Resource Directory /

Medical/Health and Wellness Resources

  • Illinois Department of Human Services

    The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) provides services and programs to help Illinois residents become economically independent and self-sufficient, including food, financial assistance, mental health, child care, shelter/housing and more. Its divisions include:

    • Developmental Disabilities
    • Early Childhood
    • Family and Community Services
    • Mental Health
    • Rehabilitation Services
    • Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)

  • Illinois Department of Human Services Find Food Website

    The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Find Food website offers a list of advocacy, education, and social support services, as well as links to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Illinois. IDHS Find Food resources include:

    You can contact the IDHS Helpline at:

    • 1 (800) 843-6154
    • 1(866) 324-5553 TTY

  • Illinois Dyslexia Guide: A Handbook for Parents, Educators, and Students and Dyslexia Toolkit

    The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) Dyslexia Guide: A Handbook for Parents, Educators, and Students provides information and guidance about dyslexia and related disorders for educational professionals, school leaders, families, guardians, and students. The handbook seeks to empower stakeholder groups to better understand dyslexia and strengthen programs to meet the educational and social-emotional needs of children and adolescents who struggle to learn to read.

    You can use the handbook alone or with the Dyslexia Toolkit. The toolkit’s ever-evolving collection of additional resources includes laws, websites, videos,  and podcasts for families and educators.

    Visit the Specific Learning Disability Support Project (SLD Supports) website for these resources and more.

  • Illinois Early Learning Project

    The Illinois Early Learning Project provides evidence-based, early care and education information for parents, caregivers and teachers of young children in the state of Illinois.

    The site provides a wide range of information on important topics involving early care and education, including:

  • Illinois Financial Wellness Hub

    The Illinois Financial Wellness Hub (FinWell Hub) provides free resources to help all Illinois residents plan a better financial future. The site offers a wide variety of tools and courses to help you create a learning experience tailored to your needs.

    Topics include:

    • Saving for an emergency
    • Retirement planning
    • Planning for a child’s education
    • Managing debt
    • Buying a home
    • Estate planning
    • Social Security
    • Investing and more

  • Illinois Guide By Your Side

    Illinois Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side (GBYS) is a free program providing unbiased information, one-on-one support and resources and trained Parent Guides to talk and/or meet with you if you have a child with hearing loss or a suspected hearing loss.

    Parent Guides are adults who have children with a hearing loss. They provide unbiased information and resources regarding communication, educational and technological choices. They help families identify their options and not tell them which options  to choose. They support families and can help them navigate through the many systems and services available in Illinois. They work as a team with professionals offering a well rounded care system for families.

  • Illinois Hands & Voicessun-icon

    Illinois Hands & Voices is a parent-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to helping families with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

    Families can learn about the variety of resources and options available to them and how to access them. Through this network of resources, families can make informed decisions about their future in regards to educational options, the changing landscape of assistive technologies and many other issues facing families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

    Families within the same geographic region within the state can share experiences and information as they support each other. They can receive the opportunity to gain knowledge and direction from families who have faced the same challenges and choices.

  • Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

    The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is a statewide organization that partners with the state’s 16 local Child Care Resources and Referral (CCR&R) agencies. It is a recognized leader, catalyst and resource for making high-quality, affordable early care and education and school-age care options available for children and families in Illinois.

    CCR&R’s connect and coordinate programs and services for young children and their families. CCR&R’s manage the application and information for families to receive child care assistance, allowing them to work and/or go to school while their children have access to quality early care and education.

    Visit www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch to find your local CCR&R.

  • Illinois Respite Coalition

    The Illinois Respite Coalition (IRC) is a not-for-profit organization of caregivers and respite providers dedicated to supporting families and ensuring access to quality respite services for the residents of Illinois. The IRC assists caregivers by connecting them to resources in their area, providing training on respite topics and having funding available for emergency respite. The IRC helps caregivers of individuals across the lifespan with any disability.

    The Emergency Respite Care Program offers funding and resources to support caregivers who are not receiving any respite services and have an urgent need for respite care in the absence of any other funding source.  Emergency respite care may be for an unplanned or planned event for reasons including:

    • Caregiver illness (physical, mental or emotional)
    • Caregiver hospitalization
    • Work-related situation
    • Reduction of stress level

    The website gives examples of qualifying circumstances and information on how to apply. For more details see the:

    For more information, contact:

  • Illinois STAR NET

    Illinois STAR NET helps provide early childhood professionals and families with the support needed to provide all children with a high-quality, equitable education in inclusive environments. STAR NET provides workshops, funding opportunities, technical assistance and more to promote:

    • Evidence-based inclusive practices for young children with disabilities from birth to age eight
    • Professional development to support educators and families
    • Meaningful child outcomes through innovative and engaging learning experiences

    See the STAR NET Statewide Map to learn more about each regional service area.

    Illinois STAR NET is operated through a grant awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The project receives annual funding from federal sources.