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In Illinois, there are 263,890 children under the age of 18 living in homes where a relative is head of household. More than 70,000 grandparents are caring for their grandchildren. The Illinois Department on Aging, in cooperation with the Illinois Task Force on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, works to locate, assist and promote awareness of older caregivers who are currently raising their family's children.

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Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren?

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In Illinois, there are 220,088 children under the age of 18 are living in a grandparent-headed home. More than 100,000 grandparents are caring for their grandchildren.

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What now?

You may be wondering whether you will have enough money for food, who will take care of your child, or how you will cope with illness or emergencies. There are many services to help you and your family at this difficult time. The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) wants to make sure you know what those services are and how to get them.

More information on these programs, and how to know if you qualify for them, can be found on the DHS web site. Go to https://www.dhs.state.il.us and click on the "For Customers" link.

You may also call our DHS Help Line at 800-843-6154 (voice) or 866-324-5553 (TTY).

This line is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for state holidays.

Here is how DHS can help

Cash - There are many different programs to help people who need cash assistance. If you are eligible for one or more of these, you will be given an Illinois Link Card. DHS also offers free help with your taxes.

Child Care - The Department offers safe and healthy child care to working families at over 100 child care centers. Please see the child care eligibility calculator on the DHS website to learn if you qualify. See Child Care for more information and programs.

Early Intervention - The Early Intervention program helps infants and toddlers under three years of age who have (or may have) a developmental delay to learn and grow.

Developmental Disability Services - The Department provides many services to meet the special needs of persons with developmental disabilities. Although funding is limited for these services, the Department can tell you where to go for more information.

Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities - There are many services for people with disabilities, such as job skills training and/or help finding jobs; services to help you continue living in your own home or move into a residential living facility; educational services; and help with applying for benefits. Read more on Disability & Rehabilitation services.

Food - Hungry people need food. Illinois has several programs to help, including SNAP (food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants and Children), and the WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program. Also the DHS website can help you locate emergency food supplies in your community. More information on Food Services.

Health and Medical - You may qualify for health benefits through Medicaid. Other health programs include the WIC food and nutrition program, Family Case Management, and immigrant health services. Read more on Health & Medical Assistance.

Housing - DHS helps you find emergency food and shelter if you are homeless or might soon become homeless or need affordable housing. We also provide in-home assistance for people with developmental disabilities and help homeless youth to find stable housing and get other needed services. Read more on Housing.

Mental Health Services - The Department provides mental health services in your community, and will also help you know who to talk to and where to go for help.

Pregnancy and Parenting - DHS has information and programs to help you have healthy babies; become a better parent; plan if or when to have children; and/or finish your education.

Violence and Abuse Prevention - The Department offers shelter for victims of domestic violence and help for victims of sexual assault. We also help those who abuse others to change their lifestyle. Learn more about Violence & Abuse Prevention Services.

Youth Services - DHS provides positive activities for 6 to 17 year olds outside of school time, and services to prepare youth for college. The Department also provides community-based programming for help young people who are in trouble with the law; who are in crisis (they have run away from home or their parents will not allow them to go home); or who are parents of young children. Learn more about Youth Services.

Alcoholism and Addiction - DHS provides treatment services for alcoholism and addiction at treatment facilities across the state. Clinical staff are specially trained to work with people who seek treatment. More information on Alcoholism & Addiction Services.

For further information or answers to frequently asked questions, go to https://www.dhs.state.il.us and click on the "For Customers" link.

You may also call our DHS Help Line at 800-843-6154 (voice) or 866-324-5553 (TTY). This line is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for state holidays.

For more information:

Call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services' Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).

If you have questions about any Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) program, call or visit your FCRC. We will answer your questions. If you do not know where your FCRC is or if you are unable to go there, you may call the automated help line 24 hours a day at:

You may speak to a representative between 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday (except state holidays)

For answers to your questions, you may also write:

Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Customer Support and Services
100 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, Illinois 62762

Visit our web site at: www.dhs.state.il.us

Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.

DHS 4321 (R-07-14) Services for Children and Families of Incarcerated Individuals
Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois.

2,000 copies P.O.# 15-0066

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IDHS: So Your Family Member is in Prison - DHS 4321

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State of Illinois
Department of Human Services

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I THANK YOU AND THE VA for your amazing contributions. It puts my mind at ease for our future medical needs and housing needs. God bless you! Greg & Kathy Strasser.

And I know who to recommend to my friends as well.
- The Strassers

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Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County | Operated by and for veterans

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I THANK YOU AND THE VA for your amazing contributions. It puts my mind at ease for our future medical needs and housing needs. God bless you! Greg & Kathy Strasser. And I know who to recommend to my friends as well. - The Strassers

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Programs & Services

The Will County Health Department and Community Health Center's Mission is to prevent disease and promote a healthier environment for all residents, business operators, and visitors. Our agency of professionally trained staff work cohesively to assure public health and safety measures are maintained through services and programs the department provides based on the needs of the community.

Our Vision is to deliver sustainable programs and policies in response to the public health needs of the community.

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Will County Health Department - Deliver sustainable programs and policies in response to the public health needs of the community."

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The Will County Health Department and Community Health Center's Mission is to prevent disease and promote a healthier environment for all residents, business operators, and visitors. Our agency of professionally trained staff work cohesively to assure public health and safety measures are maintained through services and programs the department provides based on the needs of the community.

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Will County Food Pantries in Joliet and Crete, IL | MPX

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The Go-To Online Food Pantry In Will County. Order FREE groceries online from one of our food pantries in Joliet or Crete, IL.

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Joliet Public Library - ESL and Literacy

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We invite you to visit both of our locations where we bring together the resources, services, and expertise to inspire Joliet residents of all ages to READ, EXPLORE, ASK, DISCOVER

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Groundwork - Guardian Angel Community Services, Joliet Illinois

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Groundwork Domestic Violence Program Where Victims Become Survivors History In 1983 Groundwork was established to serve domestic violence victims and their children. At that time the Illinois Coalition against Domestic Violence (ICADV) designated Will County as a priority area for the development of a domestic violence program.

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If an individual or family is homeless on the streets or residing in an emergency shelter, transitional housing program, permanent supportive housing program, or rapid rehousing program they may be eligible for assistance through Homeless Services.

If a individual or family is about to be on the streets, in a place not meant for human habitation, or access emergency shelter services, limited services may be available to assist them to retain their rental unit or to be placed into a new rental unit.

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will county center for community concerns

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Homeless Services Assistance in Will County, Illinois

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If an individual or family is homeless on the streets or residing in an emergency shelter, transitional housing program, permanent supportive housing program, or rapid rehousing program they may be eligible for assistance through Homeless Services.

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2023-2024 LIHEAP Application Process

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist eligible households pay for winter energy services, including gas, electric and furnace repair assistance.
APPLICATION START DATES
11/1/23
Households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. 12/1/23
All other income eligible households. Download an Informational Flyer Learn more about LIHEAP
Todos los demás hogares con ingresos elegibles.
Hogares que están desconectados de sus utilidades, tienen un aviso de desconexión o tienenmenos del 25% en su tanque de propano. 10/2/23
Seniors, Disabled, Families with children under the age of six years.
Adultos Mayores, Discapacitados, Familias con niños menores de seis años.

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will county center for community concerns

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Will County Center for Community Concerns

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Assisting and enabling low and moderate income individuals in Will County, Illinois to obtain the opportunities needed to prepare themselves for self-sufficiency through programs and services.

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Raising a family is rewarding and challenging and sometimes families can fall on hard times and need a helping hand. Illinois offers several resources for families to help with financial assistance, food and good health. Use the resources below to offer a healthy and happy home for your family.

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Developmental screenings provide parents and professionals with information on whether a child's development is similar to children of the same age. Screenings cannot diagnose but can target areas of concern that may indicate further assessments. The screening tool used is called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). It is a parent completed tool that has the parent/caregiver answer questions regarding their child's development. Click here for a screener:
Find a Screening near you
For more information Click this video

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Community Development Screenings for Children

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Developmental screenings provide parents and professionals with information on whether a child's development is similar to children of the same age. Screenings cannot diagnose but can target areas of concern that may indicate further assessments. The screening tool used is called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).

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What is the purpose of this service?

To help children between the ages of birth to three with disabilities or delays, to learn and grow.

Who can receive these services?

Families with an eligible infant or toddler from birth to three years old.

What services are offered?

Infants and toddlers are evaluated to see if there is a delay in:

movement,

learning,

dealing with others,

behavior, and/or

self-help skills.

If services are needed, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be written to set goals and identify needs.

Families, with the support of Early Intervention Providers, help their infants and toddlers reach their goals.

How to apply?

Use the DHS Office Locator to find an Early Intervention Child and Family Connections office in your local area.

Call 1-800-843-6154 (Voice/TTY).

Additional Information

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To help children between the ages of birth to three with disabilities or delays, to learn and grow. Families with an eligible infant or toddler from birth to three years old. Infants and toddlers are evaluated to see if there is a delay in: movement, learning, dealing with others, behavior, and/or self-help skills.

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Child Care Resource & Referral – “Changing Children’s Outcomes”

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Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) is a nonprofit agency providing services to families, child care providers, and employers. CCR&R was founded in January of 1991 with the United Way of Will County as its fiscal agent. The organization serves Will, Grundy, Kendall and Kankakee counties and is p…

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Children and adolescents enrolled in Medicaid should receive both vision and hearing screenings at each well-child check-up. If a primary care provider suspects that a child has a vision or hearing problem, the child should receive further evaluation and necessary treatment. Medicaid coverage for children and adolescents provides low-income children and adolescents many services that can detect and address vision and hearing problems.

State Medicaid agencies can take simple, concrete steps to ensure that enrolled children and adolescents receive these vision and hearing services. States should review their Medicaid benefits for children and adolescents to make sure that vision and hearing screening schedules and content are up-to-date, methods for informing enrollees about benefits are effective, and procedures are in place to ensure referral to and tracking of vision and hearing services.

Why are Vision and Hearing Screenings and Services so Important?

About a quarter of all school-aged children have a significant vision problem. Too few children receive the vision screening services that they need, which means that they go through childhood with untreated visual impairment. Common childhood eye conditions include nearsightedness, lazy eye (amblyopia), and misalignment of the eyes (strabismus). Left untreated, these eye conditions can create far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. In fact, amblyopia is the most common cause of single eye vision loss among adults 20 to 70 years old.

Two to three out of every 1,000 children are born with hearing impairments, which can range from mild to profound. Many more children develop hearing problems after birth. These problems can have a negative impact on language and speech development, academic performance, and overall well-being. Research shows that identifying and treating hearing impairments early - before 6 months of age - can help prevent these outcomes.

Although over 95 percent of all newborns receive a hospital-based hearing screening shortly after birth through state Early Hearing Detection and Intervention programs, many children with impaired hearing are not receiving early diagnosis and treatment for hearing conditions. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that half of the newborns who fail a routine hearing screening do not get further diagnostic testing to determine whether their hearing is impaired or normal. Of the newborns diagnosed with hearing problems, more than 30 percent do not receive early intervention services. In addition, newborn hearing screening cannot identify all types of hearing problems, and children can develop hearing impairments long after birth. Recent research indicates that the rate of hearing problems among adolescents is increasing. However, the same Office of Inspector General report indicates that, in the nine states studied, 67 percent of children enrolled in Medicaid did not receive recommended hearing screening services.

Eye Condition

Definition

Amblyopia

Poor vision in an otherwise normal appearing eye that occurs when the brain does not fully recognize sight from that eye. Common causes are strabismus and refractive errors.

Strabismus

Misalignment of the eyes in any direction, including the inability to direct two eyes in the same direction.

Refractive Errors

The most common vision problem of childhood, often nearsightedness and/or astigmatism.

Binocular Vision Disorders

These include convergence insufficiency and ill-sustained accommodation.

Vision and Hearing Screening and Treatment Requirements in the Medicaid Benefit for Children and Adolescents

Periodicity Schedule

AA periodicity schedule shows the ages when a child should receive screening services. States must adopt periodicity schedules for vision and hearing screening that meet reasonable standards of medical practice. States also should update the schedules as necessary to stay current with published guidelines. When adopting or updating a periodicity schedule, states must consult with recognized medical organizations involved in child health care, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

In addition to periodic screenings, children are entitled to receive "interperiodic" screenings whenever a provider, a parent, or a health, developmental, or educational professional suspects a possible problem.

Content of the Screening

States must set standards for conducting and documenting age-appropriate vision and hearing assessments. CMS has directed states to consult with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and audiologists to determine screening procedures to use and the criteria for determining when a child is referred for diagnostic examination.

Diagnosis and Treatment

When a screening shows possible vision or hearing problems the child should be referred for further evaluation. EPSDT requires Medicaid coverage of necessary diagnostic and treatment services, including further testing, eyeglasses, hearing aids, replacement batteries, and cochlear implants, even if the services are not covered for adults. States must arrange for treatment, and the treatment must be provided with reasonable promptness.

States Must Inform Enrollees About the Medicaid Benefit for Children and Adolescents

States must inform eligible children and their families about the following:

The importance of preventive care;

The services available and how and where to obtain the services;

That the services are available without cost, or if there is a cost, how much; and

That transportation and help with scheduling appointments are available upon request.

Under both Medicaid and CHIP, there is never a charge for well-child visits. States must provide information using clear and nontechnical language within 60 days after an individual or family is determined eligible for Medicaid, as well as annually thereafter. States must also inform Medicaid-eligible pregnant women about the availability of the Medicaid benefit for children and adolescents.

For examples of written materials that states use to inform eligible children and their families, see Minnesota's Child and Teen Checkups brochure and Illinois's Healthy Kids Checkups brochure.

References

CMS, EPSDT - A Guide for States: Coverage of the Medicaid Benefit for Children and Adolescents (2014).

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Vision and Hearing Screening Services for Children and Adolescents

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Children and adolescents enrolled in Medicaid should receive both vision and hearing screenings at each well-child check-up. If a primary care provider suspects that a child has a vision or hearing problem, the child should receive further evaluation and necessary treatment.