Community Living
Envision Unlimited provides a variety of residential living arrangements and supports to adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
Services are individualized and person-centered. The intent is to assist each individual to live in the community in a setting most aligned with his/her preferences and those of his/her guardian, where applicable. Envision Unlimited accepts responsibility for providing directly, or by arrangements with other agencies or professionals, all necessary services for all individuals accepted for service.
For individuals living in apartment settings, efforts are made to vary support to allow greater independence, but also to see that needs are met and adequate support is supplied. Often needs for support vary with stressors in the individual's life or life span changes. Some individuals are able to live with family members when assisted with staff support. Others reside in small group homes supporting one to eight individuals. Host family settings are also available. Medication management and monitoring are provided to members.
For more information on community living options at Envision, contact Kharece Dean at 773.372.2334 or kdean@envisionunlimited.org.
“The staff gave me a lot of assistance to help me keep my own home in my community. I thank Envision for all they have done to support me over the years.”
– Mary (Julie) Bostic, Intermittent CILA Participant
Residential
Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) are residential programs designed to provide a natural family-like setting for eight or fewer individuals. People with varying degrees of disabilities participate in this program. Its focus is on the inclusion of individuals into their communities. Individuals in this program may receive continuous staff supports; the level of staff support may decrease as the residents grow more accustomed to living independently in the community. For more information on community living options at Envision, contact Kharece Dean at 773.372.2334 or kdean@envisionunlimited.org
24-Hour
Envision’s 24-Hour CILAs provide our members with the opportunity to live in a home setting with other individuals with I/DD across Chicagoland. These settings allow members to live in and be a part of their own communities. Although it is officially known as "Community Living," the people we support know it as "home."
Today, Envision manages 40 CILA homes throughout the Chicagoland area. Typically CILA homes are occupied by 8 or fewer housemates with staff support available 24 hours a day.
Intermittent
Intermittent CILAs are considered a residential alternative for persons who typically can live in their own homes with less than 24 hour support. In essence, a smaller number of individuals live together (usually one or two, but no more than three adults) in homes they either own or lease. Some individuals live with family members. These settings put more emphasis on individual choice and empowerment. Supports are provided according to the person's level of need.
Host Family
The Host Family Program enables adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) to live in the community in a private home with a family. This model is similar to foster care in which a family owns or rents a home and contracts with Envision Unlimited to provide housing and support in their home. No more than two individuals with I/DD and a total of six persons may live in the home. Envision Unlimited provides host families with. If you are interested in learning more about the program, you may contact Latonia Everett at 773.569.5159 or LEverett@envisionunlimited.org.
Short-Term Stabilization Homes
Envision operates two CILA homes in the southern suburbs of Chicago that are Short Term Stabilization Homes (SSH). This program serves individuals with behavioral challenges that have not been able to be stabilized, despite interventions to support them in their community. Individuals in SSH are typically in the home for no longer than 90 days. Referrals to the home come to Envision directly from the Illinois Department of Human Services and direct referrals cannot be accommodated. Potential participants would be identified typically from the Individual Service Coordination agency in the person's geographic area, in collaboration with staff from IDHS.
In-Home
The Home-Based Services/Self Directed Assistance (HBS/SDA) program is designed to enable persons to remain living in their family home while receiving services that support them to achieve their personal outcomes. The HBS/SDA program provides a monthly allocation that can be used to purchase services from authorized community agencies or to pay for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who are directed by the individual or his/her designee. HBS/SDA recipients are funding through the Home and Community Based waiver program and would be working with an Individual Service Coordinator from their geographic area. If an individual opts to purchase Self Direction Assistance, Envision Unlimited could provide this service. As an SDA provider, Envision staff would provide skills training to enable families to independently manage DSP staff, including the completion of timekeeping and other employee-related tasks. For more information regarding HBS/SDA or to make a referral, please contact Eileen Morrissey at 773-358-6941 or emorrissev@envisionunlimited.org.
In-home respite is intended to provide temporary relief to the families from their caregiving roles; to reduce the stress of the caregiver, thereby reducing the potential for crisis; to help maintain a person with I/DD in their home and reduce the need for long term supports and services. It allows families to engage in necessary daily activities, thus decreasing their feelings of isolation. Respite is typically provided in the family home and respite staff can be identified by the individual and their family; respite staff would also need to complete an application for employment with Envision, successfully pass a background check and complete training requirements. In-home respite is prioritized for individuals who are not receiving any other funded service.
For more information and to schedule an in-person appointment to discuss eligibility and complete all necessary paperwork, contact our Respite Coordinator at 773.899.6177 or respiteinfo@envisionunlimited.org.