University of Illinois Chicago - UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children

A DSCC participant family of four poses with Santa Claus in front of a festive holiday photo backdrop in DSCC's Mokena Regional Office

Celebrate the holidays with our list of inclusive, sensory-friendly events happening across Illinois.

The holiday season is a time for joy, connection and shared traditions. For individuals with sensory sensitivities, medical complexities and other disabilities, typical celebrations may not always feel comfortable or accessible.

Every family deserves the chance to enjoy the season in ways that support their children and loved ones’ needs and allow for meaningful moments together.

We’ve gathered a list of inclusive and sensory-friendly holiday events happening throughout Illinois. These activities can help you experience the magic of the season at a pace and environment that works best for your family.

There are sensitive Santa opportunities, Mr. and Mrs. Deaf Claus, light displays, low-sensory celebrations, accessible theater performances and other welcoming events for children and adults with special healthcare needs.

You can check out our Special Events page for the full roundup of activities. Just like Santa’s list, be sure to check it at least twice as we continue to add events!

Please note that the University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is not involved in the organization or scheduling of these holiday events. If you have questions about a specific event, please contact the event sponsor or organizer.

Featured Events

The Secret Sleigh Project coordinates volunteers to provide in-home Santa visits to children who are medically fragile nationwide. See our Secret Sleigh event listing for more details on how to request a visit.
Autism Speaks and Cherry Hill Programs will provide free sensory-friendly Santa experiences at multiple shopping centers in Illinois on Dec. 7. You must sign up to attend. Photo packages will be available to buy.

See our Santa Cares listing for more details. Be sure to select “Santa Cares”, “Caring Santa”, or “Sensitive Santa” when checking your location. Event dates and times may vary. Please check your mall location to confirm your date and time.
Enjoy a movie on the big screen with the lights up, lower sound and the freedom to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing. Visit the following sites to find more details and a theater near you:
Looking for holiday light displays to walk, wheel, or drive through? Maybe a parade, cookie walk or festival is more your style? Check out the websites and listings below to help plan your holiday adventures (note that some events may not be sensory-friendly):

Chicago and Northern Illinois

Check out WTTW’s list of holiday light displays and experiences. Kidlist also offers a huge list of Chicagoland drive-through and walk-through displays to help you get into the holiday spirit.

Other Chicagoland sensory-friendly activities include:

Central Illinois

Inclusive holiday parties are happening in central Illinois, such as:

For more ideas, check out Chambanamoms.com’s roundup of holiday season fun for families and Visit Springfield.

Southern Illinois

There are many hometown holiday parades, concerts and festivals throughout the area. You can check Southern Illinois Families (SI Families) and Southernmost Illinois for lists of events.

Inclusive activities include:

Have an Event to Share?

If you know of an inclusive or sensory-friendly event to include in our list, please email us at dscc@uic.edu.

Resources to Recharge

The hustle of the holiday season can feel overwhelming.

There are resources available if you need to step back and take a deep breath.

You can search our website for support groups and helpful webinars. On Dec. 11, the “How to Keep from Kicking Santa Claus – Tips for Managing Holiday Stress” webinar will feature practical tips for relieving stress, preventing meltdowns and strategies for creating your own fun.

Our Caregiver Mental Health Toolkit is also a great resource during the holidays and beyond.

Happy Holidays!

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.

Explore the Caregiver Mental Health Toolkit

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:

Meet our Home Care Family Outreach Associate

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:

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!

Graphic announcing, "We're on Instagram!" There is confetti and @uicdscc is in bright yellow.

Join us as we grow our online community to share resources, family stories and more.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is now on Instagram!

Follow @UICDSCC to stay connected and find:

Helpful resources and tips for navigating care and services
Family stories that celebrate our participants’ strength and unique experiences
Upcoming events and learning opportunities
Encouragement and inspiration from families and DSCC team members across the state

Follow @UICDSCC on Instagram

Our Instagram page is another way we’re working to keep you informed, supported and connected to the information and resources you need.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Canned food goods stacked together in multiple rows

DSCC can help our participant families find food pantries and other resources as the federal government shutdown continues.

UPDATED on Nov. 14, 2025 – The Illinois Department of Human Services says it’s working to distribute full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits now that the federal government shutdown has ended.

IDHS expects the remaining benefit payments to be made over the coming days, with all SNAP recipients receiving their full November benefits by Nov. 20.

To check your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card balance, visit IDHS: Illinois Link Card or call the Illinois Link Help Line at (800) 678-LINK (5456).

SNAP recipients can still use their benefits left on cards from previous months.

Visit snapfederalimpact.illinois.gov for the most up-to-date information from IDHS and to find food in your community.

Resources for Where to Find Food

If your family is affected by this change or needs food support, there are many local and statewide resources available:

These resources can help families locate nearby food pantries, meal programs and other nutrition supports. You can also find more information about local food pantries and other resources in our online Resource Directory.

If you have questions or need more assistance, please contact your Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) Care Coordinator. We are here to help!

A close-up of dark-skinned hands holding a cell phone and touching the screen

Details about our updated phone menu to help families more quickly connect with our team

It’s important that you can reach the right team member whenever you need help or have questions.

We want to share our updated phone menu to help you more quickly connect with our staff.

Our updated phone menu options are:

Press 1 for Customer Service
Press 3 to Dial by Extension
Press 4 for Language Line

Please note: If you need to reach a staff member directly by their extension, you must first select option 3 (“Dial by Extension”).

Entering the extension at the start of your call will automatically connect you with our Customer Service team. Option 2 (the old Language Line) is no longer available.

We understand this change may be new and want to ensure you can get to the right person without any confusion. If you have questions or need assistance, our Customer Service team is happy to help explain these options when you call.

Our toll-free number, (800) 322-3722, remains the simplest and fastest way to reach anyone at DSCC.

Saving our toll-free (800) number and updating your Care Coordinator’s extension number in your phone’s contact list can help:

Prevent you from mistaking our calls as spam, ensuring you receive important updates and support from your care coordination team
Save time when you need to call us for assistance or have questions
Ensure smoother communication whenever you need support or would like to share feedback

You may also reach us electronically through our general dscc@uic.edu email address or our Contact Us or Request a Callback forms on our website.

Save Time With the DSCC Family Portal

Our DSCC Family Portal is also available to help you communicate and share information more easily with your care coordination team.

You can use the Family Portal to:

Send messages
Sign documents
View important letters
See a list of providers and much more

To help you get started, we’ve created several tip sheets and videos for how to use the Family Portal. You can find these resources on our website’s Family Portal page.

If you have trouble accessing the Family Portal or need other support, please email dsccexternalhelp@uic.edu. A designated DSCC staff person will help you as soon as possible.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this helpful tool!

Healthcare billing statement with a calculator, stethoscope and pen

Find out what our participant families can expect as we continue to roll out CarePay, our new claims processing system

We want to share our progress as we implement a new claims system and explain what this change means for you.

In May, the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) launched our new claims processing system called CarePay. We developed CarePay to offer faster and more efficient claims processing.

We are continuing to work through the initial rollout and its related issues. Here is what our participant families can expect and need to know:

For Core Program Families

As we move to CarePay, you may experience some temporary delays with our claims processing. It could take up to 30 days for us to pay a claim.

If you or your child’s provider has been waiting for a claim payment for longer than 30 days, please contact us. We can verify that we have properly received your claim submission and investigate any issues.

If you have experienced a significant delay with a claims payment, please bring it to the attention of your care coordination team so we can help you.

For Home Care Program Families

We are continuing to issue payments to nursing agencies at the updated 2025 rates. The rate increase received the necessary federal approvals in April, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2025.
We continue to work with our claims system developers on a plan for issuing “top-off” payments for adjusted claims we received between January and when CarePay went live.
It is important for your nursing agency to double-check the accuracy of the claims it submits for reimbursement as we process these payments.

We understand that timely claims processing is important to you and your providers. We’re committed to resolving any issues as quickly as possible and ensuring you receive the support you need.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work through this transition.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (800) 322-3722.

A diverse group of four students, including a young woman in a wheelchair, gathered in a college library and enjoying discussion

The council is a great opportunity to share your voice and help improve transition support for youth across Illinois.

Calling all teens and young adults with special healthcare needs in Illinois!

Would you like to make a difference? Your voice can help shape programs and services for youth like you across the state.

We are looking for new members to join our Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

The YAC is an opportunity to share your feedback and help improve planning for the transition to adulthood. You can also strengthen your leadership skills and connect with other youth.

As a YAC member, you can:

Learn about and help improve how the transition to adulthood works for Illinois youth with special healthcare needs
Help us gain a better understanding of your and your peers’ transition needs
Give a voice to what matters most to you
Gain valuable leadership and advocacy experience
Expand your network

The council is open to all Illinois youth ages 15 to 24 with special healthcare needs.

You do not need to be a Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant to join.

How to Join and Learn More

Members must complete an online application to join. (The application is also available in Spanish.)

Visit our Youth Advisory Council page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

You can also see the YAC flyer for more details:

If you have questions, please contact Claire Cook, DSCC’s Title V Program Transition Specialist, at clairer3@uic.edu or (800) 322-3722, ext. 21812.

Your perspective matters!

DSCC is proud to sponsor the expanded eHomeCare program to help families and home nurses improve their care knowledge and refresh their skills

We are excited to help expand a free online training program on how to care for children with complex medical needs at home.

Research shows that the number of children in need of medically complex care at home is steadily growing. With this growth, there is an urgent need for current and accessible educational resources to ensure the quality and safety of care for these children.

We’ve also heard from families and home nurses that they need a way to expand their knowledge about care in the home and refresh their skills.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is proud to sponsor the expanded eHomeCare program to help meet this need and equip caregivers with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality care.

The eHomeCare program provides comprehensive, evidence-based information on the care of children with complex medical needs at home. The training is for:

Family members and caregivers of children with complex medical needs
Nurses working in home-based environments
Physicians
Respiratory therapists
Students from health professions
Anyone interested in learning more about caring for children with complex medical needs.

The eHomeCare program consists of eight on-demand courses to enhance the knowledge, skills and confidence of home care providers in the following areas:

Caring for children with a tracheostomy with or without a ventilator
Central line care
Dialysis in home
Infection control
Setting boundaries in the home
Skin care
Range of motion
Daily care activities for children

The courses aim to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance caregivers’ confidence and competence in managing both routine and emergency situations.

Please note that the completion of these training courses alone is not enough to demonstrate proficiency in skills that require specialized care (such as caring for a trach, ventilator or central line). If you are interested in becoming trained to provide these cares, please talk to your child’s medical team or home nursing agency.

Parents, extended family members, caregivers and others can use these modules to learn and refresh different skills for caring for their medically complex child in the home setting.

To learn more about the courses and enroll, visit the eHomeCare Online Training Program website.

After participating in the eHomeCare courses, individuals will be able to:

Describe best practices for providing care and managing common issues for children requiring complex medical care at home.
Recognize signs and symptoms of complications and determine appropriate responses when caring for children requiring complex medical care at home.
Demonstrate enhanced confidence and competence in providing care for children requiring complex medical care at home.
Collaborate effectively with healthcare team members to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for children requiring complex medical care at home.

Free continuing education credits are available.

If you have trouble enrolling in the course or need help, please email help@icep.wisc.edu.

The eHomeCare Program originally started as one course focused on trach and vent care through a partnership of several Wisconsin-based nursing schools and hospitals.

DSCC provided funding and collaboration to expand the eHomeCare training program in response to family feedback on the need for more education and training on caring for children with complex medical needs at home.

We partnered with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to fund the project.

DSCC team members worked with eHomeCare developer Dr. Kim Whitmore and her team at Ujima United to add more courses to the training in collaboration with the Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

We hope the expanded eHomeCare training modules will be a valuable resource for families, caregivers and everyone involved in their children’s complex care at home.

A nurse holds a laughing boy with cerebral palsy

New approval process for respite care for individuals enrolled in the MFTD waiver begins on Sept. 1

Families enrolled in the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver) will see a new approval process for respite nursing services.

This change will help make respite nursing services more respectful of your wishes.

Starting Sept. 1, 2025, nursing agencies must get your permission and official approval from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) before providing respite care to your child. This means a nursing agency or respite facility cannot use your respite hours unless you ask for them and agree to the plan.

Why This Change Is Important

We are making this change because families shared concerns that agencies and/or facilities used their respite care hours without their knowledge or permission. We want to make sure:

You are always in control of when and how your family uses respite care.
Respite services follow Medicaid and MFTD waiver rules.
You know exactly how many respite hours are used and when.

What You Need to Know

Each year, families in the MFTD waiver get 336 hours of respite care.
Respite care is only available if the legally responsible adult (LRA) asks for it.
Nursing agencies cannot use respite hours without your clear permission.
If you request respite, the agency must fill out a form and get approval from DSCC before care begins.
Respite hours don’t roll over to the next year and can’t be used as overtime.

If you think your child needs respite care, talk to your nursing agency about how many hours you want and when you need them. Please give them as much notice as possible (at least two business days before you need the care).

Your nursing agency will then contact DSCC to submit your request.

If something comes up at the end of the month and you need extra help, please talk with your nursing agency. They can work with you to request respite.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your DSCC Care Coordinator. They are here to support you through this process.

Thank you for your cooperation and partnership!

The green Sensory Station banner that's decorated with sunflowers and posted outside the entrance to the Sensory Station building on the Illinois State Fair fairgrounds

DSCC team members will be at the fair’s Sensory Station on Aug. 7-10 and help during special sensory-friendly Sunflower Hours on Aug. 9

We are excited to once again partner with the Illinois State Fair to support inclusive, accessible fun for families!

The 2025 Illinois State Fair is happening in Springfield from Aug. 7-17.

Our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) team members will be working at the fair’s Sensory Station. The fair is also offering sensory-friendly Sunflower Hours and other programming to make the fair a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.

DSCC at the Sensory Station

Thursday, Aug. 7, to Sunday, Aug. 10
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Our DSCC team will be at the fair’s Sensory Station from Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 10.

The Sensory Station is inside the Emmerson Building, just off Main Street and Brian Raney Avenue in the center of the fairgrounds. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. It is an air-conditioned, dedicated quiet zone with activities and resources to help visitors regroup and refocus.

The Sensory Station’s features and activities include:

Calming pods
Noise-canceling headphones
Foam block pit
Stuffed animal “petting zoo”
Coloring station and more!

These tools and activities are for children and adults who need help processing the sights, smells, noises and crowds at the fair.

Nearby, the fair’s First Aid Station has rooms that families can use for adult changing stations as well as tube feedings and other needs. Volunteers from SIU Medicine operate the First Aid Station in the Emmerson Building Annex, across from the Dairy Building on Central Avenue. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Our DSCC team will also have a tent outside the Sensory Station on these four days. We will have coloring activities and information about our programs and services for families. Be sure to stop by and see us!

Sunflower Hours

Saturday, Aug. 9
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Enjoy a quieter fair experience during Sunflower Hours on Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. During this time, the fair will adjust certain programs and activities to create a more calming environment for children and adults with sensory processing sensitivities.

The fair has Sunflower Hours stickers available for families to use during this timeframe. This sticker allows fair visitors with sensory sensitivities to enjoy select amusement rides for free during the Sunflower Hours. Riders must have the Sunflower Hours sticker and an adult and/or caregiver accompanying them.

DSCC has a limited number of stickers available for our program participants. To request a Sunflower Hours sticker, please email dscc@uic.edu with your name and your participant’s name by Aug. 1.

We will send stickers on a first-come, first-served basis.

All families may visit the Sensory Station during the Sunflower Hours event to get more stickers. The stickers will be available while supplies last.

Conservation World, located at the fairgrounds’ Eighth Street entrance, will also host Sunflower Hours on Aug. 9 and Aug. 12 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Fairgoers can explore the great outdoors in a more peaceful and sensory-friendly setting during these times.

Social Story and Other Resources

The Illinois State Fair has a social story to help you plan your visit to this year’s event. It is a step-by-step guide to help parents and caregivers explain what to expect during a visit to the Illinois State Fair.

You can find the social story and more details about the Sensory Station, Sunflower Hours, the entertainment schedule and more on the Illinois State Fair website.

We are proud to help support greater accessibility and inclusion at the 2025 Illinois State Fair.

Check out the video below to see more photos and activities at the Sensory Station:

For more information about other sensory-friendly activities and events for children and families throughout Illinois, please visit our Events page and follow us on Facebook.

Create Holiday Magic with Inclusive Fun for Everyone!