OUR APPROACH
From Understanding Risk to Building Resilience
Look at conditions, risk factors, opportunities for earlier intervention.
Transportation
Transportation is about more than getting from one place to another. Reliable transportation can determine whether a person can get to work, attend school, keep a medical appointment, pick up medication, access childcare, obtain groceries, or reach essential services. Limited transportation can create barriers that compound over time, particularly for children, older adults, people with disabilities, and families without reliable vehicles. Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ looks at transportation access as an important part of a person's ability to remain connected to the resources and opportunities they need.
2. APPROACH
Housing, Safety & Neighborhood
Housing is more than having a roof over your head—it is the environment in which people live, grow, and feel safe. Stable, affordable, and healthy housing can influence physical health, emotional well-being, family stability, education, and employment. Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ considers housing stability, affordability, overcrowding, homelessness, eviction risk, utilities, and conditions such as mold, pests, and unsafe maintenance, along with neighborhood safety, exposure to violence, environmental conditions, access to parks, transportation, schools, food, healthcare, and other essential resources. Understanding these conditions helps identify vulnerabilities and opportunities to strengthen safety, stability, and protective factors before challenges become crises.
3. WORK
Food Security
Food security means having consistent access to enough nutritious food to support health and well-being. Food insecurity can affect more than hunger. When families must choose between food and rent, transportation, utilities, medication, or other necessities, the effects can reach every part of family life. Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ considers access to affordable, nutritious food, food assistance programs, grocery stores, school meals, transportation to food sources, and other community resources that help families maintain nutritional stability.
Education
Education is a powerful contributor to health and opportunity across the lifespan. Access to quality education can influence employment, income, health literacy, decision-making, social connection, and long-term stability. Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ considers early childhood education, school attendance, academic support, special education services, graduation opportunities, adult education, workforce training, and access to the information people need to make informed decisions about their lives and health.
5. APPROACH
Employment & Economic Stability
Employment and economic stability influence many of the choices and opportunities available to individuals and families. Reliable employment, adequate income, safe working conditions, benefits, childcare, and opportunities for advancement can contribute to stability and well-being. Financial stress, unemployment, underemployment, debt, or unpredictable income can make it more difficult to secure housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other necessities. Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ looks at economic conditions as part of the larger picture of wellness and identifies opportunities to connect people with employment, education, financial, and community resources.
