Resources & Support for Migrant Youth and Families
ACT Now is committed to supporting migrant youth and families by providing access to critical resources and guidance. This page serves as a central location for information, services, and tools to help young people and their families navigate education, housing, healthcare, and community support.
General Resources for Youth & Families
This section provides resources for migrant youth and families, including legal support, education access, health services, and community programs.
Illinois Access to Justice offers legal assistance resources for migrant individuals and families navigating legal challenges including immigration and employment issues.
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Welcoming Centers
Illinois Welcoming Centers provide holistic support for migrant families, offering case management, referrals to essential services, and guidance on education, healthcare, and employment resources.
ICIRR’S Know Your Rights Guide
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) has published a “Know Your Rights” one-pager to assist individuals during interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The guide also emphasizes the importance of creating a family safety plan, including memorizing emergency contacts, designating someone to pick up children from school, and providing written authorization for medical and legal decisions.
For assistance, ICIRR offers a 24-hour Family Support Hotline at 1-855-435-7693.
ICIRR’S Know Your Rights Guide (Spanish)
Illinois Migrant Council (IMC) Education Services
The Illinois Migrant COuncil offers education-focused resources, including tutoring, early childcare education, and college readiness programs for migrant students.
U.S. Department of Education: Access to Education for Migratory Children
Learn more about the rights your children have in U.S. schools, including access to education, language services, and discrimination protections.
ICIRR Healthcare Resources for Immigrants and Refugees
ICIRR provides fact sheets for health programs available to migrants in Illinois, including an interactive map of health clinics offering low-cost or free services regardless of immigration status.
Medicaid Matters! Fact Sheet (Spanish)
Medicaid Matters! Fact Sheet (Arabic)
ACA: Here to Stay Fact Sheet (Spanish)
ACA: Here to Stay Fact Sheet (Arabic)
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Youth Behavioral Health Resources
A directory of state-supported mental and behavioral health services to children and families, including those from migrant backgrounds.
Emergency & Transitional Housing Program
If you are in a vulnerable situation facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program can provide shelter services.
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies work to support families to find resources and information related to childcare.
IDHS Food Connections Resource Page
This page lists food assistance programs available across Illinois, including food pantries, meal programs, and nutrition services.
School-Based Resources
Educators and school staff play a crucial role in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for migrant youth. This section offers best practices, policy guidance, and direct support resources.
15 Things Educators Can Do to Support Immigrant Youth & Families
Educators play a vital role in supporting immigrant and undocumented students. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has outlined 15 actionable steps to help protect these students and their families. Strategies include providing “Know Your Rights” resources, establishing schools as safe zones, connecting families with legal aid, and advocating for policies that ensure student safety. By taking these steps, schools can create inclusive and supportive environments where all students can thrive.
15 Things Educators Can Do to Support Immigrant Youth & Families (Spanish PDF)
National Immigration Law Center Fact Sheet on Rescission of Protected Areas
The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) highlights the risks posed by the Trump Administration’s decision to revoke protections for “protected areas” such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. This policy shift increases the likelihood of immigration enforcement in these spaces, potentially deterring immigrants from seeking essential services. NILC urges communities to stay informed about their rights and continue advocating for policies that promote safety and access for all.
Learning for Justice Guide for Educators and School Support Staff
This guide was created for educators, school support staff and service providers who teach, mentor and help open the doors of opportunity for undocumented youth and unaccompanied and refugee children currently living in the United States. This resource provides guidelines on creating safe, welcoming environments for all students, particularly immigrants. It emphasizes the importance of school policies on sharing student information and engaging with immigration issues sensitively and legally.
The National Education Association (NEA) Resources
The NEA has curated resources and other offerings from collaborating partners to promote educational best practices and provide strategies to teach and support English language and multilingual learners.
The Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) offers several practical resources, including the “Framework for Effective Instruction of Secondary English Language Learners” and guides focused on science instructional strategies for elementary and secondary grades. These resources emphasize academic language development integrated with content instruction and are designed to cater to the needs of English learners from diverse backgrounds.
Illinois State Board of Education Migrant Education Program
​The federally funded Migrant Education Program (MEP) provides supplemental education and supportive services to migrant children. Funds are available to support projects in districts with documented migrant student populations. MEP projects operate in support of, and in coordination with, the regular school programs.
US Department of Education’s Newcomer Toolkit
The Newcomer Toolkit is designed to help U.S. educators; elementary and secondary teachers, principals, and other school staff who work directly with immigrant students—including asylees and refugees—and their families. This toolkit helps educators support the integration of immigrant students. It covers welcoming newcomers, supporting their social and emotional needs, providing high-quality instruction, and establishing partnerships with families.
‘Protecting Our Students’ Toolkit
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has updated its “Protecting Our Students and Families Toolkit” to guide educators in supporting immigrant students. The toolkit provides steps such as educating families on their rights, distributing “Know Your Rights” materials, and connecting with legal aid organizations. It also recommends creating safe spaces for affected students, developing emergency plans, and advocating for schools to be designated as ICE-free zones. Additionally, it encourages passing school board resolutions and providing access to scholarships for undocumented students.
‘Protecting Our Students’ Toolkit (Spanish)
ColorÃn Colorado Immigration Guide
This comprehensive guide includes dozens of strategies that educators, staff, and administrators can use to support immigrant students and their families. It includes resources for social-emotional support, answering immigration-related questions, and provides guidance on staff training and building partnerships with immigrant families.
ColorÃn Colorado Immigration Guide (Spanish)
ISBE’s Non-Regulatory Guidance on Immigration Enforcement Actions
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has issued non-regulatory guidance to assist public schools in navigating interactions with federal immigration enforcement agencies. It reaffirms that all students, regardless of status, have the right to public education and advises schools not to ask about citizenship during enrollment. The document outlines how to respond to warrants and subpoenas, especially as federal protections for “sensitive locations” like schools have changed. ISBE urges schools to establish policies to prepare for potential enforcement actions.
National Education Association’s Comprehensive Guide on Immigration for Schools
This resource provides crucial information on enrollment procedures, the implications of the Plyler v. Doe decision, and the adoption of “Safe Zone” resolutions to protect students from immigration enforcement on school grounds. Additionally, it offers advice on how educators can legally and safely advocate for immigrant students, addresses common questions regarding mass raids, and includes a “Know Your Rights” guide to assist students and families during enforcement actions.
National Education Association’s Safe Zone School Resolution Guide
The National Education Association (NEA) emphasizes the importance of creating “Safe Zone” school districts to ensure that all students, regardless of immigration status, can learn without fear of enforcement actions. To support this initiative, the NEA offers a sample resolution and model policy that school districts can adopt. These resources provide guidance on reassuring students, establishing procedures for interactions with law enforcement, and offering information and support to families and staff. By implementing such policies, schools can foster a more inclusive and secure environment for immigrant students and their communities.
Community-Based Organization (CBO) Resources
Community-based organizations are essential in providing wraparound support for migrant youth and families. This section offers resources and strategies to help CBOs enhance their services, build strong partnerships, and advocate effectively.
List of Illinois Welcoming Centers
The Illinois Welcoming Center (IWC) is a comprehensive service center for the integration of immigrants and refugees in Illinois. The Illinois Welcoming Center’s innovative model eliminates systemic barriers that immigrants may have in approaching state services. designed to help immigrants navigate state services and coordinate those state services with non-profit community social service. Over the years, the Welcoming Center program has expanded to include a community-based service model.
List of Community Service Agencies Serving Immigrants
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) provides a comprehensive list of community service agencies dedicated to assisting immigrants across the state. This directory includes organizations offering services such as citizenship education, case management, interpretation, translation, and legal assistance. Each listing details the agency’s address, contact information, available services, languages spoken, and the specific geographic areas they serve. This resource aims to connect immigrants with local support to facilitate their integration and access to essential services.
The City of Chicago’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights offers a comprehensive directory of community resources to support immigrants from around the world. This resource includes contact information for various organizations providing services such as legal assistance, language support, and cultural integration programs.
The Illinois Access to Justice network provides high-quality legal services in the neighborhoods where people live and work. Legal Services include representation in criminal, civil, administrative, and immigration matters.
Illinois Access to Justice (Spanish)
Call 1-888-708-6-A2J to find a legal service provider in your area.
Supporting and Educating Migrant and Refugee Youth
The National Education Association (NEA) provides resources to help educators support and educate migrant and refugee children, who often face significant obstacles in accessing quality education. The NEA offers toolkits, best practices, and advocacy efforts to address the unique needs of these students, including psychological and social support, language development, and strategies to combat discrimination and xenophobia.
CPS Refugee/Newcomer Student Services
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) offers specialized support for refugee and newcomer students through its Refugee/Newcomer Student Services. These services include language assistance, cultural integration programs, and academic support to help students transition smoothly into the educational system. For more information, visit the CPS website.
Healthcare Center Locator Tool
If you would like to locate a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) has a health center locator tool where you can search for a health center by address, state, or county. FQHCs are in most cities and many rural areas. They will help you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income.
Healthcare Center Locator Tool (Spanish)
Visit Federally Qualified Health Center website
CIMH Mental Heath services Directory (English) (9/20/2019)
The Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health has compiled a directory of services in both English and Spanish, with costs and requirements for each that have been individually contacted and confirmed.
CIMH Mental Health Services Directory (Spanish) (9/20/2019)
Illinois Worknet Workforce Services for Immigrant and Refugee Job Seekers
Illinois workNet offers comprehensive support for immigrants and refugees seeking employment in new communities. Through American Job Centers and online resources, individuals can access assistance tailored to their needs. Job seekers in the Chicago area can connect with a Career Pathway Navigator or visit their nearest Illinois workNet American Job Center for personalized guidance. Employers are also encouraged to engage with these centers to address workforce needs, access hiring resources, and support training initiatives for new arrivals.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) collaborates with the Illinois Department of Human Services to support immigrants in accessing public benefits. Through programs like the Immigrant Family Resource Program (IFRP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), ICIRR helps reduce barriers and ensures equitable access to services in multiple languages. These efforts aim to improve the well-being and economic self-sufficiency of immigrant families across Illinois.
GCIR’s Immigrant Rights and Philanthropic Recommendations
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) has released a guide offering strategic guidance for philanthropic organizations to support the immigrant justice movement under the new federal administration. The recommendations emphasize immediate interventions to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of immigrant communities. This guide also highlights the importance of investing in long-term strategies to advance immigrant rights and uphold a multiracial democracy.
National Council of Nonprofits: Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits
The National Council of Nonprofits has released a chart detailing recent Executive Orders (EOs) signed by President Trump since his January 20, 2025, inauguration. These EOs address topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs; government grants and contracts; civic engagement; immigration; and specific nonprofit subsectors. The chart provides summaries of each EO, their potential impacts on charitable nonprofits, and related actions. Some EOs may face legal challenges and might not take immediate effect. The document is updated regularly to reflect new developments.
