DSCC Fact Sheets Resources
Homeless Prevention Program in Illinois
The Homeless Prevention Program in Illinois provides rental/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, approved case management and approved supportive services directly related to the prevention of homelessness to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness or are currently homeless. The program is designed to stabilize individuals and families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that individuals and families stay in shelters and assist individuals and families with securing affordable housing.
Contact a Homeless Prevention Provider from the list to receive services.
Home modification refers to converting or adapting the environment in order to make performing tasks easier, reduce accidents, and support independent living. Homemods.org provides home modification information, where to find funding, tip sheets and checklists, and training for consumers and professionals.
Homework Tip Sheets for Families and School Staff
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has created a useful tip sheet with strategies to support parents and guardians who help children complete homework. The “Homework Help Strategies for Caregivers” tip sheet includes a link to a database of helpful homework support websites. It can be found under “Family and Community Resources” on ISBE’s Family and Community Engagement webpage.
School and district professionals as well as school board members can also find tip sheets on how they may help with best practice regarding homework.
Homocystinuria (HCU) Network America
Homocystinuria (HCU) Network America provides free resources and connections for people impacted by this rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to process the amino acid homocysteine. HCU Network America supports a wide range of research and provides educational resources, connections and practical tools to help patients and their families navigate living with HCU.
HCU Network America resources include:
- Information on understanding HCU, clinic visits and treatment options
- An HCU Community Cookbook
- A downloadable Classical HCU Toolkit and podcast
- A New Patient Toolkit
Housing Authority of Cook County
The Housing Authority of Cook County is committed to providing quality housing to low and moderate-income families, the elderly and individuals with disabilities throughout suburban Cook County. Programs and resources include low-income public housing, affordable multi-family housing, Housing Choice Voucher Programs and more Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Programs.The Housing Authority of Joliet provides low-income individuals and families with access to affordable housing assistance and support services designed to maximize independence and promote self-sufficiency. The Housing Authority of Joliet’s website includes information about each program, application requirements and information for tenants and landlords.
Its website also offers information on service agencies that can help people facing challenges, including emergency housing, employment and job training, legal assistance, mental health, mobility assistance, parenting skills, substance abuse and more.
For questions, please contact the Housing Authority of Joliet at (815) 727-0611 or (800) 545-1833, ext. 878 (relay service).
Housing Forward aims to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to housing crises when they do occur and stabilize people with supportive services and housing. It offers a full range of programs and services that include:
- Emergency financial assistance
- Emergency shelter
- Interim and transitional housing
- Respite services for a medical or behavioral health event
- Wraparound services, including employment, family support, community health nursing, behavioral health and legal clinic
- Rental support
- Permanent supportive housing
- Housing navigation services and more
Housing Forward serves 26 communities in west suburban Cook County: Bellwood, Berkeley, Berwyn, Broadview, Brookfield, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Forest View, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Hillside, Lyons, Maywood, Melrose Park, Norridge, North Riverside, Northlake, Oak Park, River Forest, River Grove, Riverside, Schiller Park, Stickney, Stone Park and Westchester.
For more information, call the Housing Forward Office at (708) 338-1724 or visit the Housing Forward About Us page.
Housing Opportunities for Women Inc. (HOW)
Housing Opportunities for Women Inc. (HOW) empowers individuals and families in the Chicagoland area to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. HOW aims to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with housing as quickly as possible along with individualized support services to help them build success and self-sufficiency. Its services and programs include:
- Permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities
- Employment and life skills
- Children and youth after-school enrichment activities and Saturday teen programs
- Advocacy for individuals/families involved with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
- Housing and support for Families in Transition (FIT)
How SSI and SSDI Can Help Patients
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.
PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics as well as understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Many of PAF’s resources are also available in Spanish.
PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.
How to Fill Out DSCC Forms in Spanish
There are a number of forms that our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participants must fill out. We’ve created three instructional videos to help our Spanish-speaking families fill out some of our most commonly used forms. These videos provide step-by-step instructions:
- Solicitud del Programa de DSCC. (Filling out the DSCC Program Application)
- Reembolso de Costos (Filling out the Reimbursement Cost Log)
- Asistencia de Viaje (Filling out the Travel Cost Log)

