Community Day Services is a daytime program where people with disabilities come for different kinds of engagement. We provide options that align with a consumer’s individual needs and interests. Every day, consumers in our programs achieve personal victories through their experiences at Sertoma Star Services.

Person-Centered Service

Community Day Services delivers Person-Centered Service by aligning activities with the needs and interests of a consumer. This is achieved through an interview process called the Personnel Outcome Measure, developed by our accreditor CQL. This interview discusses everything from human security to goals to safety. We work with individuals to identify quality of life outcomes and to build supports based on those outcomes. Our goal is to learn and support an individual’s choices and preferences and to support them to be as independent as possible.

Day Services programming occurs in various community locations. Sertoma Star Services is setting the trend for getting consumers into the community on a regular basis. Programming is more than just daily field trips. It incorporates essential life and vocational skills, socialization, independence, and feeling like a person first.

Program Highlights

  • Coordinated case management provided by Qualified Intellectual Disability Professionals (QIDP)
  • Support from contractual Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) available
  • Participation in activities, programs, and events that focus on engagement in the community
  • Opportunities to transition to other services are available based on needs and preferences
  • Available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in Alsip and Chicago Heights

Supportive Decision Making

To assist consumers in making informed decisions and building confidence, we utilize a method known as The 3 Es: Education, Experience, and Exposure.

  • Education involves helping individuals explore their interests and learn new or enhance existing skills
    Example: Researching creating a garden
  • Experience provides opportunities to understand an activity through observation and real-world learning.
    Example: Visiting a garden center or class on gardening
  • Exposure involves allowing the individual to participate in the chosen activity at a level that is comfortable and aligns with their personal goals.
    Example: Joining a gardening club or volunteering at a community garden

Our mission is to change the limits, challenge the way things used to be, and be a part of creating opportunities and a future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that is fully community inclusive.

For more information, contact Intake Coordinator Deanna Wetzel at intake@sertomastar.org or 708-300-8527.