General Resources
Crosswalk Community Action Agency
Crosswalk Community Action Agency (CCAA) offers a variety of programs and services to help individuals and families in Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson and Williamson Counties. CCAA programs address the “day-to-day” needs and help individuals work to become self-sufficient.
Programs include:
A Diaper Program
Emergency Services
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
Food Pantry
Homeless Prevention Services
Home Repair and Rehabilitation
Home Weatherization (IHWAP)
ScholarshipsCued Speach Program for Families of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children
Cue College’s Cue Family Program provides a free, online Cued Speech class to families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Cued Speech combines a small number of simple hand cues with the natural mouth movements of speech to make the sounds or “phonemes” of spoken language clear through vision alone.
The Cue Family Program includes free access for one year to the online Cue College course, “CS100 – Introduction to Cued American English – Self Study”, for parents, guardians, additional family members and caregivers of a child with hearing loss or other communication challenges.
The Danny Did Foundation works toward its mission to prevent deaths caused by seizures with these main goals in mind: advancing public awareness of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), enhancing the SUDEP communication model between medical professionals and families afflicted by seizures, and the mainstreaming of seizure detection and prediction devices that may assist in preventing seizure-related deaths.
The Danny Did Foundation’s grant program does provide financial assistance for purchasing seizure detection and seizure prediction devices to qualifying individuals.
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 moreDental Care for Children with Special Needs Tip Sheet
Children with special needs may need extra time or support when seeing a dentist. This tip sheet provides resources and the steps needed to balance your child’s needs with the dentist’s experience.
You can view the Dental Care for Children with Special Needs tip sheet from the InsureKidsNow.gov website.
Dentist Locator – Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover dental services, including check-ups, x-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings and more. Use this Dentist Locator to find a dentist in your community who sees children and accepts Medicaid and CHIP.
If you don’t have coverage, learn more about free or low-cost health insurance available in your area at InsureKidsNow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW/(877) 543-7669.
Developmental Disability Services
The Illinois Department of Human Services has information about how to apply for Developmental Disability services.
The Arc of Illinois Family-to-Family Health Information Center and Family Voices of Illinois provide this fact sheet on possible options for help with the cost of diapers for children, youth and adults with disabilities.
The non-profit Diaper Bank of Chicago provides diapers in sizes newborn through large-sized Underjams, ensuring all kids that need protection are covered. It partners with other nonprofits and social service agencies to distribute diapers. The diaper bank only accepts requests for diapers through an agency partner or social service agency.
The Diaper Bank of Chicago’s doula also offers parenting resources for agency partners on topics that include:
Breastfeeding
Bonding
Infant massage
Stress reduction techniquesDifferent Dynamics in St. Louis
Different Dynamics is a non-profit organization providing music programming for people of all ages, neurotypes and abilities who have a love of music.
Different Dynamics activities and programming include:
The Music Exploratorium music studio space
The Music Workshop featuring music and movement activities for the entire family
Sensory-friendly performances