Youth & Family Support
Raising kids in Chicago takes a village — and the village is bigger than you think. Support for moms, dads, grandparents, teen parents, and every family in between.
Last updated: May 2026Need help right now?
Domestic violence: Illinois DV Hotline — 877-863-6338. Free, 24/7, confidential.
Mental health crisis: Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Free, 24/7.
Need to report or talk about child abuse: DCFS Hotline — 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). 24/7.
Don’t know where to start: Call 211 for help with housing, utilities, food, mental health, healthcare, and more.
Not sure what to do next?
We’ll show you exactly where to go, what to ask, and how to get help fast.
Show Me What To Do →For teen parents (under 20)
Being a young parent is hard. You’re not the first, you won’t be the last, and you don’t have to do it alone. These programs are built specifically for you.
Support program for parents under 20 in Cook County helping with school completion, childcare, SNAP, WIC, medical coverage, and career planning.
Phone: 773-881-2900 · Visit Website
Area: Cook County
- Call and explain your age, school status, and parenting situation.
- Ask for a case manager and what support services are available.
- Ask about childcare, transportation, and school completion support.
- Ask what documents are needed for enrollment.
Home visiting and parenting support program for new and expectant teen parents in Chicago communities with higher family and economic stress.
Visit Program Information · Area: Chicago
- Ask whether home visits are available in your neighborhood.
- Ask about parenting groups, support circles, and family resources.
- Ask whether transportation or virtual support is available.
Support program for teen moms who already have a child, offering home visiting, peer support, and long-term planning guidance.
Visit Program Information · Area: Chicago Area
- Ask if your age and parenting status qualify for services.
- Ask whether support groups or home visits are available.
- Ask about school continuation, childcare, and family planning support.
Diapers, formula & baby supplies
Important: SNAP and WIC don’t pay for diapers. So when money is tight, families end up choosing between food and diapers. These programs exist so you don’t have to.
Free diaper support distributing diapers and baby supplies through partner organizations and community pop-up events across Cook and Will Counties.
Visit Website · Area: Cook County & Will County
- Check the website or social media for partner locations and pop-up events.
- Ask which agencies distribute diapers near your neighborhood.
- Ask whether wipes, formula, or other baby items are available too.
Emergency diaper and baby supply support for families experiencing homelessness, transitional housing, or shelter living.
Visit Website · Area: Chicago Area
- Ask shelters or housing programs if they partner with Kabod House.
- Explain your housing situation so staff understand your needs.
- Ask whether emergency deliveries or referrals are available.
Family support program providing diapers, baby food, formula, counseling, parenting education, and emotional support for mothers and families.
Visit Website · Area: Chicago Area
- Contact the program and explain what baby supplies or support you need.
- Ask about parenting classes, counseling, and support groups.
- Ask whether formula, diapers, wipes, or baby food are available now.
National directory helping families locate nearby diaper banks and emergency baby supply programs across the United States.
Visit Website · Area: Nationwide
- Use the website search to find diaper banks near your ZIP code.
- Check local partner agencies and distribution schedules.
- Use this resource if you move outside Chicago or need help while traveling.
Parenting classes & home visits
Parenting is a skill, not an instinct. Everybody learns. These programs give you tools and someone in your corner.
Chicago family support organization offering parenting classes, doula support, fatherhood programs, home visiting, and help for grandparents raising children.
Visit Website · Area: Chicago Neighborhoods Including Lawndale
- Ask which center is closest to your neighborhood.
- Ask about parenting classes, doula support, or fatherhood programs.
- Ask whether home visits are available for your child’s age.
- Ask about support for grandparents or families involved with DCFS.
Parenting education and child development support program serving families across multiple South and Southwest Side Chicago neighborhoods.
Visit Website · Area: Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, Marquette Park, Chicago Lawn, Ashburn
- Ask whether your ZIP code or neighborhood qualifies for services.
- Ask about parenting classes and home visits.
- Ask whether virtual or in-person services are available.
Free education and life-skills classes for Chicago Public Schools parents covering parenting, GED, ESL, job readiness, financial literacy, and technology skills.
Phone: 773-553-3223 · Visit Website
Area: Chicago Public Schools Families
- Ask which free classes are currently open for registration.
- Ask whether classes are online, in-person, or hybrid.
- Ask whether childcare or interpretation services are available.
Free support hotline helping caregivers dealing with crying, stress, sleep issues, or overwhelming moments with babies and young children.
Phone: 888-431-2229 · Visit Website
Area: Illinois Families
- Call when you feel stressed, frustrated, or worried about your baby.
- Explain what is happening: crying, sleep trouble, feeding stress, or emotional overwhelm.
- Use the line early instead of waiting until burnout happens.
Grandparents & relatives raising kids
Over 100,000 grandparents in Illinois are raising their grandkids. Many took on this role suddenly — through a parent’s death, deportation, addiction, or incarceration. You stepped up. These resources have your back.
Support for relatives raising children outside the formal foster care system. Helps families with guardianship, school enrollment, benefits, and basic support services.
DCFS Hotline: 1-800-252-2873 · Visit Website
Area: Illinois
- Call and explain your relationship to the child and living situation.
- Ask about guardianship, school enrollment, and benefit programs.
- Ask what paperwork is needed to prove the child lives with you.
Chicago-based family support offering low-cost legal help for grandparents and relative caregivers dealing with custody, guardianship, and caregiving rights.
Visit Website · Area: Chicago
- Ask about guardianship or custody legal services.
- Ask about standby guardianship planning and legal documents.
- Ask what costs, appointments, or paperwork are involved.
Statewide support network helping grandparents and older caregivers raising children with counseling, respite care, legal aid, and support groups.
Visit Website · Area: Illinois Statewide
- Ask which Area Agency on Aging serves your ZIP code.
- Ask about caregiver support groups and respite care.
- Ask whether legal aid or counseling is available.
Cash assistance for relatives raising children. Child-only grants may qualify the child for Medicaid even if the caregiver’s income is higher.
FCRC Hotline: 1-800-843-6154 · Apply Online
Area: Illinois
- Call or apply online through ABE Illinois.
- Ask specifically for a “Child Only Grant.”
- Explain that you are raising a relative’s child.
- Ask what proof of residency or caregiving is required.
Mental health for parents & kids
Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support for anyone dealing with emotional distress, mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts, panic, or overwhelming situations.
Call or Text: 988 · Visit Website
Area: Nationwide
- Call or text 988 anytime, day or night.
- You do not have to be suicidal to call.
- Tell them exactly what is happening and how you are feeling.
- If someone else is struggling, you can call for guidance too.
Free mental health navigation for individuals and families needing therapy, support groups, crisis guidance, or community mental health resources.
Phone: 833-NAMI-CHI (833-626-4244) · Visit Website
Area: Chicago
- Explain what type of support you are looking for.
- Ask about therapy, psychiatry, support groups, or youth services.
- Tell them if cost, insurance, or transportation is a problem.
Chicago mental health organization providing therapy, psychiatric services, crisis support, and substance use treatment for children, teens, adults, and families.
Visit Website · Area: Multiple Chicago Locations
- Call and explain whether you need therapy, psychiatry, or crisis support.
- Ask about insurance, Medicaid, or sliding-scale fees.
- Ask whether services are available for children, teens, or adults.
Mobile mental health crisis response program sending trained mental health professionals instead of police in eligible situations and neighborhoods.
Call: 988 and ask for CARES dispatch · Visit Website
Area: Select Chicago Neighborhoods
- Call 988 and explain the mental health situation clearly.
- Ask whether CARES response is available in your area.
- Tell dispatch if anyone is unsafe, armed, or medically injured.
Domestic violence & family safety
Free, confidential, 24/7 hotline connecting survivors to emergency shelter, legal help, counseling, and safety planning across Illinois.
Phone: 877-863-6338 · Visit Website
Area: Illinois Statewide
- Call from a safe phone if possible.
- Tell them whether you need shelter, legal help, counseling, or safety planning.
- If children are involved, say that early in the call.
Chicago domestic violence organization offering emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and children’s services for survivors and families.
Hotline: 773-278-4566 · Visit Website
Area: Chicago
- Call and explain whether you are currently safe.
- Ask about emergency shelter availability and intake steps.
- Tell them if children are with you or affected by the abuse.
South Side Chicago domestic violence organization providing shelter, transitional housing, counseling, legal advocacy, and long-term family support.
Hotline: 800-360-6619 · Visit Website
Area: South Side Chicago
- Call and explain whether you need immediate shelter or long-term support.
- Ask about emergency housing and safe transportation options.
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Legal help for families
You shouldn’t need a lawyer to navigate your own family’s life. But sometimes you do — and these places help for free.
Free legal representation and advocacy for low-income Cook County families facing current or possible DCFS involvement. Focused on protecting parental rights and keeping families together safely.
Find Legal Help · Area: Cook County
- Seek help as early as possible if DCFS contacts you.
- Have any DCFS paperwork, notices, or court dates ready.
- Ask whether you qualify for free legal representation.
Free civil legal services for low-income Chicago families dealing with custody, divorce, visitation, immigration, public benefits, housing, and consumer issues.
Phone: 312-341-1070 · Visit Website
Area: Chicago & Cook County
- Call and explain the legal issue clearly.
- Ask whether your case qualifies for free representation.
- Have court papers, notices, or deadlines ready before calling.
Free legal assistance for low-income Chicago residents dealing with family law, housing problems, probate matters, and consumer issues.
Phone: 312-332-1624 · Visit Website
Area: Chicago
- Call and describe your legal problem in simple detail.
- Ask whether your issue fits their current services.
- Ask if you will be matched with a volunteer attorney.
For dads
12-week fatherhood and family-strengthening program for new dads, teen dads, uncles, grandfathers, and returning citizens rebuilding relationships with their children.
Visit Website · Area: Chicago
- Ask when the next 12-week group begins.
- Tell them if you need help with parenting, child support, employment, or reconnecting with your kids.
- Ask if transportation, virtual participation, or case management is available.
Chicago fatherhood and workforce program offering job training, parenting support, case management, and reentry help for non-custodial fathers and returning citizens.
Visit Website · Area: Chicago
- Call or contact them and explain what type of help you need.
- Ask about job training, parenting classes, or reentry support.
- Tell them if you are dealing with child support or custody barriers.
Healthcare for your kids
Free or low-cost Illinois health insurance for children regardless of immigration status. Covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental, vision, and mental health services.
Phone: 1-866-255-5437 · Apply Online
Area: Illinois Statewide
- Apply online or call for help completing the application.
- Have your child’s name, birthdate, address, and income information ready.
- If you already have Medicaid or SNAP, mention that during the process.
Early Intervention helps babies and toddlers under age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities through speech, physical, occupational, and developmental therapy services.
Cook County Phone: 708-444-8460 · Learn More
Area: Cook County & Illinois Statewide
- Call and explain the developmental concerns you are noticing.
- Ask how to schedule a free developmental evaluation.
- Ask whether therapy can happen at home, daycare, or another location.
Real Talk
Family support isn’t always easy to find. Programs can have waitlists, strict rules, or limited availability, and it’s not always clear where to start.
- Ask what services are actually offered before applying
- Check if there are waitlists or eligibility requirements
- Don’t rely on one program — look at multiple options
- If something doesn’t feel right, you can ask questions or walk away
Getting help for your family is about support, not judgment. Take it one step at a time and do what works best for you.
Family is the village. The village is here.
Whatever’s going on at home — a new baby, a kid in crisis, a system you’re fighting, a grandchild you’re suddenly raising — there are people in this city whose whole job is to help. You’re not alone, and you’re not weak for asking. Reach out if you need help finding the right door.
Contact usThese resources were researched for our community. We’re working to personally verify each one. If something is outdated or you have a resource to add, please reach out.