Educational Resources

Resources for Homeschool Information

HSLDA Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children and to protect family freedoms. They provide homeschool-related legal advice and representation to our 84,000+ member families, promote homeschool-friendly legislation at the state and federal levels, and offer information and resources to encourage and support all homeschoolers.

Illinois State Homeschooling Law

Illinois H.O.U.S.E.

Illinois HOUSE is a statewide network of support groups for people involved in homeschooling. They provide email and phone support about issues related to Illinois homeschooling. Common questions include how to withdraw a child from public school, what the school district needs from homeschooling families and how to deal with officials who ask for more than they’re entitled to receive. They have member groups throughout the Chicago suburban area and more spread across the state.

The Homeschool Mom-Illinois Homeschooling Resources

TheHomeSchoolMom’s local resource listings are sponsored by Time4Learning, where you can find resources, support groups, test prep info, and more.

Illinois Resources for Developmental Disability

PUNS Program

The IDHS Division of Developmental Disabilities provides person-first services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Clearbrook Agency

For more than 6 decades, Clearbrook has been providing top-quality programming and services to children and adults across a variety of disabilities. We offer personalized children’s, adult day, employment, residential and clinical services at more than 50 locations throughout Chicagoland. In addition, Clearbrook is the largest provider of home-based services in the state of Illinois. We invite you to learn more by reviewing our webpages or calling Clearbrook’s Director of Admissions, Heidi Raymond, at 847.870.7711.

Ray Graham Association

“With our broad array of educational, vocational, community, respite, early intervention, recreational, home-based and residential programs and services, we are able to find just the right way to empower each of the amazing, gifted individuals we serve.Empowering people with disabilities has been our mission since 1950.Their success has been, and will always be, what motivates and inspires us.”

Complex Child

Complex Child is a monthly online magazine written by parents of children with special healthcare needs and disabilities. It is intended to provide medical information, along with personal experiences, in simple language that other parents can understand.

Medline

Medline is the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies uniquely positioned to provide products, education and support across the continuum of care. Our ability to bring best practices from one care setting to another — from large healthcare systems and independent physician practices to home health patients and their families, is what sets us apart.

Kids’ Waivers

This list contains all of the Medicaid waivers, regardless of type, available for children in the United States, ordered alphabetically by state. The list can display up to 100 programs and is sortable by state, program type, ages served, level of care, population served, and income waiver.

Illinois Resources for Mental Illness

Family Support Program

The Family Support Program (formerly the ICG) provides  access to intensive mental health services and supports to youth with a severe emotional disturbance.  The goal of the FSP is to support eligible youth and their families by strengthening family stability, improving clinical outcomes, and promoting community-based services. Questions regarding the FSP may be directed to HFS via phone at 217-557-1000, or via email at HFS.BBH@illinois.gov

Amita Mercy Behavioral Health

From depression to anxiety and other related conditions, we can help kids and teens get the care they need. We offer programs for children and teens ages 5 and older.

Linden Oaks Behavioral Health

We treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-injury for adolescents and adults. We are a leading center for the treatment of substance abuse and offer services for each stage of the recovery process, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, residential (for adults) and detoxification. Our comprehensive eating disorders program is nationally known and locally preferred.

Streamwood Behavioral Health Hospital

Children and young adults are programmed together while the adolescents are programmed separately based upon gender and differing developmental and psychiatric needs. These programs provide intensive evaluation, stabilization, and short-term treatment for:

Children – ages 3-12
Adolescent Males – ages 12-17
Adolescent Females – ages 12-17
Adults – ages 18-50
Child and Adolescent Autism Spectrum – ages 8-17
Male Intensive Restoration – ages 13-17

Special Education Resources

HSLDA Struggling Learners 

Wrights Law

Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

Understood

For learning and attention issues.

STEPS For Kids

Our highly skilled staff specializes in meeting the developmental needs of children from birth through adolescence.  Trained and knowledgeable about pediatrics, we provide comprehensive assessment and treatment that meets each child’s needs while addressing the concerns most important to the family.  Services are always individualized, family centered and outcome oriented using best clinical practices to help each child reach their true potential.

Special Education Law (Illinois)

The Illinois State Board of Education partners with school districts to provide programs and services for students with specialized educational needs. Special Education Services assures that these programs and services meet state and federal requirements. This involves both compliance and technical assistance functions.

Fox Clinical Services

Fox Clinical Services offers a range of mental health services including neuropsychological and psychological testing, Cogmed Brain Training, counseling services for children, adolescents, and adults, family counseling, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Parents’ Guide to Understanding Special Education in Illinois (English)

Parents’ Guide to Understanding Special Education in Illinois (Spanish)

Non-Public Special Education Programs in Illinois

Guidelines for Choosing an Educational Advocate

If you have a child with a disability, you may decide to hire a paraprofessional or a “lay advocate” to assist you in ensuring that your child’s educational needs are met. These advocates, who are not attorneys, may be able to assist with consultation, letter writing, or meetings with schools.

Whitted Takiff LLC

Whitted, Takiff + Hansen, LLC, is a focused education, disability, and child advocacy law firm located in Northbrook, Illinois. We represent parents, institutions, and professionals in the greater Chicago area, Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, and the other collar counties, and throughout northern Illinois.

Autism Home Support Services

We provide center and in-home ABA therapy in the Chicago, Ann Arbor and Denver metropolitan areas.

Behavioral Perspectives, INC

BPI provides services in Illinois and Ohio, intending to reach children and families with the highest needs for ABA.