Category: Parenting

IDD Navigator

December 16, 2025

The IDD Navigator website is a free public directory that connects you with service providers, support organizations, government programs, advocacy tools, and more in Illinois. If you’re unsure where to turn or are having difficulty navigating the options on your own, the IDD Navigator can assist individuals or families seeking services for those with IDD. 

On the homepage, watch the video titled “How to Use the IDD Navigator Website” for additional guidance. Use the navigation bar to access the resource library, media library, IDD acronym guide, and to locate independent service coordination agencies (ISC).

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Class Central

April 6, 2024

The Class Central catalog brings courses from many providers into one place with a catalog of over 100,000 online courses in the online learning-verse. Take courses from Coursera, edX, Udemy, Google, TEDx, and universities worldwide on almost any subject. Class Central’s goal is to make online education work for everyone. Note: Class Central is not involved in running courses; their goal is to connect users to the right course.

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Illinois Crisis Prevention Network (ICPN)

March 12, 2024

Illinois Crisis Prevention Network’s (ICPN) mission is to bridge the gap between crisis management and crisis prevention by providing support and stability for children and adults experiencing behavioral, mental health, or medical challenges so that they may live and flourish in their community. ICPN offers community-based services and support to those referred, their families, provider agencies, schools, places of employment, and community day service programs.

ICPN’s Support Services Teams (SST) assist on a statewide basis. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS-DDD) generates referrals to ICPN to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many of whom are dually diagnosed with a mental illness and are experiencing complex behavioral or medical challenges. See the link above for details on the referral process.

ICPN provides professional development via evidence-based and best-practice learning opportunities to families and agencies across Illinois. Their clinicians offer onsite and virtual community-based workshops that are open to all community members and free of charge. ICPN is an approved CEU provider for various specialties. See the Professional Development segment of their website for more information.

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Behavior Frontiers

March 12, 2024

Behavior Frontiers is committed to offering gold-standard autism care with highly trained clinicians dedicated to using ABA to create the most effective, individualized programs to enhance the lives of individuals with autism and other special needs. Our mission is to provide each family and child with the highest quality individualized behavioral services possible and to provide our employees with the highest quality training and supervision in ABA therapy techniques.

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Autism Support Chicago

March 12, 2024

Autism Support Chicago is dedicated to enhancing the lives of the children and families served by providing them with tools and techniques to better communicate and learn. Their focus is on increasing your child’s behavior to communicate and decreasing the number of challenging behaviors they face throughout the day. They want to meet your child where they are and help them live their life to the fullest. Autism Support Chicago believes in-home treatment is the most beneficial form of ABA therapy – your child will feel most comfortable in their home, and you can watch your child’s progress and take part in their therapy.

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Action Behavior Centers

March 12, 2024

Action Behavior Centers’ leading ABA therapy centers can help your child receive an autism diagnosis with their autism spectrum test. Whether your child with autism needs services in the center, at home, or after school, Action Behavior Centers’ ABA therapists can help your child achieve success on the spectrum.

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LifeSpeed Behavioral Support Services

March 12, 2024

LifeSpeed provides systematic behavioral support to children, adolescents, and adults to ensure each person they work with is successful in accomplishing their goals. LifeSpeed team members are committed, compassionate, and competent professionals who will strive to exceed your expectations from start to finish. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will create an individualized Treatment Plan grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). When appropriate, LifeSpeed offers low-intensity behavioral interventions [4-10 hours per week].

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UIC Developmental Disabilities Clinic

March 12, 2024

As part of the University of Illinois at Chicago and the state of Illinois’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities​, the Developmental Disabilities Family Clinic has access to innovative research centers and renowned leaders in the field of disabilities​ to connect you to the latest research and practices in consultation, support, and education for the disability community. They provide family-centered, culturally competent comprehensive services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. They aim to maximize potential with a focus on quality of life. Its clinical staff takes a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to providing services for individuals (ages 3+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Services transcend their physical space and extend into the community, collaborating with and serving as a resource for community-based agencies, schools, and organizations. Its licensed and credentialed team includes social workers, speech-language pathologists, licensed professional counselors, physicians, and clinical psychologists.

Their team offers support in the following areas and more.
Autism Clinic and The Autism Program (TAP) Training Center
Coalition for Autistic and ND Students
Child and Family Development Center
Sibling Leadership Network
Chicagoland Disables People of Color Coalition
Individualized Support related to autism, transition to adulthood services and future planning, early intervention, emotional and behavioral consultation, dual diagnosis, social skills and relationships, and trauma.

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JCFS Chicago

March 12, 2024

JCFS Chicago provides integrative counseling services and psychological testing to understand learning differences and cognitive, emotional, and other mental health disorders. Their expert therapists offer guidance to help children, teens, and adults find solutions to the challenges they face. With services infused with Jewish values and compassion, JCFS Chicago works to make the community inclusive and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

The JCFS family of services includes:
-therapeutic day school, speech-language, occupational therapy, psychological testing and evaluation, and behavioral assessments and interventions for children and young adults;
-individual and family counseling, support groups, marriage counseling, career services, and training;
-community-based group living, support, and assistance for independent living, customized employment, and job training for people with disabilities and their families;
-immigration, citizenship, and refugee resettlement services;
-clinical support for children and families in the child welfare system;
-and Jewish community programs, such as addiction services, abuse prevention, spiritual support, and connections to JCFS services through community partnerships.

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Udemy

March 12, 2024

Udemy is committed to improving lives through learning. Whether you want to learn a new skill, train your teams, or share your knowledge with the world, you’re in the right place. As a leader in online learning, Udemy strives to help you achieve your goals and transform your life.

Udemy offers courses from critical workplace skills to technical topics, plus prep content for over 200 industry-recognized certifications. The Udemy catalog supports well-rounded professional development and spans multiple languages. Many free courses on various topics are available, including wellness, personal development, office productivity, and more.

Udemy is available for personal use through enterprise access. Enjoy a free trial or request a demonstration. Parenting-focused courses are available under Personal Development. In the Business category, HR professionals can benefit from options on recruiting, talent management, DEI, interviewing skills, and more. Development teams can benefit from sessions on marketing strategies, storytelling, and social media. Take courses on AI and ChatGPT. Choose courses taught by real-world experts and learn at your own pace, with lifetime access on mobile and desktop.