Champaign County Birth to 5 Council. Family Resources.

Family Resources

The following resources are available from the Champaign County Birth to 5 Council and other local agencies.

General Resources
Family Resources
Early Childhood Programs
Library Services and Programs
Children's Literature
Special Needs Services
Support Groups/Support Services
Playgroups
Web Sites

General Resources

Family Service First Call for Help
First Call for Help, Champaign [405 S. State St., Champaign; 352-6300] Information, referrals, and emergency assistance. Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 5:00.
First Call for Help, Rantoul [520 E. Wabash, Rantoul; 893-1530] Information and referrals for Northern Champaign County. Food Pantry on site.

Family Resources

Car Seats [Safe Kids Coalition Buckle-up Line, Champaign County;353-4932] Provides car seats and booster seats to income-eligible clients. Free inspections and fittings of car seats by appointment.
CRUISING kids at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois [Peoria; 877-277-6543]
CRUISING kids is a state-wide special needs child-passenger safety resource center. It is important that all children ride safely on each and every trip. Children with special needs may be able to ride safely in a conventional car seat; however some require more specialized restraints. CRUISING kids can assist families in choosing the correct car seat; as well as allow them to test seats out before they are purchased. The only cost associated with the program is when a family needs a restraint on a short term loan and then there is a base fee of $15.00 charged.
Child Care [Child Care Resource Service; 905 S. Goodwin, 314 Bevier Hall, Urbana 333-3252] Referrals to a variety of child care options including back-up/drop in child care (Back-up Soluntions) and financial assistance (subsidy) for child care for those who qualify. Web site: ccrs.hcd.uiuc.edu
Crisis Nursery [1309 W. Hill St., Urbana; 337-2730] Free 24 hour a day emergency child care services for families with children, birth to five years old. Web site: www.crisisnursery.net/
Family Enhancement Program [Crisis Nursery, 1309 W. Hill St., Urbana; 337-2730] Free support and education program for parents wanting to take charge of their lives and learn positive parenting skills.
Having your Baby and Family Education Program [Carle Foundation Hospital, 611 W. Park St., Urbana; 383-6962] Prenatal and family education program provides expectant parents with information.

Early Childhood Programs

C-U Early [Washington School, 1102 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana; 384-3541] Provides a variety of support and education programs for parents of children, birth through age 5 including playgroups, workshops, a telephone helpline and toy and book lending libraries. Child care is available during programs.
Champaign County Head Start and Early Head Start [Administrative offices: 1776 E. Washington St., Urbana; 328-3313] Head Start/Early Head Start is a federal program that provides comprehensive, developmental services for children birth to 5 years old who reside in Champaign County, including children with special needs and expectant mothers.
Get Ready Program – Champaign Schools [Champaign Early Childhood Center, 809 N. Neil, Champaign; 351-3881] Free preschool instructional program for Champaign Unit 4 Schools for children at least 3 years. Free screening test on speech, language, hearing, social and motor skills.
Healthy Families Program [Mental Health Center, 1801 Fox Dr., Champaign; 398-8080 x196] Offers support, education and long-term home visiting to first-time families. Families that are expecting their first child or have a newborn under two weeks of age can call for information. At weekly home visits, services offered include developmental screenings, information and activities to encourage healthy development and support of the parent-child relationship as well as linkage to community resources.
Healthy Young Families [Mental Health Center, 1801 Fox Dr., Champaign; 398-8080 x196] Offers support and education, long-term home visiting, support groups, education and counseling for first-time teen parents.
Help Me Grow Helpline [1-800-323-GROW] Provides information on a range of services available to children throughout the state.
Middletown Early Childhood Center [101 N. Division, Mahomet; 586-5833] Provides early-childhood services for the Mahomet-Seymour school district. Web site: www.ms.k12.il.us/
Parent Wonders [201 S. Sheldon, Rantoul; 893-0671] Support and education programs for families living in rural Champaign County, including play groups, parenting classes, home visits, and a lending library.
Parenting in the Real World [Washington School, 1102 N. Broadway, Urbana; 384-3541] Eight-week seminar designed to help parents raise happy, healthy, responsible children. Free child care available.
Prevention Initiative [Mental Health Center, 1801 Fox Dr., Champaign; 398-8080 x196] Play and learn groups and support groups for both Spanish and English speaking families. Initiative also includes home visits to families needing support and assistance.
Spectrum Early Childhood Program [201 S. Sheldon, Rantoul; 893-0306] Special education program serving rural Champaign County academically at-risk preschoolers.
University of Illinois Extension [801 Country Fair Dr., Suite D, Champaign; 333-7672] Provides educational programs and resources to parents in Champaign County through parenting seminars, brochures, fact sheets, newsletters, e-mail, and the Champaign County website at web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/.
Washington School Early Childhood Program [1102 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana; 384-3616] Provides developmental screening and diagnostic evaluation of Urbana children ages 3 to 5. Also offers classroom programs for children identified as needing special educational intervention.

Library Services and Programs

Local libraries circulate books, magazines, videos, DVD's, compact disks, books on tape, large print books, CD-ROMs and other materials. Many provide programs for children 6 months and older.

Champaign Public Library [Main Library, 505 S. Randolph, Champaign; 403-2030—children’s services, 403-2071, 403-2087 (Voice); 403-2055 (TTY)] Many free events and activities for children of all ages including storytellers, music, puppet shows, and much more. See web site www.champaign.org for current calendar of events or call children’s services at 403-2030
Douglass Branch Library [504 E. Grove, Champaign; 403-2090] Many free educational events and programs for children of all ages including preschool story times and cooking classes for kids. See web site www.champaign.org/about_us/douglass_branch_library.html for current calendar of events or call 403-2090.
Homer Community Library 896-2121
Mahomet Township Public Library District 586-2611
Ogden Rose Library 582-2411
Parkland College Library 351-2223
Philo Public Library [684-2896]
Rantoul Public Library [893-3955]
St. Joseph Township Library [469-2159]
Sidney Community Library [688-2332]
Tolono Public Library [485-5558]
University of Illinois Library [333-2290 (Voice), 244-8635 (TTY)]
Urbana Free Library [210 W. Green St; 367-4069 (youth dept.), 367-4057 (Voice & TTY)] Events and activities for children of all ages are listed on their web site urbanafreelibrary.org

Children's Literature

Celebrate Diversity: Multicultural Picture Books (PDF), April 2006
Some Example of Books about Children with Disabilities (PDF), Spring 2006

Special Needs Services

CASE (Central Affiliation for Special Education) Audiology [809 N. Neil St., Champaign; 355-1214] Provides free hearing evaluations for children birth through graduation from High School in all school districts in Champaign County.
Carle ECHO Program (Expanding Childrens' Hearing Opportunities) [Carle Foundation Hospital, NCW4, 602 W. University Avenue, Urbana, 383-4375] A family-centered program with team members who provide evaluations, treatment options, parent education and therapy for children with hearing loss from birth to age 21. The ECHO team provides close follow-up and supports all communication modes.
Carle Therapy Services [810 W. Anthony Dr. Urbana 383-3400] Provides PT, OT, SLP and Developmental Therapy services for children.
Champaign Community Schools, Special Education [703 S. New St., Champaign; 351-3841] Offers programs for children who are physically, hearing, or visually impaired; developmentally disabled; emotionally disturbed.
Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation [1311 W. Church St., Champaign; 398-2374] Recreation programs for those with special needs.
Child and Family Connections [309 N. Logan, Danville , IL 61832; 1-800-877-1152] Provides early intervention services for children with special needs, birth to age three. Serves Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, McLean and Vermilion Counties.
Developmental Services Center (DSC) Children’s Services [1304 W. Bradley, Champaign; 359-0287] DSC provides services and supports for children and adults with developmental disabilites. DSC’s Children's Services Department is an Early Intervention Program serving children and families in east central Illinois. This comprehensive program provides therapy and support services for infants and young children who have developmental delays. Additionally, consultation is provided to parents, schools, daycares, and child welfare agencies. Web site: www.dsc-illinois.org
Hearing Education Program [The Christie Foundation, 101 W. University Ave., Champaign; 366-9669 Voice or 366-1387 TTY] Provides hearing screenings for infants at Provena Covenant Medical Center, as well as speech-language-auditory therapy for hearing-impaired children in a home-based, parent-infant program. Sign language may be used to increase communication if the parent chooses. Program also provides a resource library and speakers bureau. TTY number for deaf/hard of hearing: 366-1387.
Illinois Autism/PDD and Technical Assistance Project Jaquie Mace, Bloomington, Il 309-661-9440, j.mace@autismmclean.org
Focused on educating students with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). The group hosts programs/workshops for families on topics related to Autism and PDD. Call for meeting schedule and location.
PACE, Inc. (Persons Assuming Control of Their Environment) [1317 E. Florida Ave, Sunnycrest Mall, Urbana; 344-5433] PACE serves people who have disabilities or disability-related concerns.
Rural Champaign County Special Education Cooperative [201 S. Sheldon St., Rantoul; 892-8877] Special education cooperative serves all rural Champaign County school districts.
Speech-Language and Audiology Clinic [University of Illinois, 901 S. Sixth St., Champaign; 333-2230] Speech, language and hearing diagnostic and therapy services.
UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children [University of Illinois, 510 Devonshire Dr. Suite A, Champaign; 333-6528] Provides financial assistance and case management for children up to age 21, with certain chronic health conditions that will respond to treatment.
Urbana Schools Special Services [205 N. Race St., Urbana; 384-3655] Serve children age 5 to 21 with special needs who live in Urbana.

Support Groups/ Support Services

Autism Society of Illinois: C-U Autism Network for Parents and Professionals
Web site:http://cuautismnetwork.org
Listserve: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/cuan-listserve/
Provides support and education for parents of children with autism as well as involved professionals. Meets on the first Thursday of the month with a speaker and networking groups from 7:00-8:30 p.m., at Christopher Hall, 904 W. Nevada, Urbana. Child care, a sibling support group, an Asperger social group for 10-14 year olds and swimming for kids with ASD are provided. For more information, go to the website or contact Linda Tortorelli, Coordinator, at 217-244-1395 or ltortore@uiuc.edu or Sheila Krein, Assistant Coordinator, at autismnetwork@insightbb.com.
Champaign County Birth to 5 Council of Families and Agencies
A local interagency council that works to identify young children with special needs and ensure that they and their families receive a coordinated, comprehensive, family-centered system of support in Champaign County. The council encourages parent participation and has funding to help defray costs of transportation and child care to enable parents to attend meetings. Meets 3rd Thursday of the month 8:45-9:45 at Mental Health Center of Champaign County, 1801 Fox Drive, Champaign Room 151.
Contact Hollie Ronk (LIC Coordinator) at hronk@ccrpc.org
Council Web site: http://ccbirthto5.org
Down Syndrome Network Serves families with children with Down Syndrome in Champaign County. The DSN offers support to families mainly by being a source of current information for parents, professionals and the general public. The DSN meets monthly, has a parent library and a free newsletter.
Contact the DSN by e-mail at champaigndsn@yahoo.com, in person at 2708 Willowpark Dr., Champaign, IL 61821, or visit the Web site at www.champaigndsn.com.
Self-Help Center-Family Service [405 S. State St., Champaign; 352-0099] Provides information and referral to self-help and support groups. Listings of a wide variety of groups can be found on Web site: selfhelp.prairienet.org. Also provides a consultation services to assist individuals wanting to start new groups or improve the functioning of existing groups.
LaLeche League [355-3738] Provides support, education, information and encouragement to breast-feeding mothers.
Infant Replay - Mother of Twins and More Support Group For mothers of multiples and expectant mothers of multiples (twins, triplets, or more). By sharing joys and concerns of raising twins, members enhance parenting skills, provide encouragement, and enjoy their "double blessings." Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7:00 p.m., at Grace United Methodist Church, 2004 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. Library has information on multiples & raising children. Offers family outings and "Mom" events once a month. Annual membership is $25/yr. Newletter and group literature avialable. National Website: www.nomotc.org
Parent-to-Parent Resource Network [359-0287] Provides an informal support network for parents of young children with special needs. Links parents who have an infant or toddler that was premature, is delayed or has a disability. Meetings are individually arranged between parents. Group literature available.
Website: www.dsc-illinois.org. Write:Developmental Services Center, 1304 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign, IL 61821
Padre a Padre [384-3541] A parent support group for Spanish-speaking parents with children birth to 5 years of age. Meets on the second Thursday of the month, 6:30-8:00 p.m., at Washington School, 1102 N. Broadway, Urbana. Must call and register before coming. Meetings are conducted entirely in Spanish. Childcare provided. Write: C-U Early, 1102 N. Broadway, Urbana, IL 61801
Parents of Children with Diabetes [469-2757] Offers phone support to parents of children with diabetes. No formal group meetings at this time.
Parents Support Group (Developmental Services Center) [359-0287]
PROUDD [630-978-1615] Parents (Peoples) Resource Organization for the Understanding of Disabilities and Developmental delays (PROUDD) is a nonprofit organization developed to provide support, resources, education, networking and advocacy to anyone living or working with children with a disability or developmental delay primarily in the Champaign-Urbana community and surrounding areas. PROUDD, 560 Waterbury Drive, Aurora, IL 60504. Web: www.proudd.com
RAPVI-Rantoul Area Parents of the Visually Impaired [892-8877] Provides phone support and a lending library for parents of visually impaired children.
Contact: Nicole Peck, 892-8877
Write: Rural County Special Ed Coop., 201 S. Sheldon, Rantoul, IL 61866
R.O.C.K.-Raising Our Children's Kids An informational support group for grandparents and relative caregivers raising grandchildren. Members share experiences, receive support and identify resource information and educational materials. Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Stevick Senior Center, 48 Main St., Champaign. Childcare is available.

Playgroups

Come Play With Me Call 398-2550. For ages newborn-5 years. Wednesday 9:30-11:00 am. $25.00 per family. A program of the Champaign Park District.
CU Early Mom’s Club An informal group for parents and toddlers. $25.00 per semester/family (sliding fee scale). Registration required: Call 384-3541. 1102 N. Broadway, Urbana. Cosponsored by Crisis Nursery
Good Beginnings Playgroup Call 384-1128 to register. For ages newborn – 5 years and parent. Friday 9:30-11:30 am. $30.00 per 6-week session. Meets at the Cooperative Nursery School at 602 W. Green, Urbana.
Parent/Child Playgroup Contact Karen Owens at 356-7712 for more information. Meets twice a month on Wednesdays at the Illinois Disciples Foundation at the corner of Springfield and Wright. The playgroup is a sub-group of the UI Women’s Club at the University of Illinois. For ages newborn-4 years and parent. $10.00 per semester.
Mothers And More For ages newborn-5 years and parent. There is an after school playgroup also. Leave a voice mail message at: 353-5036. All members pay annual dues and cover expenses of activities. Activities include meetings, guest speakers, play groups and “mom’s night out”. Visit the web site at: www.prairienet.org/mothersandmorechampaign
Parent Wonders For ages newborn–5 years. Free of charge. Contact Debbie at 893-0671. Groups in Fisher, Tolono, Rantoul, and St. Joseph.
Park Districts, Libraries and YMCA’s are also good sources for current programs for parents and children: Urbana Free Library 367-4069. Champaign Library 356-3980. Urbana Park District 367-1544. Champaign Park District 398-2550. McKinley Family YMCA 356-2597

Web Sites

American Academy of Pediatrics [www.aap.org] Health and wellness information for families including information on developmental stages, immunizations, and parenting.
Ask Dr. Sears [www.askdrsears.com] Advice on all aspects of caring for infants and children.
Family Village [www.familyvillage.wisc.edu] Information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with cognitive and other disabilities, for their families, and for those that provide them services and support. Includes informational resources on specific diagnoses, communication connections, adaptive products and technology, adaptive recreational activities, education, health issues, and disability-related media and literature.
HelpSource [www.helpsource.org] Human services information and referral resources for East Central Illinois, including many Champaign County resources. Site contains a variety of printable versions of specialized resource directories available for download in Adobe PDF format.
National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) [www.rarediseases.org] Web site contains a database of more than 1,100 rare diseases, an A-to-Z index of rare diseases, and information on research, programs and services, support groups and other sources of help.
Parenting 24/7 [parenting247.org] Parenting 24/7 is a “one-stop” online source of news, information, and advice on parenting and family life designed for parents and grandparents of children ages newborn to teens. Features include articles with research-based information, video clips of parents and experts discussing timely age-based topics, breaking news and commentary, newsletters, and recommendations to the best parenting resources on the web.
Zero to Three [www.zerotothree.org] Information on early child development for parents and professionals.