Programs and Services

Developmental Training – SouthSTAR Services’ Developmental Training Program offers a wide array of weekday programs for adults with developmental disabilities to meet the individual needs of each participant.  By providing a structured setting, individuals attending our Developmental Training Programs have the opportunity to increase their vocational proficiency, earn a wage while interacting with peers and the community at large. In addition, participants are given the opportunity to reach their full potential by practicing academic skills such as reading, time telling and money management.  The program also offers opportunities for leisure and recreational activities to help build social awareness and survival skills.

In an effort to provide a blend of instruction, vocational services and activities, an individual service plan is developed with input from the SouthSTAR staff, each individual and their support system.  This service plan ensures that the services provided to each participant are based on their interests and abilities.

Examples of the services provided in the Developmental Training Program include: Programming for Senior Citizens, Sensory Stimulation, Computer Lab Instruction, Vocational Training (Workshop and Supported Employment), Programming to Enhance Daily Living Skills, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

Community Living -  SouthSTAR Services owns and operates five Community Integrated Living Arrangement  (CILA) Homes.  Each home is integrated into a neighborhood and community setting that strives to offer opportunities for people with disabilities to live as independently as possible.  Each person decorates their bedrooms, decides on which activities and outings to participate in and assists in the planning of the weeks menus.

The people living within these homes are offered wide array of services to meet their individual needs and 24 hour staff supervision to helps guide each person in becoming as independent as possible.  In addition, a wide array of clinical support such as: nursing, behavioral, psychiatric, dietary and counseling is provided to assist each individual in maintaining their overall level of independence.

Each CILA is licensed by the Department of Human Services and are located in the following communities:  Crete, Flossmoor, Matteson and Park Forest.

Home – Based Support -  Understanding the time and effort it may take to care for a loved one with a developmental disability, SouthSTAR Services offers a program to help provide support within the home.  This program works to coordinate a variety of services needed for each participant to remain in the home.  The program is designed to provide the skills and community integration necessary to promote the family environment.  This program focuses on partnering with the family to meet the needs of individual while supporting the family unit.

Support Services - Together SouthSTAR Services’ has hired an excellent team of personnel, all of whom have a genuine interest in the success of the people we serve.  Working collaboratively with program participants and their families, SouthSTAR provides an array of services that assist each individual in meeting their own personal goals.  Support Services include:

• Individual and Group Counseling

• Transportation

• Social Services

• Psychological testing

• Behavioral Treatment

• Planning

• Self Advocacy

Employment Services - Many of the people participating in services at SouthSTAR have a desire to work within the community.  Therefore, SouthSTAR has an extensive employment program to help each individual develop the skill necessary to achieve greater independence.  SouthSTAR works with employers to ensure successful on-the-job relationship and even offer job coaching services for the first 90 days of employment.

• The Employment Program at SouthSTAR utilizes a four step process which ensure successful placement including:

• Comprehensive Career Assessment focusing on exploring an individual’s strengths, interests, and barriers to employment.

• Internal (organizational based) job exploration and preparation providing industry specific training in a safe and realistic environment at SouthSTAR.

• External (community based) job training providing paid and/or volunteer experiences that will give the individual an opportunity to further enhance their skills in a community based work environment.

• Job Acquisition by utilizing job coaches to help an individual find employment within the community.