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.

Receives, investigates, and enforces fair housing laws when discrimination is reported. Also educates members of the public about their rights in housing and how to exercise them. Provides training to landlords, property managers, and realtors. Also advocates for creating more equitable and inclusive communities.

Advocates for teen girls and women in need. Provides assistance for the following: - Domestic and teen dating violence prevention - Teen pregnancy prevention - Career preparation for adults ("Cut the Check") - Holiday assistance and toy giveaway

Crisis Center of South Suburbia court advocates inform victims of domestic or dating violence of their rights under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, serve as a liaison in the judicial system, prepare orders of protection, and provide follow-up services to review safety plans and court cases. Informational materials about other legal remedies and victim resources such as Crime Victims' Compensation, Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act, Safe Homes Act and Automated Victim Notification are also provided.

NAMI Smarts for Advocacy, NAMI Chicago's free advocacy training workshop will teach you how to turn your lived experience into a powerful 90-second speech geared to move policymakers. Sign up for the 60-minute interactive workshop where you will learn how to think about your own experiences in a new way and have an opportunity to draft and practice your story.

Provides resources and information about Mesothelioma and Asbestos exposure for the general public. Services include: - Patient advocate team - Treatment guide - Doctor match programs - Legal service referrals - Support groups For Veterans Information, please check www.mesotheliomaveterans.org

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.

Transforming Re-Entry Services (TRS) has convened the Harm Reduction in Prison Coalition (HRPC), comprised of community and faith-based individuals involved with criminal justice and concerned citizens who ensure the fair and equitable treatment of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. HRPC has supported, advocated, and cosponsored legislative action for individuals behind and outside the walls.

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.

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.

Provides counseling services for students who are survivors of campus sexual assault. This is both for undergraduate and graduate students. Besides counseling, it also provides advocacy and other services.

Provides a voice for the missing and unidentified who can no longer speak for themselves.

Assists people with disabilities in learning their rights to become their own advocates and make their own decisions.

World Relief provides refugee resettlement and immigration and citizenship services including: - Refugee employment services. - English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. - Housing, Mediation, and Counseling. - Assistance with green cards, citizenship, counseling, legal services. - On-site therapy, counseling, group-based programming, and individual/family case management to improve lives of immigrants who have experienced severe loss and trauma. Also currently serving refugees from Ukraine.

Offers counseling and community for soldiers who need help reintegrating into civilian society. Provides: -Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). -Veterans health benefits. -Female veteran health care. -Employment education benefits. - Sponsors an online social network exclusively for these veterans.

Provides information online regarding services for the blind. Also advocates for people who are blind or visually impaired. Information and Resources: Connects individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and their families, caregivers, and friends, to information, resources, local services, and community. Information and resources are provided in the following areas: - FamilyConnect: Provides information and resources for parents and guardians of children who are blind or visually impaired. - VisionAware: Provides information and resources for adults new to vision loss. - Technology: Provides information on technology and resources for individuals with vision loss. Advocacy: - Access to equal educational opportunities for students who are blind and visually impaired. - Access to employment opportunities and resources for workers who are blind and visually impaired. - Older adults who are blind of visually impaired.

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).

Supports autistic people through several available programs. Provides caregivers and support, as well as training for caregivers.

Develops and provides support to affiliates and partners, coordinates statewide advocacy and awareness, directly educates stakeholders, and coordinates strategic initiatives to advance mental health equity, access, and parity.

Serves the cultural, psychological, and socio-economic needs of Ethiopians in Chicago and the surrounding areas. Also supports other African, Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European refugee populations who seek assistance services. Services include: - Refugee Reception and Placement. - Preferred Communities Program. - Illinois Welcoming Center Program. - Illinois Access to Justice (A2J) Program. - Southern Border Arrivals Program. - IFSP Cash Assistance Program. - Employment Training & Services. - Matching Grant Program. - Electromechanical Assembly Training Program. - English as a Second Language (ESL). - Citizenship and Immigration Services. - Ethiopian Cultural Museum and Education. - Children and Youth Services. - Open Computer Lab.

Provide services for survivors of domestic violence. Services Include: - Reviewing Police Reports. - Assisting with completing Orders of Protection. - Domestic Violence Education.

Provides survivors and their dependent children, who are fleeing abusive relationships, temporary shelter.

Confidential, around-the-clock legal and medical advocacy is available for suriviors and their families. Offers medical and legal advocacy. Medical Advocacy: Clove Alliance advocates are always available to support survivors, their families, and friends during a visit to the emergency room for a medical examination or evidence collection. Advocates can also accompany clients to any follow-up medical appointments, help them receive reimbursement for medical costs associated with the crime, and answer questions about the following: - Medical exams. - Evidence collection (rape kit). - Sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs). - Pregnancy and emergency contraception. - Medications. - Follow-up medical care. - Crime Victims Compensation through the Illinois Attorney General's Office. - Referrals. - Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). Legal Advocacy: Clove Alliance staff advocates walk with survivors through the police and courtroom procedures, maintain an awareness of the status of each case, monitor the case throughout its legal proceedings, go to court with survivors (or for those who cannot attend), and keep survivors current on changes to their case. Legal advocates are available to answer questions about: - Reporting to law enforcement. - Crime victim's rights. - Statute of limitations. - Criminal justice proceedings. - Court process. - Sex offender registration. - Civil No Contact Orders. - Orders of Protection. - Automated victim notification (AVN) 1-866-566-8439. - Crime Victims Compensation through the Illinois Attorney General's Office. - Victim impact statements. - Victim Services Unit of the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Provides advocacy efforts to enhance communities and benefit children in school.