Family Support Resources
State of Illinois Deaf & Hard of Hearing Commission
Provides information for those who are deaf or hard of hearing or for those who need information about this population.
Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp for Children in Eureka, Missouri
BJC Hospice hosts Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp each year for children and teens who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. The weekend-long, overnight camp provides a safe place for campers ages 6 to 15 to explore their grief and emotions.
The camp usually takes place in August and is free for all children who have lost loved ones, not just families served by BJC Hospice (service areas include Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, Calhoun, Marion, Greene and portions of Pike and Perry counties).
Stress and Coping Skills Resources
If left unmanaged, stress can negatively impact our physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, work, and many other things in our lives. To effectively manage stress, one must identify the stressor and take active steps to reduce the impact of the stressor by using effective and individualized coping tools.
Illinois Extension provides this list of resources to help reduce stress and enhance coping skills.
Strong Family Alliance’s mission is to save lives and preserve families by helping children come out and parents become informed supporters and allies.
The alliance strives to give parents and LGBTQ people accurate information, insights on this challenging transition for both parents and children, ways to keep LGBTQ children safe and healthy, and encouragement for parents to lead with love and solve problems over time. Its website includes parent guides and resources.
The Summer Meals Program and Illinois No Kid Hungry collaborate with national and state partner organizations to provide free meals during the summer for children and youth who depend on school lunches during the school year. Meals are available throughout Illinois for children and youth ages 18 and under.
To find a meal site near you:
- Visit Summer Meals Find Food Map or No Kid Hungry’s Free Meals Finder
- Call (800) 359-2163
- Text “Food” or “Comida” to 304-304
There is no income requirement to participate in open-site summer meal programs.
Certain summer meal sites, such as camps or closed programs that require an application to participate, may ask about income during the application process.
The Sunshine Foundation helps make dreams come true for children ages 3 to 18 who have severe or profound illnesses or conditions. Referrals can come from anywhere in the United States for children with severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse and whose families have limited income.
Dream requests can include:
- Staying at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village and visiting area theme parks and attractions
- Funding towards a special gift or item of interest
- Funding towards medical or adaptive equipment that insurance may not cover
Supporting Illinois Brother and Sisters (S.I.B.S.)
Supporting Illinois Brother and Sisters’ (S.I.B.S.) mission is to provide support to siblings of people with disabilities in Illinois by connecting them with information, networking opportunities and resources in order to enhance the quality of life for their entire family.
The Survivor Empowerment Center provides a safe and secure environment for southern Illinois domestic violence survivors and their children.
The Center provides free, confidential services around-the-clock, 365 days a year to domestic and sexual violence survivors. Women, men, adolescents and children from Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Perry, Saline, Williamson, Union and Gallatin counties are welcome.
Help includes:
- A 24/7 hotline
- A safe place/shelter away from an abuser
- Counseling
- Education and training
- Assistance through medical, reporting and legal procedures
Swann Special Care Center is a non-profit organization located in Champaign that offers residential and educational programs for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities. Its programs serve residents from throughout Illinois and include residential nursing care, adult day training and an accredited year-round school. Swann Special Care Center also offers:
- Restorative and long-term habilitation
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Evaluation on an individual and ongoing basis
- Physical, occupational and speech therapies
Synapse House provides services to adults with an acquired brain injury, such as an accident, stroke, gunshot wound or overdose, and traditional developmental disability services may not be appropriate. Located in Downers Grove, Synapse House programs and services include:
- The Clubhouse/employment programs
- KNZ NeuroFitness Gym
- Community integration therapeutic activities
- Community support services
- Family support