Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center
The Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center, funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, educates parents and caregivers of children with special needs on the importance of proper child passenger safety. The Special Needs Child Passenger Resource Center’s main location is at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. A satellite site is located at LaRabida Children’s Hospital, in Chicago. Its services include:
- A resource center for nurseries and organizations across Illinois that provides over-the-phone and in-person consultation and guidance for proper car seat usage and optimum safety.
- Education to parents, groups, hospital staff and certified child passenger safety technicians on changes in national guidelines and new seat choices.
- Proper selection, installation and fitting of special needs restraints for parents and their children.
- A short-term loan program to provide seats to parents in need.
Learn more on the Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center website.
The Special Needs Mom Squad is a non-profit organization based in Lombard. It aims to provide a safe and supportive community where moms of children with special needs can connect, access resources and find emotional and mental support.
The organization helps moms and families through:
- Sensory-friendly events throughout the year
- A safe space where moms can share their stories and feel heard
- Information and resources for understanding their child’s condition
Special Needs Resource Project
The Special Needs Resource Project provides a basic guide for parents of children with chronic health issues, disabilities, and special needs.
Special Recreation Associations in Illinois
The Special Recreation Associations Network of Illinois (SRANI) is a network of therapeutic recreation agencies. Special Recreation Associations provide community-based special recreation services to children and adults with disabilities. You can see a list of special recreation cooperatives available in Illinois.
For more information, visit the SRANI website.
Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding in Southern Illinois
Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding (SES) at Giant City Stables provides opportunities for people with physical and/or emotional disabilities to improve their well-being through riding and working with horses. Children age 4 and up and adults are welcome.
SES at Giant City Stables is a non-profit organization. Scholarships and grants are available for eligible families. For more information, please call (618) 529-4110 or email rachelle@sestherapy.com.
St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago
St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago provides dental care for children and adults with special needs. The Dental Center provides:
- Two operating rooms specifically for oral rehabilitation
- Dentists and surgeons trained to provide complex care, including careful and various levels of sedation
- Services from routine exams and cleanings to advanced orthodontics, crowns, urgent root canals and more
- Help with insurance and payment options
Contact St. Bernard’s Dental Center at Dental@stbh.org or call (773) 962-3976 for more information.
Illinois STAR NET provides a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who touch the lives of young children, ages birth through eight, with an emphasis on children with special needs. STARNET supports family-centered, researched, and effective practices in early childhood education and care.
STARNET
2626 S. Clearbrook Dr.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4626
Phone 224-366-8579
Fax 847-278-5434
Email: starnet@cps.eduState of Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan
CHIP, a state program, to provide health insurance to residents who due to existence/history of a medical condition, are unable to acquire insurance.
State of Illinois Health & Wellness
This site has the special state health care programs listed and links to them. It is a good site when you are searching for a state medical program.
Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp for Children in Eureka, Missouri
BJC Hospice hosts Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp each year for children and teens who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. The weekend-long, overnight camp provides a safe place for campers ages 6 to 15 to explore their grief and emotions.
The camp usually takes place in August and is free for all children who have lost loved ones, not just families served by BJC Hospice (service areas include Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, Calhoun, Marion, Greene and portions of Pike and Perry counties).