Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
The Immune Deficiency Foundation is a nationwide organization that can assist with finding specialists, providing financial assistance and providing educational materials. Primary immune deficiency diseases are a group of relatively rare conditions caused by intrinsic or genetic defects in the immune system.
Immunization Resources for Families
The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides a wide range of immunization resources for families to help you make the best, most informed decisions for their health. You can find information in English and Spanish on:
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Translation and vaccine support
- COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines
- Helping your child through vaccinations
- Vaccine immunization schedules and information
- Resources for teens and more
InfantSEE is a public health program that provides a no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment for infants 6-12 months old, regardless of a family’s income or access to insurance coverage. The assessment is designed to detect problems early to ensure babies have the opportunity to develop the visual abilities they need to grow and learn.
The InfantSEE assessment is completed by a doctor of optometry. It includes discussing the patient’s and family’s health history and testing for excessive or unequal amounts of:
- Nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
- Eye movement ability
- Eye health problems
InfantSEE is managed by the Optometry Cares – The American Optometric Association (AOA) Foundation.
Informational Classes by Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
The hospital offers a broad range of informative classes such as gluten-free cooking and how illness impacts teenagers.
Jackson County Health Department
The Jackson County Health Department (JCHD) in Murphysboro provides a wide array of public health services to provide education and promote health, prevent illness, protect the environment and prepare for emergencies.
JCHD offers:
- Vaccines and immunizations for children and adults
- Chronic disease management and health education programs
- Emergency preparedness guides and more
For more information, contact JCHD at (618) 684-3143.
Jordan Thomas Foundation
The Jordan Thomas Foundation (JTF) supports children living with limb loss and limb difference with the prostheses they need throughout their growing years. In addition to specialized prosthetic devices, JTF provides support services and programs for children and their families, resources to help recipients participate in activities, scholarships and more.
JTF recipients can be of any age, up to 18 years old. JTF also offers a one-time assistance program for young adults aged 18 to 24 years old. Visit the foundation’s FAQ page to learn more. JFT accepts applications on a rolling basis.
For questions or more information, contact JTF at (615) 455-5505 or info@jordanthomasfoundation.org.
June Jessee Memorial Foundation
The June Jessee Memorial Foundation (JJMF) provides events, information, financial assistance and mental health services to children with medically complex neurological conditions and their families in the St. Louis area and beyond. JJMF resources include:
- Uncomplicated financial assistance for out-of-pocket medical needs
- Free mental health services
- A welcoming, understanding community
- Information to help make journeys easier
Nemours KidsHealth provides doctor-reviewed articles, videos and health information on a wide range of topics for parents, kids, teens and educators in English and Spanish. KidsHealth offers information on growth and development, diseases and conditions, school and family life, visiting the doctor, medical procedures and more.
Other resources and information include:
- Tips for parents on understanding children’s health, behavior, and growth – from before birth through the teen years.
- A kids area where they can learn how the body works and more
- A place for teens with topics such as body self-esteem, playing sports, knowing the signs of an abusive relationship and more
- A section for educators with teaching tools to use in the classroom for all ages
La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center
La Rabida Children’s Advocacy Center (LRCAC) aims to provide a safe and child-friendly environment where children and adolescents receive supportive services following allegations of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, other forms of child maltreatment or exposure to violent crime.
The LRCAC’s mission is to reduce trauma and provide supportive services to children and families involved in investigations of child abuse and violent crime using a multidisciplinary team approach that combines efforts of law enforcement, child protection investigators, prosecutors, medical personnel and mental health providers.
LRCAC provides forensic interviewing, advocacy, and follow up services at no cost to children and families living in the south suburbs of Cook County.
Legal Aid Chicago provides free legal assistance in civil cases to people living in Chicago and suburban Cook County with limited income or special legal needs. It focuses on helping in the following key areas:
- Family and safety – where personal safety and financial stability are at risk
- House and apartment – protecting safe and affordable housing for tenants and homeowners
- Money and debt – protecting income and assets from unfair collections and fraud
- Work and employment rights – protecting the rights and benefits of workers and reducing barriers to employment
- Health, disability and basic needs – accessing and protecting benefits for basic human needs
- Immigration – obtaining protected status for victims of crime, including U-visa, VAWA (for victims of domestic violence) and T-visa (for victims of human trafficking)