217-726-5200 Help for victims of domestic violence

217-528-8406

Provides adoption, young parent support services, counseling and divorce mediation.

1011 North 7^th Street, Springfield IL  217-525-6800

www.miniobeirne.org

The Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing emergency care of children who may be at risk or whose parents are experiencing some type of crisis. Children from birth through age 6 are cared for by trained, nurturing staff in a homelike environment, free of charge.

The Nursery is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois

528 South 5th Street

Springfield, Illinois 62701

217-522-1129

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois envisions an Illinois where all children grow up in healthy nurturing homes and communities free of child abuse, neglect or violence of any kind.  Since 1990, we have provided key leadership in this effort, working with individuals, organizations, and communities across the state.  Prevent Child Abuse Illinois works to protect children and strengthen families through public awareness, education, advocacy, community assistance and promoting support to new parents and families.

We are making a difference!  Today more people are aware of the signs of abuse and neglect and are reporting it.  Parents and guardians are changing the way they talk to and treat their children and are involved in activities that support families and children.  There is still more to do.  With your help, we can succeed in preventing child abuse!

To learn more about our professional education services, parent/community-based education, Shaken Baby Syndrome educational outreach, prevention-based legislative advocacy efforts, Prevention Resource Development Project, Healthy Families Illinois programs and our literature distribution program please contact us at 217-522-1129 or visit our web site at www.preventchildabuseillinois.org

Suicide Prevention Services

1-800-273-TALK National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

www.activemindsoncampus.org  A National non-profit started by Alison Malmon whose older brother committed suicide.  This website raises awareness for college age students and shows students where to get help.

www.afsp.org The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website provides step-by-step action plans to prevent a loved one from taking his or her life.

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Community Child Care Connection, 525-2805 or 1-800-676-2805

Down Syndrome Baby Play Group

Foster/Adoptive Parents Association

Hearts at Home Conference

Home Day Care Providers Association, 788-1959

LEAP (Linking Educators And Parents)

Memorial Medical Center, 788-3333

MOMS Club of Sangamon County, -South, IL, 585-0098

MOPS (Mothers of Preschool Children)

MOMS (Mothers of Multiples in Springfield)

Springfield Parents of Twins Club (SPOTC), 483-6390

St. John's Hospital, Call 535-3696

The Parent Place, 546-5257

Central Illinois Baby Wearers

www.groups.yahoo.com/group/centrailillinoisbabywearing

Contact: Carrie Sluga carrie@sluga.net

A group for parents/caregivers in the Central Illinois area who are interesting in different types of baby wearing and baby carriers.  CIBW meets monthly at various Springfield locations.  

183rd Family Readiness Group
The 183rd Family Readiness Group is a private organization that works toward helping, training and support of our air guard families both during times of military deployment and return.

We were organized as an extension of the Base Commander’s and his staff.
Our mission is to provide information, assistance and services to the families which will help them manage their lives better and survive the challenges they are faced with while the military member is deployed.
The training and services we offer are very valuable resources that help the families get through tough times good or bad.
We are a totally volunteer organization whose only requirement to join us is that you sincerely care about helping and assisting the families of our military.
Family readiness is different than family support, we attempt to emphasize and teach the military and Families that an Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure which is the key to a surviving through the deployment cycle. This means that both the military member and family members must not only think: but put some of the readiness techniques we teach them into practice.

We are a small group with a lot of information and skills to offer the families.
Our motto is: Always ready and always there.

Please contact Perry Jackson, Family Readiness Manager if you have any questions, at 217-757-1569

South Central Illinois Adoptive Parents Association (SCIAPA)

South Central Illinois Adoptive Parents Association (SCIAPA), is based in Chatham. Email sciapa@ameritech.net for additional information.

Capitol Area Asthma Coalition (CAAC)

Contact:  Belinda Davis 217-525-2802 Ext. 8484   Bdavis@cccConnect.org   or

Tonna Flatt 217-793-6170 tcflatt@sbcglobal.net

Provides asthma education in a group environment for parents of children with asthma in central Illinois.   Contact us for our next meeting date.

April 24^th The Domino Effect:  Families Coping with Asthma/Allergies

Panel Discussion with:  Jeffery Lehman and Ingrid Alexander – physicians,  Joni Colle - respiratory therapist, Andrea Evans - nurse practitioner and parent,  Julie Roland – parent

Supper and child care may be provided for those who RSVP.   Meeting time 6-7:30 pm, Supper 6-6:30 pm , Program 6:30-7:30 pm.  Meeting at Carol Jo Vecchie, Conference Room A & B.

July 24th "School and Asthma Action Plans" 

Speakers:  Barb Germann, RN, MA - District 186 School Nurse/Heath Services Coordinator and Renu Govindaiah, MD - Allergist

Memorial Medical Center - Conference Rooms G10/G10A

6:00 pm supper  6:30-7:30 pm Program

Community Child Care Connection

525-2805 or 1-800-676-2805

Childcare resource and referrals.  There is a $20 donation to receive referrals. 

Down Syndrome Baby Play Group

Come join us to play, share stories with other parents, and exchange valuable advice and resources!  We meet the 2nd Monday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at  Sugar Creek Methodist Church in Chatham.  Hosted by Amanda Ledferd and Deb Gossrow  (both moms of young children with Down Syndrome)

Contact: Deb Gossrow at gossrow3@comcast.net

Hearts at Home Conference in Bloomington by Jody Antrim

Are you a mom who needs a makeover?! If so, there’s a spot for you at the annual Hearts at Home conference on the Illinois State University campus in Bloomington, Illinois. 

You’ll find workshops for moms who are looking to makeover some area of their life.  Nationally known speakers will address issues relating to marriage, parenting skills (whether it’s for toddlers or teens), home organization, or taking care of yourself – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Keynote speakers are founder and CEO of Hearts at Home, Jill Savage, and Lisa Whelchel, best known for her starring role as Blair on NBC’s “The Facts of Life” for nine years before her major career switch to wife, mother and author.

“My sister and I go together for the weekend,” says Springfield mom, Janie Thompson, who has attended the conferences since 1994. “No matter what’s happening in my life, I always return with something pertinent I’ve learned and can apply.”  Hearts at Home, founded in 1994, encourages, educates and equips women in the profession of motherhood. With conferences in five cities, the National Conference is held at the ISU campus, attracting more than 6,000 women. It’s a great way to get away for a weekend to sharpen your skills, surround yourself with others in your profession, be reminded of your value as a mom and return home with a fresh outlook. The conference is held on Friday and Saturday with a “Moms Night Out” on Friday night. Visit the Hearts at Home website, www.hearts-at-home.org, for more specifics of the conference.   

Jody Antrim lives in Rochester and is a doting mother and grandmother.  She also sits on the Board of Directors of the Hearts at Home organization.

Home Day Care Providers Association of Springfield

This is a child care resource and referral service for only in-home licensed providers.

The referral service is free.

Call 217-788-1959.

Foster/Adoptive Parents Association

The Land of Lincoln Foster/Adoptive Parent Association meets monthly from August to May at the Carol Jo Vecchie Center the third Tuesday of the month.   We take off June and July, and we have a Christmas party in December so no meetings those months.  We meet at 6 p.m. for socialization and discussion of issues.   At 6:45 p.m. we usually have a training topic/speaker for 1 hour for training credits for re-licensure. Babysitting is provided as long as you let us know in advance the number and ages of children you will be bringing to make sure we have enough help. You are welcome to brown bag your supper and eat at the meeting. For more information you may contact Cindy Backstein at 498-8774 or email at Backstein@mchsi.com

LEAP (Linking Educators And Parents)

LEAP - Linking Educators and Parents of dyslexic and learning disabled children from infants through high school meets regularly in Springfield as a support group for teachers, parents, and caregivers of children with Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, or just struggling learners.  Contact Lynn Samuelson at 726-9204 or habiland-samuelson@att.net for more information on the next meeting.

Memorial Medical Center

Numerous classes from new mom support groups, daddy boot camp, Lamaze, infant massage, baby sign language etc. Call 788-3333 for detailed information.

Contact Barb Schemmer at 788-3378 regarding mom and baby support groups for birth to 12 months.

MOMS Club of Sangamon County-South, IL

MOMS Club is an International group which supports stay at home mothers through social activities, an annual charitable event and friendships formed with stay-at-home mothers. We are not affiliated with any religion and welcome all mothers to our events.  Your children are also welcome, though not required to attend.  We meet several times a month around the area for park play dates, potlucks, field trips, MOMS Night Out, discussions, and whatever else we can think of! 

The areas encompassed include Springfield, Auburn, Chatham, Divernon, Glenarm, Loami, Lowder, New City, Pawnee, Rochester, and Thayer.  For more information, please contact Beth Thing at 585-0098 or momsclubssil@hotmail.com

MOPS (Mothers of Preschool Children)

A dynamic program designed to nurture mothers with children from infancy to kindergarten. There are at least 5 local groups. Go to their website www.mops.org and enter your zip code to find a group near you. A typical meeting includes childcare, speakers, snacks and small group discussions.

Beginning September 12, 2007 the Springfield MOPS meets the second and fourth Wednesdays, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Hope Evangelical Free Church, 3000 Lenhart Road. 

For more information, contact Mellissa Hubbard, 546-0544 or  www.MOPS.org

Athens: Mothers of Preschoolers, or MOPS, will begin its 2007-2008 year at 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 at the Athens Christian Church.   Speakers and activities are planned around this year’s exciting theme, “The Home Factor: Begin here…go there.” Topics MOPS will explore include decluttering, manners for kids, Love and Logic discipline, first aid, gardening, decorating, communication in marriage, safe entertainment for families, home repairs, budgeting and more.   MOPS is designed to encourage mothers with children infant through kindergarten through relationships and resources. MOPS provides a Christ-centered atmosphere for mothers to help them develop their friendships, creativity and leadership, while helping them gain knowledge that will help them in childrearing, marriage and family relationships.   Meetings are held on Tuesdays twice a month from 9:30-11:30 at the Athens Christian Church.   Each meeting offers childcare in a preschool-like setting. Moms socialize with other moms during meetings. There will be food, creative activities and door prizes.   If you are interested, please call Erin Englin at 636-8473.

For more information, call Erin or the church office at 636-8463.

MOMS (Mothers of Multiples in Springfield)

Contact Leslie Anderson with questions

benjoeyryantom@insightbb.com

Founded in 2000, this support group is for new and expecting moms to help them through pregnancy and afterwards.  Our support group is for those at higher risk for premature birth complications, brain bleeds and loss of a baby (which members of our group have experienced).  We also help mothers with things to do with their multiples, therapies, and school issues.  Also, many of us have children with various learning disabilities, CP, orthopedic issues, etc. and can offer help regarding these disabilities.