Our Services
Community Support Services delivers solutions for (1) adults with developmental disabilities, (2) children with developmental disabilities, and (3) families of people with developmental disabilities. While some of our participants are self-sufficient and have the capacity to live and work alone, others require continuous care and attention. The needs of their families vary as well. Our services are designed to meet the needs of those across the spectrum, fostering independence and reinforcing our core values: respect the dignity, rights and self-determination of each person. And, our Project for Family Support 360 enables us to offer even broader circles of support, helping those in need access resources even if we don’t offer them ourselves by connecting people with our partners.
To qualify for help from Community Support Services, you must be diagnosed with a developmental disability and:- Reside in western Cook or eastern DuPage county
- Meet age restrictions (specific to particular services)
- Fill out a CSS inquiry form
CloseOur services include: Our Respite Services provide family-centered support in individual and group settings. Our services take place inside participants’ homes and in outside environments. We help participants develop self-esteem, independence and social skills while enjoying greater participation in community life. Our services also reduce stress and improve home life by providing relief from care-giving for family members.
Respite Services are available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families within our service area. Once enrolled, families may select one of two program arrangements:
- Voucher Respite Services - family hires, trains and supervises direct support professional (DSP) and CSS reimburses them, based on their costs.
- General Respite Services – CSS hires, trains and supervises DSPs.
Our Parents Night Out Program (PNO) takes place on Friday evenings and Saturdays in various community locations including local Park Districts, churches and community centers throughout our service area. Interested families can work with CSS to create their own groups if none exist in their community. PNO is open to the child with the disability as well as his/her non-disabled siblings. Click here for a list of locations, fees, and times.
Throughout the year, CSS offers special interest groups, social events, or special services for residents of specific communities, initiated by particular funding sources or community groups. These may include an Art Club, holiday parties, summer day camps, or series of Health & Wellness classes. Check our calendar often for further details.
To speak with a CSS staff person about Respite, you may email respite at communitysupportservices dot org. Please include your name and a phone number or email for you to receive a response. Or fill out an inquiry form.
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Parent's Night Out
If you are a parent or caregiver with a child(ren) with a developmental disability, and are in need of a few hours of relief, one of these groups may be for you.
How do I sign up?
If you are new to CSS, you must contact our Intake Coordinator for an intake appointment. You do not need to be currently enrolled in CSS services to participate in a PNO. However, your child(ren) must qualify as having a diagnosed developmental disability. If you already receive services through CSS, you can ask your Service Coordinator about participating in a PNO.
What is involved?
To keep the groups manageable, space is limited. Reservations are required, and taken on a first call basis. Reservations are taken only for one month at a time. You may drop off your child(ren) ages 3-13 who qualifies, along with their siblings for a few hours of small group activities, dinner, music, and/or crafts. All children are supervised by trained professional staff from CSS for the entire four-hour period. Siblings may only attend with the child(ren) qualifying for service.
Is there a fee?
There is a $7.00 fee for families with only one child/$12.00 fee for families with two or more children attending group.
For additional information, contact:
Kris Ponta, Respite/Family Support Program
Manager (708) 354-4547 x138
kponta@communitysupportservices.org
For dates please look at our calendar.
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Family Support
Our Family Support Services provide culturally-sensitive assistance to families attempting to better understand what federal, state and community-based services are available to them. We help participants identify and prioritize their needs, develop a plan that establishes long and short term goals, and acquire tactics for achieving those goals.
Our professional staff helps participants gain information and referrals, access advocacy, and navigate applications for government funding. We link families to home-based services, help them obtain financial and medical benefits, secure medical and dental services, locate recreational opportunities, and more. For families of children with autism and other disabilities requiring intensive support, we provide specialized respite and family support services, including a Home-Based Medicare Waiver Program. The Service Coordinator assigned to these families helps to manage all of the participant’s professional services, and to reinforce learned behaviors and coping skills with the participant and the family, in their home. Our Project for Family Support 360, coming to Cicero in early 2010, is one way that we put the concept of integrated services to work.
Periodically, we offer additional services such workshops on various topics of interest to our participants and their families. One example is as our Sibshop® program that provides opportunities for children with disabilities and their siblings to meet and support each other by sharing feelings and experiences associated with their family lives.
To speak with a CSS staff person about Family Support, you may email familysupport at communitysupportservices dot org. Please include your name and a phone number or email for you to receive a response. Or fill out an inquiry form.
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- Those living in their own homes who require intermittent support.
- Those living in CSS-owned Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) group homes in need of 24-hour assistance.
- Those in transition who need to build targeted skills to live independently in their community.
To speak with a CSS staff person about Adult Services, you may email adultservices at communitysupportservices dot org. Please include your name and a phone number or email for you to receive a response. Or fill out an inquiry form.
Close Our Supported Employment services are designed for adults with developmental disabilities who are interested in working or volunteering in the community. The focus for participants is not only on achieving employment, but also acquiring the skills to become productive and valuable employees and volunteers.
CSS Employment Services are designed to achieve and maintain employment. Services include customized vocational training, job-search and interviewing skills, employment support and advocacy. We work with participants to identify areas of vocational interest and establish an individualized plan to obtain, and maintain, employment in their area of interest. In addition, we help businesses in the community to understand our participants and use best practices in working with people with disabilities. Ultimately, we build bridges and long-lasting relationships between employers and adults with disabilities.
For those interested in specialized support, we have several options:
Our Canine Care Assistant Training is devised to help participants in transition develop some job-specific skills. We provide this training on-site in our Chicago Canine Club. Classes are offered in eight-week sessions and the curriculum covers the basics of handling, caring for, and working with dogs, as well as hands-on experience with dogs boarded at the Chicago Canine Club.
Our Bridges program provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to volunteer, with the support of a CSS Job Coach, at Brookfield Zoo.
You can see our network of employers listed on our Partner page. If you are an employer interested in learning about how you can hire and work with individuals with disabilities, visit our Get Involved page for additional information.
To speak with a CSS staff person about Supported Employment, you may email supportedemployment at communitysupportservices dot org. Please include your name and a phone number or email for your response. Or fill out an inquiry form.
Close Our Supported Parenting Services provide ongoing support to parents with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to enable parents to maintain a nurturing home for their children. Our services are offered individually and through peer-led groups: volunteer parents with disabilities design the curriculum and activities, with minimal staff support. Classes include segments on household management, financial management, nutrition, health care and community integration. A group of parents has created their own newsletter that you can view on the Our Families page.
To speak with a CSS staff person about Supported Parenting, you may email supportedparenting at communitysupportservices dot org. Please include your name and a phone number or email for your response. Or fill out an inquiry form.
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JOIN US...
Join Us at our “Beat the Odds” Casino Night
April 13th, 2012 at Bella Banquets in Countryside.
For more info click here.
To be a sponsor, donate a silent auction item, or purchase tickets, click here.
Join us at the Real Abilities Film Festival in Oak Park. For more details click here.
To qualify for help from Community Support Services, you must be diagnosed with a developmental disability and:
| • | Reside in western Cook or eastern DuPage county |
| • | Meet age restrictions (specific to particular services) |
| • | Fill out a CSS inquiry form |
For more information, please get in touch with our Intake Department. You can reach us at intake at community support services dot org or by phone at 708.354.4547 ext. 235.