Tag: Advocacy

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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ABA Midwest

March 12, 2024

ABAMidwest offers board-certified behavior analysts with extensive formal training and experience in applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for those with autism and other intellectual developmental delays. ABA Midwest Education, LTD is dedicated to providing quality individualized services to their patients, families, and professionals.

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Arc of Illinois

March 12, 2024

Behavior support services are provided to persons with an assessed need for adaptive skills training.

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Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

March 12, 2024

The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission protects the rights and promotes the welfare of persons with disabilities. The Commission is an executive state agency created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. By providing legal representation, investigating complaints of rights violations, and providing state guardianship for Illinois’ population with disabilities, the Commission has given voice to those who have previously gone unheard.

Visit the website above for contact information and guardianship-focused details related to the Office of State Guardian (such as guardianship training and OSG forms), the Human Rights Authority (guardianship fact sheet, sexual education, and sexual rights), the Legal Advocacy Service (clients facing judicial proceedings, advanced directive forms), and the Special Education Initiative (SPED FAQs, supported decision-making).

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PHI

March 12, 2024

PHI assists agencies in meeting the needs of direct care workers and their clients in a variety of long-term care settings. It helps implement best practices through hands-on coaching, training, and consulting to help providers deliver high-quality care. PHI supports policymakers and advocates in crafting evidence-based policies to advance quality care.

PHI fosters dignity, respect, and independence—for all who receive care and all who provide it. PHI promotes quality direct care jobs as the foundation for quality care.

Today’s providers want to know that their staff share their commitment to quality and are equipped to deliver it. PHI offers training and consulting services to meet this need to attract quality people, achieve cost efficiencies, and reduce turnover.

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IARF

March 12, 2024

The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities has been the voice of human service organizations in government. IARF has worked to provide agencies with individual consultation on issues that affect them specifically, including Annual Frontline Supervisor Training and CEUs for QIDPs, Nursing Home Administrators, and Social Workers.

Association staff provide frequent legislative and policy updates that affect members and non-members alike. Webinars are available for member organizations, both live and on-demand. IARFuture Leadership Initiative helps grow the leaders of tomorrow. IARF hosts an annual conference and expo with a variety of educational sessions for all staff levels.

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Blue Tower Solutions

March 12, 2024

Blue Tower Solutions is dedicated to elevating the voices of people with disabilities and striving for equity in services and solutions. Blue Tower Solutions engages individuals, organizations, and systems to create cultures of respect, inclusion, dignity, and equality for people with disabilities.

Blue Tower Solutions offers many training topics, including “It Starts with Saying Hi!” This interactive class was created in response to the challenges faced with talking with people receiving services about the importance of understanding people of different races, religions, sexualities, and abilities. The class was created with input from people receiving services, self-advocates, and DSPs. This class is designed to be co-taught with a self-advocate and a staff person, virtually or in person. Learn more about this class and other training topics at https://www.bluetowersolutions.org/training-topics.

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Trevor Project

March 12, 2024

The LGBTQ+ Ally Training is designed to create dialogue around being an adult ally for LGBTQ+ youth by informing participants about common terminology, the “coming out” process, and challenges at home, in school, and in the community. Through activities in this course, participants are encouraged to explore their biases, build knowledge, and develop empathy. The Trevor Project also offers training for youth-serving professionals like foster parents, teachers, and social workers.

The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information and support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round. In addition to the Ally Training, their Resource page offers free articles, resources, and guides on sexual orientation, LGBTQ+ mental health, gender identity, community resources, talking about suicide, a coming out handbook, and more.

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SAGECare

March 12, 2024

SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers.

SAGECare is a cultural competency training program for agencies providing services to older adults. SAGECare training helps service providers create more LGBTQ+-welcoming environments. Having SAGECare credentials helps LGBTQ+ people find trained providers. Options for foundational and leadership courses are available.

SAGECare provides training for all levels of employees, administrators, and executives. They offer personalized consulting on virtually anything related to LGBTQ+ aging. Schedule a free discovery chat, learn more about credentialing, get a free quote, sign up for their free monthly e-newsletter with care-focused tips and resources, or sign up for their free live webinar series, ReDefining Care. See the Contact link above for details.

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Howard Brown Health Center

March 12, 2024

Howard Brown Health is one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) organizations. From pediatrics to geriatrics, Howard Brown provides expert care to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies regardless of their ability to pay.

The agency serves more than 40,000 adults and youth in its diverse health and social service delivery system focused on seven major programmatic divisions: primary medical care, behavioral health, research, HIV/STI prevention, youth services, elder services, and community initiatives. Comprehensive resources and services are available through Howard Brown.