Host Family Program

Three smiling people stand in front of a green background; the person on the left wears glasses, the person in the middle wears a blue top, and the person on the right wears a dark top.

Open Your Home and Change a Life

The Host Family Program at Envision Unlimited connects adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with caring families who provide a private, welcoming home in the community.

Similar to foster care, the Envision Unlimited Host Family Program pairs eligible Envision Unlimited adult members with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) with host families who provide a safe, stable place where individuals can build independence, develop relationships, and participate in their community.

Host Family Benefits

  • Ongoing training
  • A monthly stipend
  • An average of 20 hours of respite care per month, per member
  • Two weeks of paid vacation
  • 24-hour on-call support
  • Medication and medical management oversight
  • Members are enrolled in a day or work option during the week.

Interested in learning more about becoming a Host Family?

Contact Us: 773-569-5159 or email Leverett@envisionunlimited.org or IDDContactUs@envisionunlimited.org
Main Office: 18501 Maple Creek Dr. #500 Tinley Park, IL 60477
Office Hours: Mon-Fri – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Quote

Two people seated indoors, one in a headscarf and black jacket, the other in a red jacket with colorful pants.

“When he wants something, he’ll do it. He worked very, very hard to be where he is right now.”

— Mary Zornoza, Ernest’s host family mother

More Details

This family-style setting provides the opportunity for members to experience everyday routines and meaningful relationships. The preferences of both the member and host family are taken into consideration when matching a host family with an individual to ensure compatibility and long-term success.

If you’ve ever considered becoming a caregiver, mentor, or host family, this program provides the guidance and support to help you make a real difference. By becoming a host family, you help create belonging, independence, and community—while building a meaningful relationship that can last a lifetime.

Member Benefits:

  • Community-based living that provides a more personal, family-centered environment.
  • Individualized support tailored to the member’s interests and routines.
  • More independence by strengthening life skills.
  • Further development of one-on-one, long-standing relationships.

Host Family Home Criteria:

  • No more than six people in the home, including the host family member(s).
  • The home can host two members only when individual bedrooms are available.
  • Bedrooms must have a window, closet, and minimum of 75 sq. ft. per member.
  • The home should be clean, well-lit, ventilated and have one properly working full bathroom per every four people.
  • People in the home over 16 Y.O. must pass a background check at time of licensure and annually.
  • Host must have at least a GED or high school diploma and be eligible for placement on the DSP Registry in IL.
  • Pass an inspection by the Office of State Fire Marshall to ensure proper safety features, as well as a successful evaluation from the Bureau of Accreditation Certification and Licensure from the State of IL.

Section title