Resource Directory /

General Resources

  • Variety – The Children’s Charity of St. Louis

    Variety’s St. Louis location serves children and teens with special needs under the age of 21 and their families living in 30 counties in Missouri and Illinois surrounding St. Louis.

    The charity aims to help children with disabilities fulfill their potential by providing access to vital medical equipment, therapy and innovative programs. The Illinois counties in Variety’s service area are: Bond, Calhoun, Clay, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington.

    Opportunities include:

    • Variety family social groups
    • Venturing Crew inclusive program for youth ages 14-20
    • Adventure Camp
    • Performing arts

  • Violence Prevention and Support Resources

    The Illinois Department of Public Health put together this list of violence prevention and support resources.

    Topics covered include mental health and crisis support, violence prevention and intervention support, and report of child abuse or abuse of an older adult or adult with a disability.

  • Virtual Respite Provider Training Course

    The Illinois Respite Coalition provides a free, online Respite Provider Training Program consisting of ten courses for individuals interested in providing respite care. The courses can be taken on your own time and will provide information to meet the Respite Care Professionals Core Competencies.

    Following completion, participants will a certificate of completion and have the option of joining the statewide registry to be connected to respite opportunities.

    Download the flyer for the Respite Provider Training Course.

  • Voting Checklist for People With Disabilities

    Easterseals has a Voting Checklist for People with Disabilities to help people with disabilities make sure their voice is heard at the polls. The checklist explains how to learn about elections in your area, your rights as a voter with a disability,  what to do if your rights are being violated and more. You can also download a voting resource card to take with you to the polls.

  • Wabash Area Development, Inc. (WADI) in Enfield

    Wabash Area Development, Inc. (WADI) is a Community Action Agency serving Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Wabash, Wayne, White and Saline counties. WADI provides emergency help for homeless and low-income families and individuals. It also offers education, housing, homeless prevention and job training programs to empower people to become more self-sufficient. WADI services and programs include:

    • Energy assistance
    • Emergency transitional housing
    • Head Start/Early Head Start
    • Rental housing support
    • Work experience,  on-the-job training and employment assistance
    • Education scholarship opportunities

  • Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends Energy Assistance Foundation Program

    Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF) Energy Assistance Foundation provides year-round help with energy bills and making homes more energy efficient for income-qualified families.  The program helps low-to-moderate-income individuals and families who don’t qualify for federal assistance.  Visit the WNCF website to learn about:

    • Income and eligibility guidelines
    • Program coverage areas
    • Help for weatherizing your home
    • Energy bill payment programs

  • Western Avenue Community Center in Bloomington

    Western Avenue Community Center (WACC) offers programs for youth and seniors, interpretation and translation services, and a food program. WACC programs are open to anyone in the community. Its programs include:

    • Interpretation and translation services in French and Spanish for medical, legal, educational and other general documents
    • Mentoring and after-school programs
    • Adult education and GED classes
    • The Mamás Hogareñas Group to educate and support all moms in the community
    • Food program for the Bloomington-Normal community
    • Fitness programs

  • Western DuPage Special Recreation Association

    Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) provides recreation and social opportunities for individuals with a wide range of disabilities. From ages 3 to their senior years, individuals can enjoy adaptive sports, athletics, camps, social clubs, trips and more. WDSRA is a cooperative extension of nine park districts and serves the communities/member districts of Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.

    WDSRA programs include:

    • Rec & Roll for individuals ages 22 to 55 with an intellectual disability
    • Adaptive sports and athletic programming
    • Camps
    • Cultural arts
    • Social programs and clubs
    • Trips and special events

  • What is Autism? Q and A

    For parents and teachers who wish to learn more about autism to better support children and families in the autism community, the Illinois Early Learning Project (IEL) provides “What is Autism?”

    This question-and-answer style document includes information about the prevalence and defining characteristics of autism, community- and school-based supports and links to additional resources.

  • Will-Grundy Transition Planning Committee

    The Will-Grundy Transition Planning Committee strives to connect families to community-based services and providers for students and adults with disabilities. Made up of schools, agencies and not-for-profit organizations, the group is working together to improve vocational transition from education to jobs for all learners but particularly for individuals with disabilities.

    The Will-Grundy Transition Planning Committee provides:

    • Educational events
    • A resource directory covering Will, Grundy and Kendall counties
    • Recorded videos on a variety of topics
    • Information about community resources and service providers grouped by type (advocacy, assistive technology, etc.)