Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Take N.O.T.E. of Learning Differences
Take N.O.T.E. is an initiative developed by Understood in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics. It aims to help parents identify the signs of learning or thinking differences in their children.
Talking to Children About Racial Bias
The “Talking to Children About Racial Bias” page from HealthyChildren.org provides information on understanding how racial bias works in children as well as strategies to help them deal with and react to racial differences.
Talking to Children About Tragedies and Other Traumatic News Events
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents, teachers, child care providers, and others who work closely with children to filter information about crises and present it in a way that their child can accommodate, adjust to and cope with. HealthyChildren.org provides information on where to start and how to provide the right support in this article, “Talking to Children About Tragedies and Other Traumatic News Events.”
Talking with Children During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a tip sheet for caregivers, parents, and teachers on talking with children during infectious disease outbreaks.
SAMHSA tip sheet provides information for toddlers to teens and includes:
- Possible reactions
- Talking with children and youth in different age groups
- Supporting children and managing their responses
- Self-care
- More resources
Tellin’ Tales Theatre
The mission of Tellin’ Tales Theatre is to shatter barriers between the disabled and non-disabled worlds through the transformative power of personal story.
The theatre brings together children and adults from both communities to share their stories in theatrically innovative productions and programs to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance.
Tellin’ Tales Theatre is located at 360 E. Randolph St., Suite 1006, in Chicago. For more details, call (312) 498-7193 or fill out the theatre’s Contact Us form.
The Arc of Illinois advocates for and empowers people with disabilities and their families to reach their goals and fully participate in community life. The Arc of Illinois provides information, resources, family support, and training to help make Illinois a place where people with disabilities can learn, play, work, and live in communities across the state.
The Arc of Illinois services and programs include:
- The Illinois Life Span program
- Children’s services and caregiver support
- Monthly webinars
- Assistive technology resources
- The Arc of Illinois fact sheets and more
The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP)
The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Network is a collaboration of five universities and 10 organizations that together operate 20 centers across the state to provide services to children, families, educators, childcare providers, and medical professionals.
Illinois residents can participate in TAP’s Advocating for Supports to Improve Service Transitions (ASSIST) Training Program. The training features twelve modules focused on helping families advocate for adult services on behalf of their child or young adult on the autism spectrum. Each module features an expert-led presentation and time for discussion.
Topics include:
- Guardianship and alternatives to guardianship
- Medicaid waiver services
- Social Security benefits
- Health insurance
- Special needs trusts
- Post-secondary education and employment
The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Center at CTF Illinois
The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Center at CTF Illinois provides services and support to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities and their families. CTF Illinois family and community resource rooms are located in in both Charleston and Olney.
TAP at CTF serves Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Clark, Moultrie, Douglas, Shelby, Clay, Richland, Crawford and Lawrence counties. Services include:
- Family nights and new diagnosis family orientation
- Play groups for children under 3
- Social skills and monthly support groups
- Food and nutrition-related consultations
The Center for Courageous Kids Summer Camps and Family Retreats
The Center for Courageous Kids (CKC) offers free family retreat weekends and overnight summer camp sessions for youth ages 5 to 17 with complex medical conditions and disabilities. CKC welcomes children with a wide range of conditions, including heart/cardiovascular disease, blood disorders, sickle cell disease, spina bifida, and more. The camp provides 24-hour medical coverage, an on-site medical center, and program and medical staff with training and experience in all aspects of medical camping.
The Center for Courageous Kids is open to youth ages 5 to 17 diagnosed with one of the illnesses/conditions it serves and immediate family members. To learn more about the camp, you can also:
The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois
The Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois serves as a central location to collect and store donated diapers. The Diaper Bank partners with local service agencies to distribute diapers to low-income children and their families.
To request diapers, the Diaper Bank of Southern Illinois requires that the agency has an ongoing relationship with the client and has screened for need. Agencies may contact diaperbanksi@gmail.com or call (618) 549-2148, ext. 110.