Parenting Resources

Whether you are a brand new parent or have been at it for a while — whether you are a long-time Champaign-Urbana resident or are new to the area — we know that having access to resources is invaluable. Below please find links to various area agencies and organizations who are committed to offering assistance to families.

Childcare

• Child Care Resources Service (CCRS)
  Increases access to quality child care services in the area though assistance in funding for child care as well as parent and provider resources.
• Orchard Downs Preschool
  Offers a half-day preschool option available to all students; the program is part of Family & Graduate Housing.
• Child Development Lab
  Provides child care for children from infancy to age 4 and is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Services.
• Crisis Nursery
  Provides 24-hour emergency care for children and support to strengthen families in crisis.
• DHS Childcare Assistance Program
  Provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable child care that allows them to continue working.
• Kids Plus: Champaign Unit 4 School District
  Offers a before- and after-school program providing a balance of recreation, educational and social opportunities.
• Urbana School District Before- and After-School Child Care Program
  Provides a safe supervised place for students kindergarten through fifth grade.
• Head Start and Early Head Start of Champaign County
  Provides an early childhood/preschool program for income-eligible children from 6 weeks to age 3 and Head Start programs for children 3-5 years old.

Health & Wellness

• All Kids State Insurance
  Offers many Illinois children comprehensive healthcare.
• Champaign County Christian Health Center
  Provides holistic, free, and quality health care services.
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
  Offers nutrition assessment, counseling, and supplemental food vouchers for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5.
• Multicultural Health Center
  Delivers culturally sensitive health services to the families of the Family and Graduate Housing Community.
• Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
  Provides an array of programs and services ranging from pregnancy care to child immunizations to dental care.
• CASE Audiology
  Provides free hearing evaluations for children (birth through graduation from high school) residing in Champaign and Ford counties.
• Developmental Services Center
  Services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
• Carle Hospital Breastfeeding Clinic
  Provides pumps and other materials as well as support and education about lactation.
• Office of Student Health Insurance
  Provides detailed information about the student health insurance plan (including how to add dependents) and fees offered through the university.
• Carle Foundation Hospital
• OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center
• McKinley Health Center

Support

• Campus Lactation Spaces
  For a list of available lactation spaces across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, please visit the Campus Lactation Space Guide (doc) located at the Women’s Resources Center’s webpage.
• University of Illinois' Parenting 24/7
  Provides a "one-stop" source of news, information, and advice on parenting and family life.
• Chambana Moms
  Shares information about family-friendly services, events and places in the area.
• United Way of Champaign County
  Provides comprehensive information on local resources.
• Up Center
  Provides support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and ally community of Champaign County.
• Safe Kids Champaign County
  Free inspections and fittings of children’s car seats by appointment; eligible families may receive a new seat for $20. Additional general safety information can also be found on the site.
• Infant-Parent Institute
  Provides counseling, professional training, and research related to the optimal development of infants and their families.
• Rosecrance
  Offers counseling and psychiatric services for children, adolescents, and adults.
• Yours, Mine, and Ours Kids Shop
  Sells affordable second-hand children’s clothing; located at 1824 Glen Park Drive in Champaign.
• Birthright
  Provides a variety of services including free maternity and baby clothes to those in need, emotional support and information/referrals.
• Women's Resources Center
  Offers support and advocacy services, empowers women, strengthens alliances with men; committed to creating community within University of Illinois.
• Family Service Self-Help Center
  Provides education, promotion, and establishment of support groups and fosters relationships between community organizations, support groups and individuals.
• Family Resilience Center
  Seeks to strengthen families’ abilities to meet life’s challenges and to thrive.
• Pregnant and Parenting Students

Fitness

• Stephens Family YMCA in Champaign
  Serves the community by providing fitness facilities, day camps and numerous other valuable programs.
• First Christian Church Playground
  Offers access to an indoor playground.
• Champaign Park District
  Manages Champaign parks and offers recreational programs to residents of all ages.
• Urbana Park District
  Serves the community by providing fitness facilities, day camps, and numerous other programs.
• Urbana Aquatic Center
  Offers swim lessons, private rentals, public swim and other programs.
• Campus Recreation
  Identifies specific hours when children are allowed at the ARC and CRCE as well as associated membership fees.