Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home
The National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home provides information, support, and advocacy for families and pediatric healthcare professionals who care for children with special needs in managed care arrangements. The “medical home” isn’t a place. It is an approach focusing on strengthening and improving the system of care for children and youth with special health care needs and their families.
Located on the American Academy of Pediatrics website, the National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home offers:
- Information on why a medical home is important
- A medical home overview and FAQs
- Tools and resources for families
- Resources for medical professionals
- Care coordination resources
NeuroJourney is an educational resource for parents, caregivers and clinicians navigating the ever-evolving needs of children with severe neurological impairment (SNI).
You can find both practical and medical information and insights from parents and clinicians about the social and emotional experiences common to having a child with SNI. Resources include a Caregiver Worksheet as well as guidance to help build the care team, prompts for conversations with specialists and more.
Newborn Screening: IDPH Genetics Program
This explains the Illinois newborn genetic screening program.
Normal Moments supports Chicagoland families with critically ill/medically complex children up to age 17 by providing help with many household and outdoor tasks. The organization matches volunteers based on the families’ needs, volunteer location and interests. Support includes:
- In-home help with necessary chores such as house cleaning, laundry, pet care and other errands
- Outdoor services such as lawn maintenance and snow removal
- Annual holiday programs
Note that Normal Moments volunteers may not provide care for dependents. A responsible adult over 18 must be in the house while a volunteer is in the house with children.
North Suburban Special Recreational Association
NSSRA offers year-round recreation programs and services for children and adults with disabilities.
Northern Will County Special Recreation Association
Northern Will County Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA) provides year-round, community-based recreational programs and inclusion services for children, teens and adults with special needs.
NWCSRA collaborates with the Bolingbrook Park District, Lockport Township Park District, Plainfield Park District, the Village of Romeoville, Brookeridge Park District and Justice Park District to provide recreation opportunities and special events for area families.
For more information, contact NWCSRA at (815) 407-1819.
Northwest Special Recreation Association
Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) provides general recreation therapy programs, day camps, athletics, inclusion, trips, special events, leisure education, community adult day programs, and one-to-one therapy opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. NWSRA serves 17 northwest suburban Chicago communities in partnership with member park districts.
NWSRA partners with Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Mt. Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, River Trails, Rolling Meadows, Salt Creek, Schaumburg, South Barrington, Streamwood, and Wheeling park districts.
Nurse-Family Partnership of Sangamon County
Nurse-Family Partnership of Sangamon County, provided by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, serves first-time parents in Sangamon County to help improve pregnancy outcomes, child health and development, and economic self-sufficiency.
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) creates positive outcomes through nurse home visitors who work with families from pregnancy until the child’s 2nd birthday. Individuals may qualify for NFP of Sangamon County if they are less than 28 weeks pregnant and have financial, social or health risk factors such as:
- Loss of household income or an inability to pay for living expenses
- Chronic health condition(s) or mental health concerns
- Domestic violence
- Transportation or access to care difficulties
No proof of income is required for enrollment. Referrals can be made by providers, nurses, community services and individuals by calling (217) 545-0175, emailing at siunfp@siumed.edu or using IRIS (integrated referral and intake system) or Touch Works “SIU Nurse-Family Partnership”
The Oley Foundation is a non-profit home nutrition therapy community and advocacy group working to enrich the lives of people living with home IV nutrition or tube feeding. The Oley Foundation provides a wide range of resources covering education, community, awareness and innovation.
Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation – Ollie’s Branch
The Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation (OHHF) offers a variety of information, resources and mental health support for families caring for children with pediatric heart conditions and heart disease. OHHF resources include:
- Free mental health services through Ollie’s Branch. All sessions are completely free regardless of insurance status.
- Financial support for families whose heart warrior is currently inpatient or has been admitted within three months of the request. OHHF Community Outreach requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and can help with housing, utilities, transportation, medical bills, and more.
OHHF’s mental health access program is open to heart-warrior families anywhere in Illinois. Financial support requests may come from anywhere in the United States.