Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources
Guidance for Responding to Incidents Involving Missing Children with Autism
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) provides law enforcement and caregivers with guidance on preparing for and responding to incidents involving missing children with autism. Information includes:
Guidebook on Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications
The Illinois Department of Human Rights and Access Living provide a “Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications: A Guide for Housing Professionals.”
In accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, this book provides guidance and clarification on the accommodations and modifications that must be made in housing for persons with disabilities and their family members.
Hands & Voices Virtual Waiting Room
Hands & Voices virtual waiting room provides resources and connections for families with children who have been referred to or are in the care of an audiologist and who are receiving those services through technology or “telehealth.” Much of the information is also useful for families who are preparing for onsite visits.
Hands & Voices virtual waiting room includes:
- A video about the importance of next steps when your child is referred for more testing after a hearing screening
- A guidebook for parents about audiology and telehealth
- Information about tele-audiology options
- Questions to ask your audiologist, understanding your child’s audiogram, help making decisions with communication and more
- Connections to family-to-family support from trained parent leaders
- Explanations of help offered by a variety of professionals in addition to your child’s audiologist
- Resources to promote health and well-being for you and your child
- A link to email a Hands & Voices trained parent who can answer your questions and direct you to additional resources
Healthfinder.gov is provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (OASH). It’s an easy-to-use tool for finding and accessing screenings, vaccines, and other preventive care you need to stay healthy.
The HealthWell Foundation aims to reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases. It provides financial assistance to eligible individuals to cover copays, healthcare premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
For any questions, please call (800) 675-8416, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (CST), or email grants@healthwellfoundation.org.
All grant-related documents should be mailed to the HealthWell Contact Center, P.O. Box 489, Buckeystown, MD 21717
Heartland Alliance Health, Housing and Legal Services
Heartland Alliance in Chicago provides programs to address the root causes of poverty, generate social change and inspire people to build better lives not only for themselves but for their communities.
Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) provides direct legal services to and advocates for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation and public education. Other programs include:
- Helping Hands of Springfield is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides homeless services to single adults 18 and older. It provides a shelter and supportive services, including individualized case management, advocacy and referrals, representative payee services, and shower facilities. It also provides help to obtain prescriptions, identification services, and employment assistance.
If you are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless, call (217) 522-0048. For other housing-related needs, please call 211.
The High Fives Foundation focuses on preventing life-changing injuries and providing resources for outdoor adventure sports athletes if they happen. High Fives provides community support, inspiration and grants to help athletes and veterans with spinal cord injuries (SCI), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and others get back to their outdoor physical activity of choice from snowboarding and skiing to surfing and mountain biking and beyond.
The High Fives Foundation Empowerment Fund grants are primarily need-based. Recipients can use the grant funds for adaptive sports equipment, healing network, medical equipment, programs, living expenses and emergency care/injury expenses. Athletes living in the United States or Canada and meeting the criteria for each grant cycle can apply each year.
Highpoint Care Center provides Drive-Up Care Centers where visitors can receive a bag filled with household toiletries and groceries. The organization also provides meals to District 200 students during lunchtime and has a mobile food pantry. Additional assistance with the cost of utilities, rent and car repairs is available.
Care Center locations are in Naperville, North Aurora, Bolingbrook/Romeoville and Wheaton.
Hire Autism is a free program from the Organization for Autism Research to help autistic job seekers find meaningful employment opportunities and connect with autism-friendly employers.
The site features include a searchable jobs board and resource library, profile and job board navigation tutorials, personalized job alerts and autism- or disability-related employment events. Job seekers can request free one-on-one virtual assistance with resume and cover letter writing as well as interview preparation through Hire Autism’s volunteer mentoring program.