General Resources
The Superhero Project matches children facing serious illnesses, disabilities and complex medical needs with artists to create their superhero alter egos.
The nonprofit interviews kids and teens about their superhero alter egos. Artists then design the characters the children have described, creating a visual representation of their strength, courage and resilience. Families then receive an inspiring poster of their superheroes.
The Superhero Project is free and open to families around the world.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Find Shelter Tool
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Find Shelter tool provides information about housing, shelter, medical clinics, food pantries and clothing resources for someone in need in your community. Visit www.hud.gov/findshelter/.
Thumbuddy Special is a non-profit organization that was started by a group of special education teachers and therapists to raise money to provide adaptive equipment for children with special needs.
Thumbuddy Special supplies equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, adapted bikes, ramps and computers. In addition, the nonprofit offers scholarships to children to attend local special recreation camps in the summer.
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Hudson
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center offers specialized lodging, staff and programming modified to accommodate kids and adults of all abilities. The center provides year-round opportunities for individuals with disabilities and illnesses to experience a fun, safe and accessible environment with family and friends.
Owned and operated by Easterseals Central Illinois, Timber Pointe Outdoor Center programs include:
Day and overnight summer camps
Partner group camps
Weekend family retreats
Facility rentalsThe Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, Title V of the Social Security Act, is a federal program that aims to improve the health of all women, children and families. Each state has a Title V program that serves children with special health care needs.
The Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration provides this list of state Title V program contact information.
This series of videos created by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission provide vital information and preparedness messages in American Sign Language (ASL).
Topics include:
Emergency planning
Evacuation
Building a kitToilet Training Children With Special Needs – Early Intervention Clearinghouse
The Early Intervention Clearinghouse (EI) offers books, videos, articles and web resources to help with toilet training your child. This site provides information that can be used for most children, with and without disabilities.
Toilet Training Children with Special Needs – HealthyChildren.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website HealthyChildren.org provides parents of children with disabilities information for determining when to start and how to begin the toilet-training process.
The information includes:
An overview of physical and developmental challenges and how they can impact toilet training
Tips on when and how to begin toilet training
The importance of having a parent support network and focusing on celebrating your child’s overall growth, not the mistakeThis information is also available in Spanish.
TotalLink2 Community provides individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 18 years or older in the north suburbs of Chicago with a wide range of person-centered services to promote employment, independence and strong social connections in the community.
TotalLink provides career and vocational services including job development and placement using Customized Employment, a proven and innovative approach that utilizes skill-based coaching, family coaching, life planning, and educational and recreational opportunities designed to get young adults with disabilities involved in their community and deepen social connections.
Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Makanda
Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois offers a diverse range of camps, retreats, programs and activities for children and adults of all abilities. Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center programs include:
Camp Little Giant summer day camps for children, teens and adults meeting the Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
Camp BETA for children with type 1 diabetes.
Retreats
Outdoor education
Training and workshops