General Resources
Home Modification Resources – Private and Government
The Illinois Department of Human Resources (IDHS) provides a listing of Illinois, federal, local and private organizations offering home modification programs to promote accessibility and help individuals with disabilities become more independent.
Home Modification Tip Sheet for MFTD Waiver Families
The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Children (commonly called the MFTD waiver) can pay for certain home modifications. The modifications must be for the individual’s primary residence and necessary to meet their medical needs. Home modifications may include:
- Permanent structural changes
- Equipment that is installed or attached to the home
- Solutions that are not permanent
This tip sheet explains what type of home modifications may be covered and the process for moving forward.
Homeless Assistance Community Contacts
Illinois has many designated Continuum of Care agencies in local communities that can help people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to find affordable housing in local communities.
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.
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.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)
How to Help Children Build Resilience in Uncertain Times
HealthyChildren.org’s How to Help Children Build Resilience in Uncertain Times provides information on the feelings many of us experience during uncertain times and how they provide a chance to model and teach lifelong resilience skills to children.