Programs

Developmental Training provides a variety of structured activities to help individuals achieve their highest potential. Participants learn vocational skills, functional academics, self-care, gross and fine motor skill enhancement, and communication skills. It also addresses the needs of senior citizens with developmental disabilities by providing an alternative to a work setting or to traditional day programming, with activities such as picnics, senior luncheons, shopping, bingo, and crafts. Following a referral from Suburban Access, our local pre-admission screening (PAS) agency, a screening determines the appropriateness of our services for the individual. Developmental Training is currently offered at three program locations, each designed to meet the individual needs of our program participants.

Through private grants, New Hope Center was able to enhance its Garden Creations program.  This was a major highlight in the Developmental Training Program, as they took their designs to the 2006 Chicago Flower and Garden Show. Several volunteers including New Hope Center participants, employees, and board members, all volunteered to staff the sales booth at the 10-day event. Our involvement in the Flower and Garden Show was highlighted in a special segment on ABC7 Chicago.  Karen Meyer, reporter for ABC 7 Chicago, recently did a feature story on our Garden Creations. To see the video clip, click here. To view the story as it appeared on the ABC 7 website, click here.  We hope to continue our success in this endeavor.

In order to continue providing the most current and effective developmental and vocational training tools to our participants, we also received private funding that was used to purchase new program materials, including items for establishing a simulated workshop environment for individuals who are not yet ready for a real work setting.

During spring 2007, our Developmental Training program began a new lawn care initiative, which has provided increased opportunities to several individuals. With the help of a crew leader and privately funded equipment, several participants began taking on lawn care projects in our local communities. The project has proved to be very rewarding thus far.

This past year, our three Developmental Training programs provided services to approximately 260 individuals. This program provided a cumulative total of 275,934 hours of service as follows:

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Residential Services provides quality living and community integration opportunities, and assistance with the activities of daily living. Participants live in single-family residences situated in several residential communities and receive 24-hour supervision and support, which enables them to enjoy a quality life and become successfully integrated into the community.

Click here to see what's happening this month in our programs.  Click here to view the AOD schedule.

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Employment Services was introduced to provide employers with reliable and skilled workers while maximizing the independence of our participants. This is a vital service, as it is often challenging for the disabled individual to find a job. The program provides individual job placements in the community, mobile work crews, and sub-contract work. Employment Services also offers in-house contract work to individuals receiving Developmental Training services. The Supported Employment program provides on-the-job training and follow-up consultations for all of its participants.

This past year, the Supported Employment program served 35 individuals under a contract with the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). On any given day, our employees work with an average of 19 adults with disabilities. This past year, we helped 16 individuals find jobs. Most became employed in typical entry-level positions at places such as the Dollar General Store, Burlington Coat Factory, Jewel Foods, Ace Snack Bar, Cub Foods, the K & G Superstore, and Famous Footwear. Several unique placements were made at the Markham Court House Social Services Department, in a dentist’s office, and at the Family Christian Center.

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Community Support Services provides a comprehensive array of support services to families within our area through the Family Support Unit (FSU), including advocacy, counseling, and assistance in benefit obtainment and referral services. Community Support Services also provides case management to individuals enrolled in the Home Base program, residents of nursing homes, and individuals residing in the family home. Services are also provided to individuals participating in the Intermittent CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement) program, including transportation, medical appointments, benefits obtainment, and financial planning.

This past year, there were 2,413 hours of respite services, intake, and family assistance provided under the Title XX AFSU (Adult and Family Support) grant. There were 1,960 hours of respite provided under the CFSU (Client and Family Support) grant. A new individual was enrolled in the Intermittent CILA program, for a total of 7 individuals in this program. The Family Support Unit provided 2,904 hours of case management services to individuals enrolled in AFSU, CFSU, and Home Base services.

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Recreation Services are contracted through Special Recreation Services (SRS) to provide assessment, planning, development, and facilitation of therapeutic recreation programs designed to meet the varied needs of persons with developmental disabilities. Cooperative members of SRS include the Calumet Memorial, Ivanhoe and Dolton Park Districts, as well as the South Holland Parks Department and the Thornton Recreation Department. Programs provided by Special Recreation Services included Special Olympics, community-based therapeutic activities, leisure education, special events, trips, sports, as well as summer camp for children.

During fiscal year 2007, SRS offered 98 special events, and 94 weekly programs over the course of five program seasons.

We are proud to announce that SRS recently began a new health & nutrition program in conjunction with our Residential Program. Private grants made it possible for us to offer a wider range of healthy activities designed for adults with disabilities.

To visit the SRS website, click here.

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