Resource Directory /

Medical/Health and Wellness Resources

  • National Center on Deaf-Blindness

    The National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) is part of a network of projects for children and youth with deaf-blindness (birth through 21) providing information and learning and development tools for families and educators. NCDB resources include:

    • An overview of deaf-blindness
    • Practice guides and professional development
    • Spanish resources

    NCDB includes state deaf-blind projects in every state, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Pacific Basin and the Virgin Islands.

  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resources for Parents and Caregivers

    The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides a variety of resources for parents, caregivers and youth related to different types of childhood trauma, including coping with hard times, grief, hospitalizations and more.

    Resources are available in English and Spanish.

  • National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes

    The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) shares information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing education and training for deaf people. It offers online courses, online gaming tools for youth, evidence-based resources, webinars and more.

    NDC resources include:

    • Free online learning modules and webinars for teens, college students and professionals
    • Planning tools, tips and more for high school and college students
    • Disability services providers portal and online training modules
    • Deaf culture and awareness resources
    • Deafverse, a choose-your-own-adventure online game created just for deaf teenagers

  • National Diaper Bank Network

    The National Diaper Bank Network connects and supports the country’s more than 200 community-based diaper banks that collect, store and distribute free diapers to struggling families. The website includes a list of member diaper banks in Illinois.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline

    Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

    Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education and referral services in over 200 languages.

    Call (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or (800) 787-3224 (TTY). You can also text “START” to 88788 or chat live on The Hotline website.

  • National Fatherhood Initiative

    The National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on programs and support to increase father involvement in children’s lives.  NFI provides webinars, resources to help strengthen families and lead to happier, healthier, and safer communities.that aims to end father absence. They provide a variety of free resources for dads and organizations.

    For questions, please call (301) 948-0599 or email info@fatherhood.org.

  • National Federation of Families Home Resources

    The National Federation of Families shares resources for parents and caregivers to use at home.

    These include educational resources, activities and more that can support families of children and youth who have mental health and substance use needs.

  • National Federation of the Blind

    The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the United States. NFB helps create a wide range of opportunities for children and adults who are blind in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Programs and services cover a wide range of areas, including advocacy, education, Braille certification, parent support and resources, training, employment, technology and more.

    A small sampling of NFB resources includes:

    For more information, contact NFB at (410) 659-9314 or nfb@nfb.org

    There is also an Illinois chapter. Visit the National Federation of the Blind in Illinois website, call (312) 343-8396, or email  president@nfbofillinois.org.

  • Normal Moments

    Normal Moments supports Chicagoland families with critically ill/medically complex children up to age 17 by providing help with many household and outdoor tasks.  The organization matches volunteers based on the families’ needs, volunteer location and interests. Support includes:

    • In-home help with necessary chores such as house cleaning, laundry, pet care and other errands
    • Outdoor services such as lawn maintenance and snow removal
    • Annual holiday programs

    Note that Normal Moments volunteers may not provide care for dependents. A responsible adult over 18 must be in the house while a volunteer is in the house with children.

  • North Shore Gas Assistance Options

    If you cannot pay your energy bill due to financial difficulties, North Shore Gas has flexible payment arrangement plans or energy assistance options that may help.

    They also include information about these programs:

    • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
    • Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
    • Share the Warmth, company- and customer-funded heating grants