Self-advocacy support, information, and legal help for people with disabilities so they can understand their rights and get help from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) or a Center for Independent Living (CIL). CAP is a free program for vocational rehabilitation services only, not for DRS home services.

Provides information to help children & families figure out next steps, when problems arise. Complaints and concerns are handled by an advocate or passed on to a better resource. Toll-Free Help Line during normal business hours to answer questions on: - welfare issues - problems - concerns A Youth Hotline for the youth served by the department to handle: - complaints - concerns - inquiries - suggestions The Advocacy Office Does Not: - investigate actions that do not involve DCFS or its contracted agencies - investigate the acts or decisions of courts, judges or their staff - investigate the Office of the Public Guardian or Attorney General - accept or investigate reports of child abuse or neglect The DCFS Director can grant waivers to policy requirements by caseworker recommendation. For example, requests to expand the capacity of a foster home, to care for children than the policy allows.

The Center is dedicated to serving the best interests of sexually/ physically abused and neglected children by providing: 1) A safe and comfortable environment for the child and family to feel at ease while talking about the abuse during the investigation process. 2) Linkage and coordination between police investigators, child welfare workers, prosecutors, and treatment providers so that the number of victim interviews can be reduced. 3) An interdisciplinary review process for decision-making, problem-solving, information sharing and case monitoring. 4) A comprehensive tracking system shared by all appropriate agencies for those children who have been sexually/ physically abused. 5) Specialized training for professionals involved with victims and families in child sexual/ physical abuse cases. 6) Education and prevention in dealing with issues of sexual/ physical/ abuse. 7) Provides medical evaluations performed by physicians specially trained in the detection and treatment of child physical/ sexual abuse.

Created so that eligible children and adults who have a disability could obtain legal advice and representation to protect and enforce their rights guaranteed by Illinois' mental health laws. Attorneys provide needed assistance to persons with disabilities in a variety of settings: - Mental health facilities. - Residential programs. - Community placements. - Nursing homes. Issues addressed include, but are not limited to: admission and discharge from hospitalization, adequate treatment, refusal of unwanted services, and confidentiality of mental health records. Assistance takes the form of information, referral, and legal representation in court hearings and administrative proceedings.

Created so that eligible children and adults who have a disability could obtain legal advice and representation to protect and enforce their rights guaranteed by Illinois' mental health laws. Attorneys provide needed assistance to persons with disabilities in a variety of settings: - Mental health facilities. - Residential programs. - Community placements. - Nursing homes. Issues addressed include, but are not limited to: admission and discharge from hospitalization, adequate treatment, refusal of unwanted services, and confidentiality of mental health records. Assistance takes the form of information, referral, and legal representation in court hearings and administrative proceedings.

Provides a variety of domestic violence services, including: - 24/7 domestic violence hotline. - Domestic violence shelters for individuals and families. - Legal advocacy for domestic violence. - Assistance with obtaining and filing orders of protection. - Domestic violence counseling services. - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).

Provides free legal services and self-advocacy assistance to people with disabilities in the areas of discrimination, assistive technology, self-determination, special education, guardianship defense, abuse and neglect, and community integration, and voting rights. Self-advocacy training to people with disabilities and family members is also provided on topics including: - The Americans with Disabilities Act. - Employment. - Transportation. - Voting. - Ticket to Work. - Special education. - Guardianship.

Acts as agents of change within systems with an emphasis on development of self-advocacy skills. The agency also provides advocacy for parents with children who have disabilities to help them through their child's school education.

Provides programs to families involved in the child welfare system or in crisis that need encouragement while they change their lives. Services include: - Advocacy. - Mentoring. - Mediation. - Alternative Counseling: For individuals and families. - Workshops. - Outreach. - 3rd Party Visits: Coordination and supervision of visits with clients whose children are in placement or involved in a custody battle. - "The Family Table": Group sessions on various topics. - Anger Management: Group for teens and adults. - Financial Literacy Training. - Life Skills Training. - Parenting. - 0-3 Program for families with children in this age group

- Individual advocacy focuses on the individual with a disability and services available within the community to assist them in living independently and to eventually become their own advocate. - Systemic advocacy involves working together to eliminate barriers and allow people with disabilities to fully participate in their community.

The Perry-Jackson Child Advocacy Center coordinates the multi-disciplinary response to child sexual and/or serious physical abuse in a child friendly location. Services include: - Linkage to mental health resources. - Coordination with the Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) regarding the investigation and services provided. - Accompaniment to court hearings/trials, specialized medical appointments, or attendance in victim's place. - Linkage to any community resources available. - Court preparation for victim. - Child friendly facility and trained professional to conduct forensic interviews. - Help with Crime Victims Compensation forms. - Registration with Automated Victim Notification System.

Provides aid to those veterans and their families that reside in the county that may qualify for and need assistance. Provides services to veterans and his/her family that may not be available from other agencies. Provides assistance in filing claims to the Veterans Administration for such benefits as: - Service Connected Compensation. - VA Home Loans. - VA Healthcare Benefits. - Educational Benefits. - Widows/Survivors Benefits. - GI Insurance Claims. - Non-Service Connected Pension. - Transportation to VA Hospital. - Or any other benefits that the veteran or his/her family may be seeking from the Veterans Administration. Emergency Assistance is available for Rent and Power Bill assistance.

Strives to educate businesses, the public, and legislature about issues important to people with disabilities. Staff aim to empower people with disabilities to assess their needs, identify potential risks, establish their own goals, evaluate available resources, and develop and implement a strategy to take control of their lives.

Medical advocacy is available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week at hospital emergency rooms. Whenever a survivor arrives at the hospital for treatment, the hospital calls the hotline and an advocate is sent out to sit with the survivor. The advocate offers emotional support, provides information on sexual violence, and gives any necessary referrals. Legal advocacy is available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week wherever needed. Advocates can support a survivor at the police department or help a survivor with a case that is currently being prosecuted. The staff advocate is very knowledgeable about court proceedings and Illinois law.

The Children's Advocacy Center of North & Northwest Cook County's Forensic & Advocacy Support Team assists local Law Enforcement and Child Protective Services investigators by conducting Forensic Interviews for children making an outcry of abuse. The goal of a forensic interview is to elicit detailed facts from children in a neutral, child friendly, age-appropriate manner.

Offers the following services for victims of sexual and/or domestic violence: - 24 hour crisis hotlines. - Legal, medical, and social service advocacy. - Long-/short-term counseling. - Trauma-informed therapy. - Transition and basic needs assistance.

Works locally to fulfill the mission of the agency by promoting and supporting research to find a cure, helping people and families affected by the disease, and educating the public and health care professionals. Also has in-person and virtual support groups.

Provides intensive support to high-risk children in foster care to stabilize placements and prevent entry into higher levels of care. Services include: - Brief individual and family counseling for foster and natural families. - Placement stabilization services. - Crisis intervention. - Community linkage. - Foster parent support. - School intervention and tutoring. - Court advocacy. - Mentoring services. - Enrichment activities.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained volunteers appointed by a judge to speak for abused and neglected children via the court. CASAs are committed and dedicated to the intervention and prevention of child abuse. CASAs are committed to a child and their case until the child is placed in a safe and permanent home.

Provides several individualized services in order to deter child abuse. Services provided: - When first contacted, several members of B.A.C.A. will ride to the child's house and present the child with a patch, stickers, and a photograph of the child with their new biker family. Two bikers are assigned to the child as their primary contacts. - If abuse or harassment continues, members will create a presence at the home, being visible at times when the family may be most vulnerable. - Court appearances are also available. Assigned bikers will appear in order to provide support for the child and reduce fear about testifying against their abuser. Other services available: - Providing escorts if the child feels unsafe. - Riding by the child's home on a regular basis. - Staying with children if they are alone or frightened. - On-site support if needed, for the child's reassurance.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) - Illinois/ Iowa/ Wisconsin provides navigational supports for people seeking legal options to protect and enforce their rights.

Self-advocacy support, information, and legal help for people with disabilities so they can understand their rights and get help from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) or a Center for Independent Living (CIL). CAP is a free program for vocational rehabilitation services only, not for DRS home services.

Self-advocacy support, information, and legal help for people with disabilities so they can understand their rights and get help from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) or a Center for Independent Living (CIL). CAP is a free program for vocational rehabilitation services only, not for DRS home services.

Seeks to empower immigrant and refugee communities by informing them of their rights and securing resources that will foster their successful integration into society.

An advocacy and non-profit organization for the education and support of the mentally ill, their families, and friends that is open to anyone with a personal or professional interest in mental illness. NAMI is affiliated with NAMI Illinois and the national organization NAMI. NAMI's focus includes: - Educating consumers, their families, and the public in an effort to eliminate the stigma of mental illness through literature, newsletters, speakers, workshops, and conferences. With proper access to treatment, persons with neurobiological brain disorders can lead productive lives and work towards recovery. - Advocacy in legislation and programs which will improve the lives of the mentally ill. - Supporting research that focuses on the causes of mental illness and ways to improve treatment.