IWS CHILDREN’S CLINIC & OPRF INFANT WELAFRE SOCIETY FAQ
General Questions
The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society is the owner of the IWS Children’s Clinic. The IWS Children’s Clinic is the physical embodiment of the Society’s mission. We are one organization with a single purpose: to provide medical, dental and social services for children whose families cannot afford the cost of private health care.
The IWS Children’s Clinic provides health care to low-income children from birth through the 18th year. All of the children served at the IWS Children’s Clinic are from families that meet the federal poverty income guidelines. In terms of race and ethnicity, 50% of our patients are Hispanic, 30% are African American and 13% are Caucasian. The vast majority of our patients (75%) come from 50 west Cook and DuPage County suburban communities and 21% are Chicago residents.
All Kids Medicaid is the IWS Children’s Clinic largest single source of revenue but All Kids and sliding fee scale payments do not come close to meeting the actual cost of the care provided at the IWS Children’s Clinic. We close this budget gap each year through a variety of public and private sources including foundations, corporate giving programs, governmental agencies, individual donors, and special event fundraising.
The IWS Children’s Clinic relies on the generosity of hundreds of individuals like you to keep our doors open and our services affordable. Your financial support ensures that every child in our community, regardless of family income or insurance status, has access to quality affordable health care. There are many ways to support the IWS Children’s Clinic:
Make a DonationAttend an Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Event
Sponsor an Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Event
Make a Bequest or Planned Gift
Here are just a few ways you can help at the Clinic:
Join the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare SocietyVolunteer at a fundraising event
Organize a children’s book drive or a toothbrush/toothpaste drive for the IWS Children’s Clinic
Assist the Portable Dentistry team at school visits
Questions About the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society
The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society is organized by circles. Circles are small groups of IWS members who join together to support the Society’s mission through special event fundraising and direct service volunteering. There is a social component to membership as well and members make lasting friendships through their involvement in IWS. The IWS consists of 8 circles, each with its own personality and traditions. Circles meet on different days at different times so there is a circle schedule that works for everyone. There is even a circle for teenagers from area high schools – Circle 80.
The Society hosts two major fundraisers to benefit the IWS Children’s Clinic each year: the Holiday Housewalk in December and the Tee It Up Fore Kids Golf Outing in June. Individual circles sponsor additional events throughout the year including bowling parties, garage sales, etc. Check out our Society Events page for more information.
No invitation is required to join the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society. For information about joining the IWS, review our Become A Member page.
Questions About Events
For more information about the Holiday Housewalk & Market and to purchase tickets, go to the Holiday Housewalk & Market event page.
For more information about the Holiday Housewalk Market and a vendor application, go to the Holiday Housewalk & Market event page.
For more information about the Holiday Housewalk & Market and to sign up to be a sponsor, go to the Holiday Housewalk & Market event page.
For more information about Tee It Up Fore Kids, go to the Tee It Up Fore Kids sponsor page.
Questions About the IWS Children’s Clinic
The IWS Children’s Clinic is located at 320 Lake Street in Oak Park, Illinois. We are one block north of the Ridgeland stop on the ‘EL’ green line. We are also on the Lake Street and Ridgeland Avenue bus routes. Get Directions.
The IWS Children’s Clinic provides medical, dental and behavioral health care on-site. Specialty services include nutrition counseling with a dietitian and psychiatric care. The Clinic also provides health education and preventive dental care in the schools.
There are no geographic restrictions on the care provided at the IWS Children’s Clinic.
The IWS Children’s Clinic provides care for children between the ages of birth and through the 18th year.
CLINIC HOURS
Monday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
First Saturday 9:00 AM AM - 3:30 PM
Services at the Clinic are provided by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call (708) 848-0528 during regular business hours.
We get referrals come from area schools, Head Start programs, health departments, and social services agencies, as well as private doctors and dentists. We serve over 50 communities in the Chicago area.
Please be mindful of how you talk to your children about going to the dentist. Try not to instill your fears in them. And please do not threaten your child that if they aren’t good you are going to take them to the dentist to get a shot. If you know that you are nervous at the dentist then take a step back – maybe even out of the room – and let the dentist help your child have a fun experience. Children look to their parents and guardians for cues as to what to expect and how to act. If you are nervous they will be too! It can sometimes be the hardest for parents when they are nervous to control their thoughts and words–so remember–sometimes it’s better not to say anything and just smile!
If this is your child’s first visit to the Clinic, please come with your photo ID and your child’s health plan information. If your child is not enrolled in a health plan, please visit the enrollment website or contact us for more information. If you are not enrolled in a health plan a sliding fee scale is available – please bring proof of income such as your W-2 form, tax return or paycheck stub. If this is your first medical visit, please bring a copy of your child’s immunization records. New patient forms can be found on the right side of the Make an Appointment page. For more information, call (708) 848-0528 during regular business hours.
The IWS Children’s Clinic accepts All Kids Medicaid and has a modest sliding fee scale for uninsured patients but care is always provided regardless of ability to pay. For information on visit costs, view our Payment Options.