Medical, Health and Condition-Specific Information Resources
Family Resource Center on Disabilities COVID-19 Resource Page
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) provides resources for families in the following areas: federal and state guidance, remote learning, assistive and accessible technology, disability health information and resources, COVID-19 preparedness, housing, pets, relief funds, self-care and transportation.
Family Voices Coronavirus Information and Resources
Family Voices has put together COVID-19-related resources that are relevant to families of children and youth with special healthcare needs.
The resources page includes information on the virus itself, housing resources, resources for parents and caregivers, information regarding children and youth adults with complex medical conditions, mental health resources and information in multiple languages.
Family Voices Telehealth Toolkit, Tips and New Telemedicine Family Resource Center
Family-centered telehealth can help children and youth with special healthcare needs and families access health care, improve their experience with health care, reduce stress, improve communication between all team members and across systems, and improve quality of life and well-being. During the COVID-19 outbreak, telehealth is being used more and more. Family Voices features extensive resources to help families and individuals with disabilities better understand, access, prepare for and navigate telehealth appointments.
These resources are in Spanish and English.
“Before, During, and After” is a two-part toolkit providing a checklist and worksheet to help prepare for telehealth visits, note questions or key information during a visit, and provide guidance and clear follow-up steps for each appointment.
Family Voices also provides guidance on how to use telemedicine, what to expect and policy changes. (Click here for the Spanish version.)
FDA Information: At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) provides general information about at-home over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Individuals can use these FDA-authorized tests at home to self-test for COVID.
This site also provides information about:
- Who can use the FDA-authorized tests
- Test expiration dates
- Other details to decide what test is right for you
Find a COVID-19 or Flu Vaccine Near You
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and VaccineFinder from Boston Children’s Hospital, Vaccines.gov provides information and help with:
- Finding a COVID-19 vaccine or booster or a flu shot at a location near you
- Making an appointment
- Answering frequently asked questions about the vaccines
Vaccines.gov also provides a COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline in multiple languages at (800) 232-0233 or (888) 720-7489 (TTY).
A Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) providing COVID-19 vaccination support for people with disabilities is also available at (888) 677-1199 or DIAL@n4a.org.
UPDATE: As of March 9, 2024, the free COVID-19 Test Program is suspended and no longer taking orders.
Every home in the United States is eligible to order another round of free at-home tests through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) at https://special.usps.com/testkits. You can learn more at www.covid.gov/tests.
- There is a limit of one order per residential address.
- Your order of four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests will be shipped free.
- If an order has not been placed for your address since the program reopened on September 25, 2023, you can place two orders that will be shipped free.
Individuals who are blind or have low vision can learn about ordering more accessible at-home COVID-19 tests here.
For those who cannot access the internet or need help placing an order, please call (800) 232-0233 or the TTY line at (888) 720-7489.
If you have COVID-19 tests at home, you can see the full list of extended expiration dates on the Federal food and Drug Administration’s website.
Free COVID-19 Rapid Tests for Vulnerable Illinoisans
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is distributing at-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to economically disadvantaged Illinois families in zip codes outside the city of Chicago. Households can:
- Find out if they are in an eligible zip code
- Request one package of five tests
- Get tests on a first-come, first-served basis at the Project ACT website
The tests will be delivered to the home address.
Free COVID-19 testing locations are available throughout the state, including in Chicago. You can find testing sites on the IDPH website’s testing locator page.
Get Out the Vaccine is a website from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities that provides information to help people with disabilities and their families make informed decisions about being vaccinated for COVID-19.
Greater Elgin Family Care Center Virtual Visits
Greater Elgin Family Care Center patients now have the option of having an appointment with a practitioner through a Virtual Visit.
Guidance for Evaluating a Child’s Medical Tolerance for Use of Face Coverings in Schools
This document from the Illinois Department of Public Health provides guidance to pediatric healthcare providers for evaluating a child’s medical tolerance for use of face coverings in schools and recommendations for evaluating symptomatic individuals.