage you to explore this free resource.
Connect With a Fellow Caregiver for Support
One of the most powerful supports you can have is a connection with another parent who truly understands.
We have a Home Care Family Outreach Associate on our team who understands the unique challenges of caring for a loved one with complex medical conditions firsthand.
Our Home Care Family Outreach Associate works to create a community for caregivers within DSCC and offer heartfelt support, connection and empowerment.
You can ask your DSCC care coordination team to refer you to the HCFOA. You can also email a request to speak with the HCFOA at DSCC-FamilySupport@uic.edu.
Learn more about Erica Stearns, our current HCFOA, on our Home Care Family Outreach page and in the short video below:
Take a Break with Caregiver Coloring Sheets
We’ve also designed four coloring pages to help caregivers relax and take time to relieve stress and practice mindfulness.
There are four designs available in both English and Spanish:
- Lighthouse (Lighthouse in Spanish)
- Sunflowers (Sunflowers in Spanish)
- Hot air balloons (Hot air balloons in Spanish)
- Gears and clock (Gears and clock in Spanish)
These printable pages are a simple way to pause, relax and focus on yourself.
More Mental Health Resources and Support
You can find more mental health resources in our online Resource Directory.
Be sure to also follow our DSCC Facebook page and Instagram page for helpful reminders and tips throughout the rest of the month.
Your DSCC care coordination team is also here to support you. They can listen, help identify your needs and find available services and resources.
As the heart of your child’s care team, we celebrate you this month and always!
In-Depth Simulated Training in Chicago for Families and Caregivers of Children with Complex Medical Needs
This free in-person training will take place Sept. 24-25 at UIC’s Simulation and Integrative Learning Center in Chicago.
Registration is now open for a special in-person training program for the families and caregivers of children with complex medical needs.
This free two-day training will take place Tuesday, Sept. 24, and Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the University of Illinois Chicago Simulation and Integrative Learning (SAIL) Center on the fifth floor at 1220 S. Wood St. in Chicago.
Families have shared the need for more support for parents/caregivers of children with complex medical needs. We are excited to partner with Almost Home Kids to provide this valuable training opportunity. It will offer essential tools and knowledge to help you in your caregiving journey.
You may attend this training if you:
- Are the parent or caregiver of a child in the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver)
- Have prior experience in caring for a child with a tracheostomy (trach) tube and/or a child with a trach tube and ventilator
- Are able to commit to online learning before the in-person learning days
- Can attend both dates to complete the training
The training will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The in-depth curriculum will include:
- Reducing the risk of infection
- Skin care
- Daily care of the child with a tracheostomy and ventilator
- Activity and movement
- Equipment and alarms
- Gastrostomy care and feeding
- Tracheostomy basics
- Respiratory assessment and interventions
- Ventilator training with hands-on practice
- Emergency preparedness
- Caregiver resiliency and well-being
- Simulation learning experience
You can also see the Caregiver Simulated Training flyer for more details.
Please sign up online to participate in the training. There is no cost to attend.
For more information, contact Yolanda Rivera, Nursing Professional Development Specialist and Clinical Educator, at connect@almosthomekids.org or (630) 271-9155, ext. 114.
This training is part of our efforts to use federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to improve support and services for families of children with complex medical needs.
Almost Home Kids (AHK) provides a bridge from hospital to home through an innovative community-based care system for children with medical complexities. Its services include:
- Responding to the needs of families
- Training caregivers
- Advocating for accessibility and inclusion
- Educating healthcare professionals
Almost Home Kids has locations in Chicago, Naperville and Peoria.
Leadership and Education Opportunity for Caregivers Living with Complex Medical Needs
National Consumer Scholars can develop leadership skills and share their experiences to help improve care and services for people with complex health and social needs
A leadership development program is available for caregivers and advocates who live with and/or care for someone with complex medical needs.
The Camden Coalition is accepting applications for its 2023-24 National Consumer Scholars program.
In the National Consumer Scholars program, caregivers and advocates can take part in peer-led leadership development activities. They play an active role in the coalition’s annual conference and bring lessons back to their local communities. Consumer Scholars also work alongside Camden Coalition staff to develop and inform the complex care field.
National Consumer Scholars have firsthand experience living with and/or caring for someone with complex health and social needs. They also have experience working as a consumer/patient advisor/advocate and/or community leader.
The program is open to individuals from across the country who represent many different experiences.
Learn more about the program and how to apply on the National Consumer Scholars program website.
The application deadline is May 31.
For more information, contact Evelyne Kane at ekane@camdenhealth.org.