For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who can live independently outside of a group home setting, LSSI offers an Intermittent Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) program in Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties.

Adults who live in Intermittent CILAs have their own home, living independently, but with assistance from LSSI staff based on their individual needs. This can range from helping a client find an apartment, assisting with personal finance, medication, or social skills coaching.

Other challenges could be an adult not being able to read numbers or tell time. LSSI Intermittent CILA program staff have a “creativity is necessary” approach. They work with each client’s individual needs and goals for success to devise ways to assist them. Staff help clients overcome obstacles that enable them to use a stove or leave for work on time. Working with clients to achieve these goals helps them to continue living independently.

The Intermittent CILA program highlights LSSI’s whole person care approach, considering an individual’s unique needs, hopes, and dreams.

“The Intermittent CILA program really helps clients pursue their individual goals and be part of their community,” said Terra Dempsey, Associate Executive Director of LSSI’s Disability Services. “We help them live their vision of how they want to live.”