Transition Resources

Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) – City of Chicago

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) provides education and training, benefits counseling, information and referral, direct services and more to help foster accessibility, full participation and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

MOPD services and programs include:

• The HomeMod accessibility modifications program
• Independent living supports
• Accessibility requests and compliance
• Youth services
• A career center
• Transportation, emergency preparedness and more

McHenry County Workforce Network Young Adult Internship Program

The McHenry County Workforce Network Young Adult Internship Program provides opportunities for young adults up to age 24, including paid internships, training, certification and more.

Paid internships at local companies throughout McHenry County including positions in retail, offices, public works departments, not-for-profit organizations and many more.

Classroom training including resume development, interview preparation, career exploration, job search training, etc.

Medical Grants Through United Healthcare Children’s Foundation

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation’s (UHCCF) mission is to help fill the gap between what medical services/items/equipment a child needs and what their commercial health benefit plan will pay for.

UHCCF grants provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.

To be eligible for grants, children must be 16 years of age or younger at the time of application and have a Social Security number. Eligible families must also meet UHCCF’s economic guidelines.

Families could receive up to $5,000 annually and $10,000 a lifetime per child for eligible medical services, treatment therapies, items and equipment.

Mental Health Resources for LGBTQI Individuals

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexed (LGBTQI) community represents a wide diversity of thought, perspective, understanding and experience. For individuals identifying as LGBTQI, it’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a variety of resources as well as important things to consider when seeking an LGBTQI-competent mental health care professional.

Miracle League of Central Illinois

The Miracle League of Central Illinois is a league for children and adults with disabilities that enables them to play baseball on a specially designed adaptive field. The Miracle League of Central Illinois and the town of Normal, Ill., partner to provide this program to a wide range of participants. Scholarships are available to help youth of all abilities participate.

Visit the Miracle League of Central Illinois website to learn more.

Miracle League of Joliet

The Miracle League of Joliet is a non-profit baseball league for children and young adults (ages 4 to 19) with disabilities. The rules emphasize participation, with every player getting a turn to bat in each inning.  A volunteer “Buddy” assists each player at bat and on the field.

League games take place on a custom-designed field featuring a rubberized turf, free from obstacles to ensure players can round the bases and play baseball safely. Visit the Miracle League of Joliet website for more details.

National Resource Center on Supported Decision-Making

National Resources for Access, Independence, Self-Determination and Employment (RAISE) Technical Assistance Center

The National Resources for Access, Independence, Self-Determination and Employment (RAISE) Technical Assistance Center provides technical assistance and resources to support youth and young adults with disabilities and their families during the transition to adulthood. RAISE provides information, toolkits, webinars and support to help individuals:

• Better understand vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs and services
• Communicate more effectively with transition, rehabilitation and other professionals
• Understand the Rehabilitation Act and how it supports employment, supported employment and independent living
• Develop an Individualized Plan for Employment

RAISE’s resources include:

• The RAISE Youth Engagement Toolkit Series
• Parent Centers
• Resources for self-advocates, families, partners and parent centers

Many of the resources are also available in Spanish.

National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C)

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides a wide range of information, training and supports to build and strengthen services and instruction for secondary students and out-of-school youth with disabilities. Its website offers:

• Training and technical assistance.
• Easy-to-find transition topic areas. Each topic includes an additional list of key resources, related topics and training webinars.
• Webinars and toolkits

Navigating Health Insurance and the Health Care System

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.

PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics including:

• Finding and Selecting Insurance
• Making the Most of Your Health Insurance
• Engaging with Insurers: Appealing a Denial
• Patient Advocate Foundation Drug Formulary FAQ

Watch their short tutorial “Welcome to the Education Resource Library” to learn how to find and share materials. Many of the materials are available in English and Spanish.

PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.