Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens
HealthyChildren.org, the parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) teens information on understanding, supporting and remembering that each child is unique and will have their own experiences and feelings along the way.
“Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens” provides help for parents and children navigating the many aspects of acceptance.
Community Action Agencies work with local community organizations and non-profit partners to provide assistance to Illinois families with items including:
- Rental Assistance
- Food
- Energy Utility Bill Assistance
- Water/Sewer Payment
- Employment Training/Placement
- Financial Management
- Temporary Shelter
This link provides a local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) search tool that can help you find programs in your area.
Community and Residential Services Authority (CRSA)
The Community and Residential Services Authority (CRSA) is an interagency group that identifies and addresses barriers facing parents, families, professionals and providers trying to get needed services and programs for individuals with a behavior disorder or a severe emotional disturbance. CRSA’s free and confidential services include:
- Helping agencies, schools and parents form working partnerships using a team approach
- Addressing/resolving multiple agency disagreements about residential placement or funding of placement and services
- Assisting local communities in developing and strengthening collaborative interagency networking on request
You can also call CRSA to connect with a program coordinator who will listen and help you develop a plan of care at (877) 541-2772 or (217) 782-2438.
Community Connection Point is a regional agency that is recognized as a leader, catalyst and resource for making high quality, affordable childcare and education options available for children and families in the Illinois counties of Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott.
Community Housing Advocacy & Development (CHAD)
Community Housing Advocacy & Development (CHAD) is a nonprofit corporation that provides quality, affordable, long-term rental housing to income-qualifying, hardworking individuals and families who struggle to support themselves.
CHAD has over 500 housing units of all property types in 30 communities across DuPage, Kane, Will and portions of Cook counties in northeastern Illinois. Properties include apartment homes, condominiums, duplexes, townhouses, and single-family homes. CHAD offers below-market rents to income-qualified applicants.
Community Nurse Health Center provides primary medical care and dental care. Services are available to all families and individuals regardless of your insurance status or ability to pay. A sliding fee is available for low-income and uninsured individuals. Medicaid is accepted.
CommunityGro Community Garden and Food Program in Galesburg
CommunityGro equips people with the resources, education, and support to grow food for their communities. The program seeks to continue bridging the food security gap, creating self-sufficiency, and lasting solutions for food accessibility in Knox County.
To learn more contact communitygro61401@gmail.com or (309) 299-1802. You can also visit the CommunityGro Facebook page.
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a self-help bereavement organization, providing support to bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, and close family members who are going through the natural grieving process following the death of a child of any age (from pre-birth to adult) from any cause.
TCF resources include:
- Grief materials and information for the newly bereaved
- A meeting locator tool to help you find a chapter near you
- An online support community and live chats
- A downloadable, online magazine
- A comprehensive list of similar nonprofit organizations
Complex Care at Home for Children
The Complex Care at Home for Children website aims to provide an educational resource for parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity. The site offers information and tools to help facilitate daily care, ensuring a safe environment for the child and family. Topics include:
- Tracheostomy and other types of respiratory care
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Enterostomy care
- Enteral nutrition
- Parenteral nutrition
- Intravenous antibiotic therapy
- Intermittent bladder catheterization
Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS)
Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS) serves youth ages 11 to 17 who are involved in the legal system or at risk of crisis (homelessness, etc.). CCBY provides programs to help stabilize families and prevent or minimize involvement in the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems. Anyone can request services for an eligible youth, including the youth.
CCBY services include:
- Assessments
- Statewide 24/7 crisis intervention services
- Juvenile justice system intervention services
- Placement services for crisis youth – shelter, foster care, etc.
You can contact the toll-free CCBYS Information Line at (877) 870-2663.