For Parents Overview

Raising a juvenile can be challenging. Support is available. Below are some organizations who provide emotional support, education, and/or information though various other options are available in DuPage County. 

Informal support can be offered by extended family, friends, churches, and other community-based groups.  It is normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed when in a caregiver role. It is important for caregivers to care for themselves. Asking for help is often an important step. Support is available. You do not have to do it alone.   

Boys Town National Helpline (800-448-3000) 

Crisis hotline available 24/7. Trained counselors offers guidance and expertise to help you understand your child's behavioral issues and offer you ways to address them. Counselors are available to talk when you are feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or out of options. 

https://www.boystown.org/hotline/Pages/hotline-for-parents.aspx

Parent guides are also available and contain a range ​of useful ​materials, including tips, articles, Q&As and videos. Guides are targeted for developmental stages (toddler, grade school, tween, teen).

https://www.boystown.org/parenting/guides/Pages/default.aspx

A FREE ​email series is available to help you with parenting challenges related to common topics. Each series consists of weekly ​emails that run 4-6 weeks, discuss a specific parenting issue, include a teaching activity and​ a ​relevant ​social skill.

https://www.boystown.org/parenting/track/Pages/default.aspx

Charts and contracts can be an effective way to maintain family harmony and monitor family responsibilities. These parenting tools help ensure consequences and rewards are contingent on specific behaviors or social skills you want to ​see ​from your kids.

https://www.boystown.org/parenting/Pages/parenting-tools.aspx

National Parent Helpline (855-427-2736) 

Offers emotional support from a trained advocate 8am - 5pm CST.    

http://www.nationalparenthelpline.org/     

Metropolitan Family Services

Adoption Support and Preservation Services (630-784-4800) (630-391-5103)

 The Adoption Support and Preservation Program provides home-based intervention to families formed through adoption or subsidized guardianship. Counseling, crisis intervention and 24-hour on-call assistance help address adjustment, grief/loss resolution, attachment, educational and emotional issues. This DCFS-supported program also provides therapeutic respite services, psycho-educational and support groups, workshops, and help securing resources. 

DuPage Center

222 E. Willow Avenue Wheaton, IL

1999 75th Street Woodridge, IL 

https://www.metrofamily.org/program-spotlight-adoption-support-and-preservation-respite-program/

Metropolitan Family Services

Early Learning and Head Start Program  (630-784-4801) 

Offers affordable & accredited educational programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Monday thru Friday, we provide a nurturing and diverse classroom environment for children to learn and play.  Metropolitan Family Services requires that families must be within the federal poverty income guidelines and the parents are employed or attending school. Children of all abilities, disabilities are welcome. 

Multiple locations in DuPage County

https://www.metrofamily.org/programs-and-services/education/early-learning-head-start/

Metropolitan Family Services

Parenting Fundamentals (773-371-3735)

 Gives parents tools to help their children live fulfilling, productive lives. This evidence-based course with comprehensive support empowers parents to prevent child abuse, improve school performance, and strengthen their families. 

https://www.metrofamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/MetropolitanFamilyServices_MFS_PARENTING_FUNDAMENTALS_FACT_SHEET_ENG.pdf

DCFS

Relatives Raising Children/Extended Family Support

 The State of Illinois honors caregivers who have "stepped up to the plate" to care for a relative’s children, including over 100,000 grandparents caring for their grandchildren on a long-term basis. There are many resources and programs in place to help; however, navigating the system may sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. The Extended Family Support program offers help obtaining guardianship and other entitlement benefits, enrolling youth in school, referrals to other services, and cash assistance to assist with legal matters and basic needs.

https://dcfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dcfs/documents/loving-homes/documents/extended-family-support-program-brochure-english.pdf

Youth Outlook

Thrive: Empowering Parents & Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Teens & Young Adults

Email for Details: thrive@youth-outlook.org

Offers programming for to foster parents, guardians, and full-time caregivers who are actively parenting LGBTQ+ young people. Parents of transgender youth have found this community particularly helpful thanks to the confidential space created for parents to discuss personal topics openly with each other. Group highlights include connection with other parents through shared experiences, support and empowerment from professional as well as other parents, resources, and education. 

Thrive meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month in Naperville.

NAMI DuPage (630-752-0066)

Family Peer Support

Family Partnership Professionals are peer support workers who use their experience in supporting a loved one living with a mental health condition to provide hope, resources and support. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, these NAMI DuPage peer support workers help families enter and stay engaged in their loved ones recovery process. Visit NAMI's website to register:

https://namidupage.org/family/

NAMI Basics OnDemand

 NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, six-session online education program for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth who are living with mental health symptoms.  Trained family members, who have firsthand experience with the rewards and challenges of raising children with mental illnesses, volunteer to teach Basics. 

https://youtu.be/RvsHirIto2E

Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeygPXUTKe7RxknmdqyyrPE8URCu5gvWj6WE2ae8lcmj1RGVQ/viewform

Parent Roundtable
NAMI's Parent Roundtable is for parents and caregivers whose youth may be struggling with their emotional and social well-being. Monthly groups are led by a parent/teen team. Pre-Registration is NOT required. Roundtables occur on the 4th Thursday of the month from 7-8:30pm at 115 N. County Farm Rd in Wheaton. 

 https://namidupage.org/family/