Respite Care Resources for Autism Caregivers

Alden Village North – Respite Program 

7464 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626 
773-338-0200 

The Alden Village Health Facility for Children and Adults can help you by providing respite care when you are going on vacation, need to make time for other obligations, or if you simply need a break. Private pay only.


Almost Home Group

AHK Chicago: 211 East Grand Avenue 6th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60611 (312.229.0170)
AHK Naperville: 7S721 Route 53 Naperville, IL 60540-9528 (630.271.9155)
AHK Peoria: 309-573-0700
To refer a child for care at AHK Naperville or AHK Chicago, please contact: Layenie Anderson, Director of Case Management at LAnderson@almosthomekids.org

Provides transitional, respite and respite transportation care for children who are technology assisted or have complex medical needs. Can provide emergency respite stays for child with medical complexities for families who are faced with unforeseen emergencies. Application to assess qualification required.


Arch National Respite Network

Provides information on respite and guidance on how to select a respite provider or program.


Association House

1116 N. Kedzie Avenue Chicago, IL 60651
Behavioral Health Receptionist: 773-772-8009
773-772-7170 (Spanish speaking)

Offers free bilingual, primary and psychiatric care for participants with mental illness, developmental disabilities or co-occurring disorders. Respite care open to individuals with developmental disabilities, all ages, based on state criteria from DD. Funding becomes available at beginning of fiscal year, July 1st, and is offered until it is depleted. Parents must supply their own respite worker to provide in-home care. Contact Veronica Lopez for respite services: 773-772-8009, extn. 6711


Camp Red Leaf

26710 West Nippersink Rd, Ingleside, IL 60041
847.740.5010
info@nageelamidwest.org

Year-round recreational & educational programs are offered for children & adults with developmental and cognitive disabilities and/or special needs. Provides weekend respite programs available throughout the year. Serving the Chicagoland, Northwest suburban and Southern Wisconsin communities.


The Children's Place Association

700 N Sacramento Blvd #300, Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 826-1230
Gloria Gordon: ggordon@childrens-place.org

Provides Early Intervention (birth - age 3), as well as case management, individual and family therapy and respite services to children with special needs birth - 12 years old and their families. Group therapy and summer programming also available.


Clearbrook Respite Program

1835 West Central Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
847-385-2638 - Tina Yurik

Clearbrook’s Take a Break Volunteer Program is the only program in the state to utilize trained volunteers as respite caregivers. Clearbrook provides support to families that live in northern Cook County, Lake County and DuPage County. Clearbrook also created the Take a Break in the Afternoon Program that provides supervised support to families waiting to be matched with an in-home volunteer along with families who would like their children to participate in a stay and play program staffed by Clearbrook staff and trained volunteers. Clearbrook’s in-home program provides each family with four hours of weekly respite in their homes.


Community Services Options

6845 S. Western Ave Chicago, IL 60636
(773) 471-4740
Voucher Respite Program for in-home respite. Must have a developmental disability and reside in Chicago. Open to families who are not already receiving I/DD funded services (i.e. PUNS)


Community Support Services: Respite vouchers

9021 Ogden Ave. Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 354-4547
Respite@CSSservices.org

Open to those living in the following townships: Berwyn, Cicero, Oak Park, Riverside, River Forest, Lyons Township and Proviso. Provides home-based respite services to assist people with developmental disabilities and their families (3-hour maximum). Respite services are available to any child or adult with a developmental disability and their family, who lives within their service area. 


Community Support Services: Respite groups

CSS Family Support Center: 5416 W. 25th Sr. Cicero, IL
Respite@CSSservices.org
Contact Mario Martinez for more information: 708-354-4547, ex. 142 or mmartinez@cssservices.org

Respite groups: Art exploration group respite available every Friday for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Open to those living in the following townships: Berwyn, Cicero, Oak Park, Riverside, River Forest, Lyons Township and Proviso. 


Countryside Association for People with Disabilities

21154 W. Shirley Rd. Palatine, IL 60074
Contact Brook Lopez: (847) 540-3723

Provides in-home respite care. Serves individuals with developmental disabilities of all ages. Service area includes northern Cook and Lake Counties.


Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana

Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana is dedicated to helping people with disabilities become as independent as possible, while also providing support and resources for family members. Adult services include: behavior support, day programming, CILA/Residential support, employment services (training and job placement), recreation and respite care.


El Valor

Main Office: (312) 666-4511
Email: info@elvalor.net
Cicero: 2434 S Kildare Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Pilsen: 1951 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608
South Chicago: 3050 E 92nd St, Chicago, IL 60617

Respite: Open to developmental disabilities all ages; Services for Spanish-speaking families city-wide and non-Spanish speaking in specific areas on south side; in-home respite to anyone in Chicago City Limits. Parents are able to choose their own respite worker for them to hire. Contact respite coordinator: Claribel 312-997-2022 


Envisions Unlimited

8 South Michigan Ave, Ste 1700 Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 346-6230respiteinfo@envisionunlimited.org

Respite Care for families of individuals with developmental disabilities residing in Adams, Brown, Champaign, Cook, DeWitt, Fulton, Knox, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Mason, McLean, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Pike, Sangamon, Scott, and Tazewell counties. To schedule an in-person appointment to discuss eligibility and complete all necessary paperwork, contact rhw Respite Coordinator at 773.899.6177 or respiteinfo@envisionunlimited.org.


Glenkirk

3504 Commercial Ave. Northbrook, IL 60062
847-272-5111 x613

Program combines home-based services and the supported living services. Services include: HBS Services Facilitator, personal support workers, day services, respite care, skilled nursing, behavioral services, counseling, speech, physical and occupational therapies, transportation, adaptive equipment and accessibility modifications. Eligibility: DD diagnosis; all ages


Good Shepherd Center for Exceptional Children

17314 Kedzie Ave. Hazel Crest, IL 60429
(708) 335-0020 x3722

Through this program, our agency provides short-term, intermittent care for persons with a diagnosis of Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, or Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities in their natural, guardian or foster family home. Our staff is sent into the family home to provide care for the individual with special needs, as well as any siblings under the age of 18.  This program is funded through the Department of Human Services with no charge to qualified individuals and their families; cannot be receiving PUNS or any other funding. The guidelines for participation in the program include the following: resident of South Suburban Cook County, Northern Will and the Mt. Greenwood/Beverly neighborhoods in Chicago.


Howard Intervention Center, Inc. 

21141 Governors Highway, 3rd floor. Matteson IL 60443
(708) 794-6509
management@howardinterventioncenter.org 

Provides all day center-based services for preschool aged children 2-6 years and after school center-based therapy for ages 7-21. Occasional social groups offered, along with monthly respite night for parents. Registration required. 


Illinois Department of Human Services: The Living Room Program

Varied locations throughout Illinois

The Living Room Program (LRP) is for individuals in need of a crisis respite program with services and supports designed to proactively divert crises and break the cycle of psychiatric hospitalization. The LRP provides a safe, inviting, home-like atmosphere where individuals can calmly process the crisis event, as well as learn and apply wellness strategies which may prevent future crisis events. The LRP is staffed by Recovery Support Specialists. Individuals seeking services at LRP's are screened for safety by Qualified Mental Health Professionals upon entry and exit. Individuals experiencing psychiatric crises may self-refer, or may be referred by police, fire, emergency departments or other organizations with which an individual experiencing such a crisis may come into contact.


Illinois Respite Coalition 

(630) 207-8479
ilrespitecoalition@gmail.com

In every community across the state of Illinois, family members are becoming caregivers for their loved ones, the Illinois Respite Coalition is here to help. The IRC is dedicated to increasing public awareness on the importance of Lifespan Respite. We provide additional support to caregivers across Illinois through referrals to respite providers in their area, trainings for caregivers, and a variety of other resources. IRC also offers the Emergency Respite Program (ERC); contact at (866) 455.7377 ext. 101 or irc.statecoordinator@gmail.com.


Jill’s House Windy City

Open to all Chicagoland families
224.801.4070 

Jill’s House is a non-profit organization that offers respite to families of children with intellectual disabilities through a weekend adventure program. At Weekend Adventures children (ages 6-17) get to experience an all inclusive camp weekend uniquely tailored to their needs. At the same time, their parents get a weekend to have some much needed rest and relaxation. During the camp weekend our campers are surrounded by onsite medical staff, client care specialists, and one-on-one buddies. Camps happen throughout the year in Lake Geneva, WI and transportation is provided from Libertyville, IL. 


JCFS Chicago’s Sunday Respite Program 

855.275.5237
ask@jcfs.org

JCFS’ respite program takes a supportive and nurturing approach, which enhances a child’s growth and development, while providing parents short-term relief. Current programming includes monthly sessions at JCFS’s west Rogers Park Location. For more information, contact: Roberta Pieta, LCSW, (773) 765-3155


Kemit Academy

(773) 966-5039
5100 South Dorchester Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60615
Kemit Academy offers specialized day care for infants and children up to age six with developmental disabilities. 


Little City - Respite Program

Virginia Lisy
847-652-2241
vlisy@littlecity.org

Respite workers provide one-to-one care for the client right in their own home. Respite is open to people who are 5 years old and up who lives in Lake, Northern Cook and McHenry counties with an intellectual or developmental disability; individual must be medically stable and not demonstrate significant harm to self or others. Provides relief to family members who care for individuals or when emergencies occur that take care-givers away from the home for short periods. Workers are skilled at promoting daily living skills, offering recreational activities and encouraging appropriate social skills. The amount of hours a family can use Respite services per month can vary. In Home Respite Services are free to the family because of the state grants; cannot be receiving PUNS funding. The family needs to find a worker for their child and Little City will screen and train the worker under the state guidelines. The worker will be a Little City employee.


Little Friends Center for Autism - Respite Program

Held at Krejci Academy: 619 E. Franklin, Naperville, IL 60540
630-204-0224
bpundy@lilfriends.com

Little Friends’ newly added Respite Program offers caregivers time for rest and relief from challenges associated with raising a child with special needs. The program offers multi-week sessions for children with special needs and their siblings featuring indoor and outdoor activities and socialization opportunities. Currently hosted on Thursday evenings 5:30-7:30 pm, serving ages 3- 17 (split into age groups).


Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

Greer Ann Hamblet, program coordinator
4840 W. Byron St. Chicago, IL 60641
(847) 390-1422 or (630) 664-8876 (emergency)
Serving: Metro Chicago, Will, Kane and McHenry Counties.
greerann.hamblet@lsi.org

Respite services provide caregivers with the peace of mind, knowing that when they have an emergency or need a short break, their loved one is provided with care in a licensed, caring facility. Available to all ages. 


Joshin

1-866-866-0345
hello@joshin.com

Respite resource finder; offers assistance in finding a sitter/caregiver for every age and ability.


North Center for the Handicapped

5104 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 777-4111
northcenter@comcast.net

Provides home-based respite care services for children and adolescents with autism. Fifteen hours per month per individual (360/year, resets each year). Can provide respite workers (may be a wait) or provide training to a respite worker of family's choosing. Serves individuals of all ages with ASD, CP, Seizure Disorder, ID, or Downs Syndrome. Serves North Side of Chicago and North Suburbs providing in-home respite. Family can provide own worker but are not required to.


Our Children’s Homestead

387 Shuman Blvd. Naperville, IL 60563
630-369-0004

Serves individuals with developmental disabilities; offers in-home respite care.


Opportunity House

357 N. California Street, Sycamore, IL 
815-895-5108
info@ohinc.org

Not-for-profit, provides job placement, supported employment, work services, developmental training, special olympics, recreation, residential living, and respite.


Respite Education & Support Tools (REST)

Become a Volunteer Respite Care Worker
St. Alexius Medical Center
1555 Barrington Road Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Lisa Esposito, REST coordinator - (630) 397-5656lesposito@restprogram.org
Jenna Olznoi, IL REST program coordinator - (630) 397-5662: jolznoi@restprogram.org

Become a volunteer respite care worker. REST, respite education and support tools, is a unique, interactive training program, where you will receive the education and tools needed to be confident and successful in providing respite care to adults and children. Lunch and snacks will be provided. The Illinois Department of Human Services has approved the REST volunteer respite worker course for 6.75 CE hours. For more information.


Rockin the Spectrum

Respite Care Services
Elizabeth – 224-538-9736 
rockinthespectrum@yahoo.com
Located in Antioch – They serve, McHenry, DuPage, Cook and Lake Counties

Offering in-home support and care for your loved ones with disabilities, specializing in Autism. Services include: Respite/Care for all ages, Daily Living Skills training/Personal Support Worker, Parents support group and siblings support group. Private pay only.


Sensory Sitters

773-599-1279
Chicago and nearby suburbs 

Provides respite care to families for individuals ages 0-22. Currently private pay; pending voucher approval. 


Trinity Services, Inc. - Respite Care

301 Veterans Parkway  New Lenox, IL 60451
815-485-8146
dknights@trinityservices.org

A request for services can be filled out HERE or via phone or email 

Respite care for any individual over the age of 3 who has a confirmed diagnosis of a developmental disability and does not currently receive any other funding for in-home supports may qualify for in-home respite. The purpose of Trinity’s In-Home Respite Program is to offer intermittent care for an individual with a developmental disability in the comfort of his or her own home, providing relief to the primary caregiver. Respite hours are determined by client needs, funding, worker availability and location. In-home respite care is funded through a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services, so there is no cost to families receiving respite. Each qualified participant is limited to 360 hours of respite care per year.


UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago

3100 S. Central Ave, Cicero, IL 60804
(708) 863-3803
info@seguin.org

Activities included in the In-Home Respite program are designed to improve the independent living skills of individuals served, and to pave the way for future opportunities to live within the community away from their family home.


UPC - Center for Disability Services

311 South Reed Street, Joliet, IL 60436
(815) 744-3500
cdsil@cdsil.org

Provides in-home and overnight respite care if needed for both children and adults. The Respite Care Program allows a primary caregiver occasional respite by providing families with up to 180 hours of in-home care annually for their family member with developmental disabilities. Must be receiving home-based waiver for services.