Resources for Supporting Young Children with Disabilities
STAR NET Region II and VI Resource List
Our Resource List is organized into categories and cross-categorized to serve both families and professionals.
Categories include:
Strong Families is a YWCA Metropolitan Chicago service for families of children prenatal to 17 years of age. Strong Families empowers parents in their natural and learned abilities to be loving and protective parents while promoting healthy child development, supporting and enhancing their journey to self-sufficiency, self-realization and self-fulfillment through home visiting and peer group learning services, as well as developmental opportunities for parents.
Peter Wright, Esq. special education attorney provides easy to understand information on the federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004, (IDEA ) which governs both early intervention and special education services. Wright’s law is a great resource for parents and professionals who want to better understand the law behind special education services and what it means for their child. Wright’s law also offers a free e-newsletter. Also in Spanish
The When I’m 3 Transition Guide is a product of the Illinois Birth-5 Transition Guidance Committee in collaboration with Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). This guide is also provided to parents/guardians by the Child and Family Connections service coordinators, when their child is transitioning from early intervention to early childhood education. The guide is designed to assist families through the transition process with information on the transition steps and suggestions for preparing and participating in the process.
The guide is available online at the ISBE website in English, Spanish, Arabic and Polish. Printed copies can be obtained from the Illinois Child Find Project
This fathers network connects fathers of children, of all ages, who have special needs with each other and with resources, information, and training to tell their stories and advocate for change to promote inclusion. Monthly webinars.
Started in the Chicago area over 35 years ago, the organization prides itself on being run and organized entirely by volunteers – mostly parents and family members. Reaching far beyond the metro Chicago area, UPS for DownS provides trainings, education, information and community opportunities in order to create communities that are diverse, welcoming and inclusive.
Understood is a nonprofit organization that provides free, expert-vetted resources and support to those who learn and think differently so that they can thrive in school, at work, and throughout life.
United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago is a charitable not-for-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities in metropolitan Chicago and beyond. UCP Seguin provides information on learning, technology, services and support for people of all ages with disabilities and their families.
The goal for early learning is to improve the health, social-emotional, and cognitive outcomes for all children from birth through 3rd grade, so that all children, particularly those with high needs, are on track for graduating from high school college- and career-ready. The Early Learning Newsletter provides regular ED early learning updates.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) website provides information and resources on this transition from early intervention services to early childhood education. ISBE transition information is found on their website under Indicator 12-Early Childhood Transition. Resources for families and professionals can be found on this page. All children who have been receiving services through Early Intervention and referred to an Local Education Agency (school district) for Early Childhood Special Education must have eligibility for services determined by their third birthday, and if found eligible, have an Individualized Education Program developed to provide special education services by their third birthday.
Offers extensive information for individuals, families and professionals. Also in Spanish.
Looking for Pre-Recorded Videos?
STAR NET Region II and VI recorded webinar library.
Both Parents and Professionals will find videos on useful topics, such as Inclusion, Transitioning from EI to ECSE and more!
PLEASE NOTE: STAR NET Region II and VI is unable to award CEs for watching these recordings.