Resource Directory /

Family and Caregiving Support Resources

  • The Dream Factory

    The Dream Factory is a volunteer-driven children’s wish-granting organization. Volunteers raise funds in their communities to grant dreams to local children ages 3 through 18 who have a life-threatening illness or are critically and chronically ill. Dreams are granted through local chapters. Referrals can be made by:

    • A parent or legal guardian of an ill child
    • A treating physician of an ill child
    • The ill child

    In Illinois, contact the Dream Factory of Central Illinois at centralillinois@dreamfactoryinc.org. You can find other local chapters on the Dream Factory website.

  • The Early Years Project

    The Early Years Project is a free online toolkit from the Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program featuring easy-to-follow videos, activities and resources. Parents, caregivers, and educators can use these materials to help foster sensory development in young children, from birth to 6 years old.

    The Early Years Project toolkit aims to supplement home visiting and early education programs. It includes information on developmental milestones, activities, resources and more in four areas:

    • Hearing
    • Vision
    • Communication
    • Language

  • The Good Samaritan Inn in Decatur

    The Good Samaritan Inn provides meals to all those who need them, no questions asked. Meals are served seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its programs also include Mercy Gardens and Mercy Market from June through October.

    Good Samaritan Inn is located at 920 North Union St. in Decatur.

    For more information, call (217) 429-1455.

  • The HAP Foundation

    The HAP Foundation provides patient-centered hospice and palliative care education, research, workforce development and support. The foundation helps any family of a child or adult living with a serious illness understand palliative and hospice care options, and connect to and strengthen care throughout their journey. The HAP Foundation resources also include:

    • Palliative and hospice care information for families and medical professionals
    • Help for finding and accessing care
    • Missing Pieces support group for anyone grieving the loss of a child
    • The Pediatric Resource Guide for patients, families and practitioners
    • Chicagoland resources and events

  • The Hydrocephalus Association

    The Hydrocephalus Association provides information and resources for people of all ages living with or caring for someone with hydrocephalus.

  • The Journey Through Diagnosis: A Guide for Families of Children with a Genetic Condition

    The Family Forum of the Region 4 Midwest Genetics Collaborative wrote this guide to provide information and support to families whose child has been diagnosed with a genetic condition. It is written from the family perspective and includes information they felt was important when facing a new diagnosis. The material includes advice and tips to help guide families on their journey.

  • The KASE Project

    The KASE Project aims to raise awareness and support for autism through community outreach in the Springfield area. Its programs include:

    • PECS (Picture Exchange Communication) at the Park – an initiative to install picture communication boards at local parks and playgrounds.
    • PALS (Parent Autism Life Support) – a caregiver support initiative for parents, siblings and caregivers of children and adults with autism in Sangamon County. PALS currently hosts a support group for moms.
    • FLASH (Friends Learning and Sharing Hope) – an effort to bring adaptive sports to the Chatham community and beyond.
    • SIBS – A Sibshops program for siblings of children with health, mental health and developmental needs.

  • The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University

    The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center providing elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The Clerc Center Online Community provides best-practice videos, research, toolkits and resources for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and the professionals who work with them.

    Clerc Center resources include:

    • The Language First Parent Guide, a step-by-step roadmap for parents with children who are deaf and hard of hearing
    • Family-focused activities such as American Sign Language (ASL) classes, bilingual storybooks and more

  • The Little Resource Center in Carbondale

    The Little Resource Center (TLRC) provides free health, safety, and well-being services to strengthen and empower families, parents, and caregivers. TLRC services and programs are free. Help includes infant and postpartum care items, classes and webinars on various wellness topics, and referrals to other needed services. The Little Resource Center’s support includes:

    • Short-term diaper and ​formula assistance
    • Events, classes and ​support groups for ​families, caregivers and ​expecting parents
    • Referrals to healthcare ​providers, social service ​agencies and community-based ​agencies for resources
    • Bilingual programming by appointment

    For questions or more information, call (618) 534-3345 or email info@littleresourcecarbondale.org.

    Para ayuda en español: (314) 730-4005

  • The Mighty’s Digital Toolkit for Caregivers

    The Mighty provides a digital toolkit to help caregivers learn more about the ins and outs of caregiving and discover helpful resources to utilize along their caregiving journey.

    The Mighty’s Digital Toolkit for Caregivers includes:

    • A caregiving binder, complete with worksheets to help you better organize important information
    • A respite care questionnaire to help you find the perfect respite worker for your specific needs
    • A self-care mini-guide to help you destress and prioritize your mental health

    Everything included in the toolkit is downloadable, printable and shareable.