Everyone has ideas about what makes a house a home—paint color, family photos, furniture, or friendly neighbors. People living in LSSI’s nine homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a team of staff who address their physical and emotional needs while promoting their independence so they can feel at home and part of the community.
“Our greatest goal is for the residents to have the best possible quality of life through the programs we offer at our homes,” said Jackie Baker, Program Director for Fox Trail and Fox Hill Group Homes in Aurora. “We want them to feel part of their community.”
LSSI advocates for adults with developmental disabilities, promoting independence in daily living, community integration, medication management, and economic self-sufficiency for residents. These programs served 145 people last year.
Residents attend community day services and participate in community activities. They receive wrap-around supports to meet their individual needs. These homes are in Aurora, Beardstown, Chicago, Dixon, Homer Glen, Sterling, and Stockton.
LSSI’s Fox Hill, Dixon, and Washington Place (in Beardstown) Group Homes serve adults with Prader-Willi syndrome, a complex genetic condition that causes a chronic feeling of hunger. People with this condition can literally overeat to the point of death. To survive, they need supervision and help to control their eating and manage their weight. LSSI is one of the few providers in Illinois offering services for adults with Prader-Willi.
LSSI’s Fox Trail Home, Aurora, serves three adult residents with Autism, with 24/7 staff.
LSSI’s Shady Oaks Residential Facility in Homer Glen is an intermediate care facility providing supportive housing for 32 adults at two houses. Staff are available 24/7 to help with bathing, shaving, eating, dressing, and dispensing medications. They manage clients’ wheelchairs, communicative devices, and other adaptive equipment.
“Everyone pitches in to build a community,” said Folake Durodola, Program Director, Artesian and Palmer Square Group Homes, Chicago. “We make it feel like a home.”
