Cornerstone Services, Inc. - Helping people with disabilities every day.

Residential Services

What's it like in one of Cornerstone's homes?
The home itself is like any other house in a residential area. The two main differences are that there are more bedrooms than a typical residence and the house is staffed with qualified Cornerstone employees. Otherwise you'd never know it wasn't like any other house on the block.

Under careful supervision, clients may learn daily living skills like cooking, keeping their home clean, and doing laundry. There's plenty of structured activity as well as leisure time.

Most clients sleep and live in the home, but spend their day at one of Cornerstone's day programs where they can work, learn and grow.

How do I start services?
Each county in Illinois has an agency that has been entrusted to evaluate and qualify an adult with a developmental disability for services that Cornerstone Services can provide.

Where do I call or go?
In Will County, the agency is Service of Will, Grundy and Kankakee Counties, Inc. You can call them at 815.741.0800

Who will I talk to?
When you call, you'll speak with an intake person and give them information on the individual you are seeking service for.

What should I expect as part of the process?
Each individual is different and has attended different school and has different diagnosis. You should expect to meet with an intake working, provide educational information, medical information and psychiatric information (if any). Using that information, the intake worker will assist in finding the services you are looking for.

How much does becoming qualified and the subsequent services cost?
To work with the county agency to become qualified for services does not cost anything. If there are additional assessments needed, they may be a cost associated with them. The State of Illinois and the Division of Developmental Disabilities can be asked to assist in payment of services for qualification for service.

How are services paid for?
The State of Illinois may contribute to the individual's budget and the individual generally uses their Social Security benefits and their Medicaid and Link benefits. Cornerstone staff can assist clients and families with securing these benefits.

For Children
What requirements must be met in order for my child to receive services?
In order to qualify for 24-hour residential services, a child must be
   diagnosed with a developmental disability
   between ages 14-20, with plans to transition to adult services no later than the 21st birthday.
   funded by DHS/DDD

Local PAS agents are the responsible entity for screening candidates for DHS/DDD funding under the Children’s Residential Waiver. Services cannot begin until funding is approved or transferred and an appropriate opening is available.

If your child requires a higher level of care than we provide, we can assist you in working with a local PAS agent to secure an appropriate referral.

What is the home like?
Each boy has his own bedroom. There is a common living and dining area, kitchen, 2-3 bathrooms and a partially finished basement with storage closets for each resident. The staff office is also located in the home. Group homes are situated in residential neighborhoods and are nearly impossible to distinguish from non-group homes. Our goal is to give each resident a fully community integrated living experience.

How do I know my child will be safe in the home?
Staff take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. Outside doors are kept locked and have alarms. The alarms are in place to provide an audio cue that someone has entered or exited the home. Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and a sprinkler system are also in place. Safety drills are run each month with all residents. The backyard is large, fenced and has locking gates. Staff are trained in First Aid and CPR, as well as non-violent Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI). There are always at least two staff members on shift at any given time, with additional staff on shift during busy times and days off of school.

Cornerstone follows staffing regulations set forth by DCFS and DHS. All staff complete criminal background checks, fingerprinting and driving record checks prior to be hired. Staff also complete 120 hours of the on-the-job training before working individually with the residents. Overnight staff members are awake and alert at all times. No staff are allowed to sleep at anytime while on shift.

What types of activities do you do with the children? What is an average day like?
While each resident’s daily routine will have some variation, most weekdays run similarly due to the residents’ school schedules. In general, the residents start their days with beginning their morning hygiene routines and eating breakfast together. Hygiene routines are finished, school bags and lunches are packed and residents are transported to their respective schools by school buses. Upon returning home, the boys are invited to have a snack. Those who have homework are assisted by staff with completion of it; those without homework have free time to engage in their chosen activities. Additionally, staff will assist the boys in working on a variety of personalized programs and household chores. This may include working on budgets, doing laundry, learning home maintenance skills, or any other activities or program goals the boys need to work on. Dinner is prepared by staff and residents and the residents eat together. After dinner, there are multiple options. Additional free time is one option and residents can engage in activities with each other, read or be read to, work on puzzles or any other number of activities. Additionally, regular in-home activities are scheduled and include activities such as arts and crafts, movie nights and dessert nights. Community socialization activities are also planned during the week and on weekends and include (but are not limited to) visits to the YMCA, bowling, visits to the library, going out for dinner, shopping and weather-appropriate outdoor activities. During the holiday season, residents are invited to participate in seasonally appropriate activities, such as going to the pumpkin farm, residential parties where families can join in for dinner and activities, Christmas parties and other community-based celebrations.

What happens if my child becomes ill or is injured?
Illnesses and injuries can and do happen. Minor illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening and non-emergent (i.e. common cold, scraped knee after a fall outside) are managed by staff and the nurse, and medical attention is sought when needed. First aid and injury reports, medical visit reports and medication administration reports are completed as required and universal precautions are used to avoid the spread of infection. In the event of a serious illness or injury that requires immediate medical care, a visit to the emergency room and/or hospitalization or transportation to the hospital via ambulance, the parents/guardians, the case manager, nurse and coordinator are immediately notified. Staff will accompany the resident to the hospital and stay with him until further instruction is given from the nurse, coordinator or director of the program.

Am I allowed to visit my child?
Yes! Parents/guardians are encouraged to visit their children as often as possible. Many residents go home with their families for weekends and holidays, as well as family vacations. Visits may also occur in the home and families are encouraged to visit their children anytime they wish.