Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Travel Guide for Children with Medical Complexity
Traveling with a child with medical complexity can be challenging. With extra planning, a family vacation can be a memorable and enjoyable experience. This travel guide from the Courageous Parents Network offers practical advice on choosing a location, what and how to pack the medical supplies your child needs, tips for traveling by car and airplane, and what precautions to take should your child have a medical emergency while on vacation.
The guide is available in English and Spanish.
The Tri-State Foodbank partners with southern Illinois agencies to provide food assistance in Alexander, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Johnson, Lawrence, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne and White counties.
Please use the “Find A Pantry” tool to locate local pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens offering free food to those in need.
The U.S. Department of Education is America’s education agency. Its website includes guidance, resources and technical assistance related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
IDEA is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children, supports early intervention services for infants and toddlers and their families, and awards competitive discretionary grants.
UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago is a charitable not-for-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities in metropolitan Chicago and beyond.
Its services include employment and community day services for adults, residential services for adults, children’s foster care, assistive technology and accessibility services, and more.
Understanding Inclusion Online Series for Parents of Young Children With Disabilities
Early CHOICES offers a free, online series for parents of young children with disabilities, practitioners, educators and administrators in Early Intervention or early childhood programs. The Understanding Inclusion series covers everything from defining inclusion to dreaming big for your child and includes:
- Short videos
- Activities to promote inclusion
- Topic guides to support you in reflection and resource gathering
Flyers outlining the series’ details are available in English and Spanish.
United Way of St. Clair County
United Way of St. Clair County supports a variety of local health and human services programs to empower residents to raise their quality of life.
Programs supported through United Way of St. Clair County include:
Virtual Care Package for Caregivers
The Illinois Respite Coalition put together this Virtual Care Package with free virtual resources to help caregivers take time for themselves.
It includes links to podcasts, playlists, exercises and other tips for caregivers.
Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends Energy Assistance Foundation Program
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF) Energy Assistance Foundation provides year-round help with energy bills and making homes more energy efficient for income-qualified families. The program helps low-to-moderate-income individuals and families who don’t qualify for federal assistance. Visit the WNCF website to learn about:
- Income and eligibility guidelines
- Program coverage areas
- Help for weatherizing your home
- Energy bill payment programs
We Care of Grundy County is a nonprofit that provides a range of services to help individuals and families achieve stability and improve their quality of life. Services include a food pantry, clothing, financial assistance during times of crisis, educational programs, support groups and more.
We Care of Grundy County Food Pantry is open by appointment Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Please call (815) 942-6389 to schedule a time to come.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy.
The WIC page on the Illinois Department of Human Services’ website provides details about WIC services, who can receive these services and how to apply for WIC benefits.