Resource Directory /

Education Resources

  • Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford

    Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford offers community-based, comprehensive services and supports to individuals in the city of Chicago, surrounding suburban Cook County, and the Rockford area. Programs focusing on early learning and disability services include autism services and supports, diagnostic services, early intervention and education programs, teen and young parent services, respite care, employment opportunities, and additional support services.

    Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford services and programs include:

    For more information, visit the Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford’s website contact page.

  • El Valor

    El Valor is a non-profit, community-based organization serving children, people with disabilities and their families in the Chicagoland area. El Valor offers education programs focusing on early education, inclusion, employment and self-sufficiency for individuals of all ages with different abilities.

    It also provides families a variety of enrichment opportunities including certification classes, first aid, parenting seminars and family support groups. Services are available in English and Spanish.

  • Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA)

    This four-year program offers a full-time, post-secondary educational experience to young adults with developmental disabilities. Ages 18-28 high school graduates with disabilities can earn certificates in academics, independent living skills and social/recreational skills.

    190 Prospect Avenue
    Elmhurst, IL 60126-3296
    (630) 617-3752
    elsa@elmhurst.edu

  • EngineerGirl

    EngineerGirl focuses on diversity of thought and the many opportunities engineering represents for girls and women. The EngineerGirl website includes inspiration, information about women engineers and their achievements, “Try This” design challenges, a writing contest, summer study programs for high school students and more. EngineerGirl offers girls interested in problem-solving and engineering.

    Visit its website for information about engineering scholarships and the EngineeringGirl annual writing contest.

  • ERIC: Education Resources Information Center

    ERIC is an online library of education research and information, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education.

  • Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)

    The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) is the Chicago metropolitan area’s Parent Training and Information Center. The FRCD can help you learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), make informed decisions about your child’s individualized education program (IEP), obtain appropriate services for your child, communicate more effectively with school professionals and more.

    The FRCD serves the following eight Illinois counties: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.

    You can contact the FRCD at (312) 939-3513 or info@frcd.org.

  • FAQ on New Special Education Laws for Students Who Turn 22

    In July 2021, House Bill 40 and House Bill 2748 became law, allowing Illinois special education students to continue attending school through the end of the school year in which they turn 22. The package also allows special needs students who recently turned 22 and were impacted by COVID-19 to remain eligible for educational services up to the end of the regular 2021-22 school year.

    The Illinois State Board of Education has put together a frequently-asked-questions document on the new laws (Public Act 102-0172 and Public Act 102-0173).

    A press release summarizing the legislation is also available on Illinois.gov.

  • Fathering a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Child: An Onboarding Checklist for Dads

    The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Parent to Parent Committee developed a checklist written by fathers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing(D/HH) for dads or any person who feels that they fulfill this role in a child’s life.

    “Fathering a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Child: An Onboarding Checklist for Dads” provides information and action steps to support and encourage fathers to take an active role in every aspect of their child’s life from the start. The guide shares information from a dad’s perspective on topics including:

    • The ” new dad” learning curve
    • Language and communication
    • School and legal rights
    • Well-being

  • Find Help Southern Illinois

    Find Help Southern Illinois connects people to area programs and services, including:

    • Food and basic needs, such as food pantries, baby supplies, clothing and home goods
    • Housing and shelter options
    • Healthcare services, including medical, dental and vision care and transportation to health care
    • Addition and recovery support
    • Mental well-being services
    • Financial assistance for child care, transportation, medical supplies and more
    • Use the search filter to find the help you need in your community—sort by “closest” to receive the local information first
    • Education and employment programs
    • Legal assistance

    The resource hub is an initiative of Southern Illinois Healthcare, Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network and the Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families. The hub also receives support from the McKinney Vento Program for the Homeless Region V, Carbondale Elementary School District 95, Herrin Community Unit School District 4 Family Outreach Program, and the Carbondale Community Cabinet for Children and Youth with funding provided by Birth to Five Illinois.

  • Finding Help for Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays

    Every child is unique, and some children face extra physical or learning challenges. Parents often have questions about sources of information and support. This Finding Help for Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays resource list from the Illinois Early Learning Project shares information for parents on how to get your child evaluated, how to get special education services for your child and where to find more information to support children with autism, Down syndrome, hearing loss and vision loss.