Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Good Samaritan Ministries in Carbondale
Good Samaritan Ministries provides assistance to families and individuals in need in the Carbondale area. Programs and services include:
- Emergency assistance
- An emergency shelter and transitional housing
- A soup kitchen
- Food pantry
Granted helps “wishes” come true for children in southeast Illinois, southern Indiana and western Kentucky with terminal or life-threatening conditions. The non-profit aims to give children and their families respite from the physical, emotional and financial toll of a life-threatening illness. Granted’s wishes aim to to provide strength, hope, joy and a wonderful experience that the family can enjoy together and treasure among their memories.
Granted’s services also include events throughout the year, support groups and resource referrals for families in crisis. The organization serves a 100-mile radius of Evansville, Ind. See a map of Granted’s service area.
Grupo SALTO (Sociedad de Autismo Latina Trabajando con Optimismo) aims to provide support in Spanish for Latino families who have children who are differently abled, with a focus on autism.
Grupo SALTO provides culturally and linguistically appropriate training, education and services.
Guidance for Responding to Incidents Involving Missing Children with Autism
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) provides law enforcement and caregivers with guidance on preparing for and responding to incidents involving missing children with autism. Information includes:
Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They are non-biased about communication methodologies and believe that families can make the best choices for their children if they have access to good information and support.
Hands & Voices Guides and Resources for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus
Hands & Voices provides a variety of resources specific to children who are deaf/hard of hearing plus – the combination of being deaf or hard of hearing and having additional medical complexities or other needs.
Information includes the “Connecting Families of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Plus (DHH Plus) with Resources and Support” guide, an Educational Plan Checklist for D/HH-Plus Students and presentations, articles and other guides for families of children who are D/HH plus.
This organization is committed to protecting the rights of children, people with disabilities, & low income adults.
HealthyChildren.org’s “Childhood Grief: When to Seek Additional Help”
Many children experience the death of a close family member or friend at some point during their childhood. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website HealthyChildren.org provides information for parents about childhood grief, ways to help your child, and where to find support.
The information includes:
- Signs your child may need more help
- Important information about tweens
- Resources for more information
Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association
The Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association offers support and information to help families adjust to the special needs of a child with Down syndrome. Its programs and resources for families and caregivers include Individual Education Program (IEP) resource providers, conference and classroom stipends, and events to increase inclusion and understanding of people with Down syndrome.
The association’s service area in central Illinois includes Peoria, Marshall, Tazewell and Woodford counties.
Help for Caregivers, Grandparents/Relatives Raising Children in Northeastern Illinois
AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois provides programs offering respite, legal services, counseling, financial help, training programs and more for caregivers and grandparents/relatives raising children. Residents in DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties may be eligible.
