Advocates for teen girls and women in need. Provides assistance for the following: - Domestic violence prevention - Career preparation - Pregnancy prevention - Homelessness assistance - Adult preventative services - Holiday assistance and toy giveaway

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

Teaches community members about their rights in housing and how to exercise them. Also provides training to landlords, property managers, and realtors. Assists in investigating and enforcing fair housing laws when violations are reported. Also advocates for creating more equitable and inclusive communities.

Provides information and comprehensive services for people with disabilities including: - Peer support - Independent living skills training - Employment skills training - Advocacy - Assistive technology/adaptive devices - Benefits counseling /Application assistance - Personal assistant (in-home care) referrals Also offers ongoing support services and transitional services, including: - Community Transition Services that helps people transition from nursing homes to their own homes - Pre-employment Transition 30 week program to prepare youth for the work force - Youth Transition Services for youth to develop independent living skills to prepare for adulthood Free Covid tests provided

Provides virtual mental health services catered to the needs of the Hispanic community. Services include: - Counseling for individuals, couples, and families - Group Therapy - Mental Health Evaluations - Hypnotherapy - Clinical Supervision - Advocacy and Referral Services Also offer training to assist Latino professionals and organizations to acquire professional skills.

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.

Provides advocates who are able to guide survivors through the legal system and help them access available legal remedies. Advocates also access immigration remedies through protective statutes such as the Violence Against Women Act. Agency operates a volunteer attorney led family law clinic in partnership with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS). Services include: - Civil and criminal orders of protection. - Pressing criminal charges. - Obtaining crime victims’ compensation. - Filing for divorce. - Custody. - Support.

Advocates for the implementation of current laws, promotion of needed legislation, and improvement of existing systems for people with disabilities while working to diminish negative attitudes that threaten to impede equal access. Individual advocacy includes: - Assisting people with disabilities in dealing with conflicts. - Helping people find ways to negotiate with the various support systems they use. Systemic advocacy includes making changes on a broad level. Such changes include: - Building strong relationships with local state and federal elected officials. - Working with local authorities to improve the enforcement of ADA and other relevant laws. - Working with the community-at-large to remove both physical and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing and participating in the community.

Provides comprehensive, trauma-focused services to child who have experienced abuse and neglect. Offers a supportive environment for the children and their families, and coordinates the investigation and intervention process to minimize trauma for the child. Advocates serve as a liaison between the child, family, and team of professionals. The advocate attends all court hearings, keeps the family informed regarding the status of the case, assists in ongoing necessary referrals, and assists in court preparation in the event the case proceeds to trial. The team is typically comprised of: - Law enforcement. - DCFS. - Mental health clinician. - Forensic interviewer. - Child and family advocates. - Medical personnel. - Prosecutors. Services include: - Multidisciplinary team coordination (MDT). - Forensic interviews. - Advocacy. - Mental health services.

- Brain injury information and resources available. - Includes advocacy. - Includes support groups. - Call or go online for support group locations and times.

Assists people with learning disabilities in the following ways: - Moniters and advises the Illinois State Board of Education on issues dealing with students with learning disabilities. - Provides advocacy information and support to parents, individuals with learning disabilities and professionals. - Provides scholarships for post-secondary education for students with learning disabilities. - Provides the Robert Abbott Scholarship for students who are in school to become a teacher in the field of Special Education. - Provides and support workshops and mini-conferences for educators and parents. - Increases public awareness of learning disabilities throughout Illinois. - Provides scholarships for membership and workshop fees for parents of children with learning disabilities, and for adults with learning disabilities.

Safe Passage is the domestic violence and sexual assault agency for DeKalb County. Services provided include: - 24/7 crisis hotline. - 25 bed Emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. - Transitional housing for victims of domestic and sexual violence. - Individual, group and family counseling for adults and children experiencing domestic and sexual assault or abuse. - Legal advocacy including help obtaining Orders of Protection and support at court. - Medical advocacy to victims at hospital emergency room. - Prevention and professional education in schools, with police and other first responders and to community groups.

Provides case management and advocacy for families and children seeking mental health services for severe emotional disabilities.

24/7 hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential.

Dedicated to serving the best interests of sexually abused and neglected children. Services include: - A safe and comfortable environment for the child and family to feel at ease in talking about the abuse during the investigation process. - Linkage and coordination between police investigators, child welfare workers, prosecutors, and treatment providers so that the number of victim interviews can be reduced. - An interdisciplinary review process for decision-making, problem-solving, and information sharing. The network will monitor all cases of sexual abuse victims under 18 years of age. - A comprehensive tracking system shared by all appropriate agencies for those children who have been sexually abused. - Specialized training for professionals involved with victims and families in child sexual abuse cases. - Education and prevention in dealing with issues of sexual abuse.

Provides the following services for sexual assault victims and survivors: - Individual, family, and group counseling. - Medical and legal advocacy. - Assistance in obtaining Orders of Protection. - Case management to assist with additional needs, such as food needs, changing locks, and more. - 24 hour sexual assault hotline. - Sexual assault prevention education.

Sexual Assault & Family Emergencies (SAFE) is a sexual assault and rape crisis center. Services include: - 24-hour hotline. - Medical/legal advocacy. - Short and long term individual counseling and group therapy. - Educational programs for schools and the community on awareness, body safety, bullying, dating violence, and internet safety.

Survivors may access legal advocacy such as assistance with orders of protection, understanding court procedures, and other legal services. Medical advocacy is available for participant emergencies or to address their ongoing health concerns.

Serves victims of domestic violence. These services include but are not limited to: - Emergency shelter (provides this service for men and women). - Legal advocacy (including assistance with orders of protection). - Individual and group counseling. - Educational, medical, employment, and social advocacy. - Transportation assistance. - Information and referral services. Comprehensive children services, community education, and professional training on issues pertaining to domestic violence are also provided.

Works with law enforcement, child protective services, and states attorneys to coordinate investigations of child abuse allegations by providing forensic interviews of victims, advocacy, and referrals for counseling, medical exams, and any other services needed.

Advocates for individuals with disabilities and support needs through research, professional development, policy, and information and resources.

Advocates for businesses and civic support for children's issues such as child abuse, education, and more.

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

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

Provides assistance resolving issues Medicare beneficiaries might be having with their doctor such as why a surgery is getting pushed back, not receiving therapies or wheelchair and more.