START Program
Supporting Treatment and Recovery Together
Program Description
START is a specialized psychosocial rehabilitation program supporting people with an intellectual or developmental disability AND a mental illness. A Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) program supports people in developing the skills to manage their mental illness, socialize with others and decrease reliance on professional supports. PSR groups focus on developing coping techniques for symptom management and increasing personal growth skills through on-site educational groups. PSR also offers community support services that focus on community integration to generalize skills with support from staff within a community setting.
- Consumers participate in this program for three months or more as a support to their traditional day program services.
- Programming runs Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm.
- Groups offered include Health and Wellness, Symptom Management, Independent Living, and Socialization.
- Consumers are encouraged to participate in weekly individual therapy.
- PACE riders need to schedule their rides to arrive around 8:30am and to be picked up after 2:30pm. It is important that consumers are present and involved in each and every group we have scheduled throughout the day.
Program Highlights
- As part of our Health and Wellness group, we have scheduled a volunteer to come in with her therapy dog.* Lenore and Jacques have attended Sertoma for the past year and will be a wonderful addition to our new program. Jacques is a 7-year-old, non-shedding, small-sized poodle who has been trained and certified as a therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
- We incorporate a token store into our treatment program. Consumers earn points for active participation in programming and use their points to make purchases of a wide range of items — from essentials to fun items on their wish lists.
- Expressive approaches to treatment include art therapy and other expressive experiences as an alternative to talk therapy when needed.
*Please make us aware of any allergies or other barriers to interacting with the dog, so we can accommodate as needed.
“It helped me in a good way because it helped me feel better about myself.”
“Going to groups and individual help me to relax and feel better.”
Admission Criteria
In order to be eligible for our psychosocial rehabilitation program, a person must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be diagnosed with a mental illness AND an intellectual/developmental disability
- Have an active medical benefit card from Medicaid
- Not require 24-hour medical supervision
- Give informed consent to participate in service
- Have the ability to self-medicate, if medications are taken during program hours
Other Supports
- Support with coordinating transportation to and from appointments
- Case management support for housing, benefits and other community resources
- Community outings to generalize skills with staff support
- Access to a 24/7 consumer support line
- Quarterly onsite psychiatric appointments
- Employment services are available for people with a desire to work.
Location
4343 W. 123rd Street
Alsip, IL 60803
Contact Information
For more information, contact the Intake Department
IntakeCMHC@sertomacentre.org or
708-748-1951 ext. 455