Garden Center Services
CONSUMER HANDBOOK

Welcome

Garden Center Services helps people to live and work where they choose with the help they need. We support people who need a lot of help and people who just need a little help. Someone might want our services to help them brush their teeth. Someone else might want help learning how to cook spaghetti. Another person may want to learn how to help them get their dream job.

We think we have the best staff available for you. We work hard to hire friendly and positive staff who truly care about their jobs and the people they support. Please take some time to get to know them.

Please keep this handbook as something that will help you learn about Garden Center Services. After learning about Garden Center and having a tour, I hope that you decide to join our program. Our staff will do their best to help you find out what kind of supports you think you need so you can reach the goals that you have chosen for yourself.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at

(773) 941-4151 ext 201.

Sincerely,

Gerry Beagles
Executive Director
Garden Center Services

MISSION STATEMENT

A mission statement tells you what our goal is.

Garden Center’s mission statement or goal says:

Garden Center Services is committed to advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.

This means we want you to have good relationships with the people around you. We want you to be a valued member of your community, and be able to work/volunteer or participate in other ways that are important to you.

We want you to know you can speak up about what you want and what you don’t want. We want you to know what your choices are so you can make good decisions about your life and reach your goals – maybe even things you never thought you could accomplish on your own!

Garden Center Services will work hard to provide you the best services possible. In order to do that, we strive to make sure you learn all you can about choices in your life and can make choices yourself. We also work hard to help you establish a network of people that will support you and be there for you – some may be from Garden Center and some may be from the community.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

COMMUNITY DAY SERVICES (CDS)

Garden Center Services is pleased to offer the following services to adults with disabilities.

In our classrooms, work areas, and community-based settings, individuals can focus on personal goals related to job skills, life skills enhancement, or work-for-pay opportunities. To accomplish this, Garden Center has invested in the development of a professionally designed, engaging curriculum that draws on the interests and input of our participants.

Garden Center’s community day service program is located at 8333 S. Austin Ave. in Burbank, IL.

TRANSPORTATION

If you do not live in a Garden Center home, you are encouraged to use PACE transportation, or make other arrangements to get to and from the day program. We will reimburse you for PACE transportation.

CDS TOPIC AREAS

The CDS programs centers around five topics:

Better Living

This category includes skills that will help you live as much on your own as you want to and are able. The library, shopping, grooming, cooking, communication and out-to-lunch programs are examples of training activities in this category.

Fun Fantastic Fitness© Program

This category includes activities that will help you keep healthy and have fun. Low impact aerobics and walking are examples of this program. Consumers may utilize our onsite facility or facilities in the community.

Recreation/Leisure

This category includes helping you find a hobby or choose activities that will be enjoyable for you to do in your spare time. Parties, trips, community outings, movies, gardening and arts & crafts are some examples.

Supported Employment

This category includes paid work, volunteering, and groups to help you develop the work habits, attitudes, and skills you will need to meet the goals you have in mind in this area.

Personal Safety

Classes in this area help you to make good decisions about your personal safety like Self-Advocacy (including our Advocacy Group – The Dream Team), sex education, and internet safety.

GENERAL DAY PROGRAM INFORMATION

Choosing What You Want

Your QHSP (Qualified Human Service Professional) will work with you to help you choose the activities and groups that you want to participate in to match the goals that you have. This will happen about once per year during your Person Centered Planning meeting. Other people who may be invited to attend this meeting include your guardian, parent(s), family members, and staff from Garden Center Services and other agencies, which work with you. In addition, you might have some other people you’d like to attend as well. At this meeting, your program goals and progress will be discussed, along with areas you will be focusing on in the future.

Your input is very important and strongly encouraged at your annual meeting. Your input regarding your goals, objectives, training, worksite, and the staff with whom you work is the driving force in the development of your plan.

If you decide you are interested in other activities or groups after your annual meeting, you don’t have to wait a whole year to tell someone! Contact your QHSP to talk about your ideas at any time.

Satisfaction

In addition to the importance of your input in your Person Centered Planning meetings, Garden Center Services values your thoughts and ideas regarding how you think we’re doing.

Regularly, Garden Center issues a Satisfaction Survey to every participant/guardian, workshop sub-contractor, and other stakeholders, as applicable. This survey gives people an opportunity to tell us how well they feel we are doing in providing services to people. You DO NOT have to put your name on the survey in order to tell us how you feel.

Also, you will have additional opportunities including regular membership meetings held at Garden Center. Another opportunity includes Garden Center’s Advisory Board. This board is comprised of people receiving services and this is a forum where you can voice your problems and find solutions. For dates and times of these meetings, contact your QHSP.

In addition, Garden Center has a Care and Concern Hotline that you can call or text to make confidential suggestions or to report a concern. The Garden Center Care and Concern Hotline number is 708-398-6524.

If you have any ideas for making Garden Center Services better, we would love to talk to you! Contact your QHSP. He/she is your main source of contact.

Weather Closings

In rare cases of bad weather (excessive snow, extreme cold, power outages, and/or when driving conditions would be dangerous), Garden Center’s Day Programs may be closed. If this happens, visit www.emergencyclosingcenter.com to check Garden Center’s open/closed status.

Lunch Break

You will need to bring your own lunch and snacks with you each day. If your food needs to be kept cold, a refrigerator is available for you to store your lunch. We only have a few microwaves. It is a good idea to bring a lunch that doesn’t need to be heated if you can. Lunch break is 45 minutes long. We have vending machines that offer diet pop, juices and water.

Telephone

There are no public telephones at the community day service building. If you need to make a call, phones are located in each program room.

Attendance

If you cannot come to work due to an illness, or some other serious matter, we ask that you call your QHSP. If they cannot be reached then you should call either your DSP/Instructor or the Program Manager.

If You Are Sick

If you have diarrhea, vomiting, or a temperature above 100.3 degrees, please do not come into the program for 24 hours.

If you have cold symptoms, you may be asked to wear a mask.

If you test positive for COVID, you must stay home from program for at least 5 days.

Holidays

The following holidays are granted to all, regardless of length of employment:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
4^th of July
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day & the day following Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Conduct

Being part of our program involves acting in a professional manner. That would include treating others the way you would want to be treated; with respect and kindness at all times.

While at the community day service program:

Hand shaking is ok, hand holding is not
Brief hugs are ok as long as it is ok with the receiver
No back rubs
No touching or rubbing of any body parts that would typically be covered by a swimsuit. These are considered private areas.
Kissing is not okay while at the program
If you have any questions about this, please let your QHSP or Program Director know. If you observe any interactions that seem inappropriate, please immediately let your manager, the QHSP or Program Director know.

Dress Code

While at the Day Program we ask that you dress appropriately for work. The following are not permissible under the dress code:

Shorts and skirts must be knee-length or longer.
Any apparel messages that may be offensive
Large hoop or dangling earrings
Low cut, or revealing blouses
Strapless tops or spaghetti straps
Flip flops

Case Records

You have a case record that is kept by your QHSP. Your medical records, plans, results of assessments, and referral information are kept in this file. This information is confidential. We do not share it with others unless you or your guardian has given written permission. (Under certain circumstances, a Court may order us to share it for a specific reason). If you ever want to see your case record, please tell your QHSP. The Agency may provide someone to go over your case record with you, to make sure you understand what is written and to give you the opportunity to ask questions.

Medications

While attending the Day Program, it is important that your QHSP be told about any medications you are taking for any reason. If you are supposed to take medication while attending the program, staff can remind you to take your medication but they are not allowed to actually give you your medications.

You are expected to follow doctor’s orders. This includes taking your medication and keeping medical appointments. Your QHSP will provide you with a physical and dental form annually.

Garden Center Services will keep information about all of your medication on file. Please tell your QHSP about any changes that are made to your medications or medical treatment as soon as possible.

Garden Center staff members are not allowed to give out or sell aspirin or any other non-prescription medication.

Illness

In case of an emergency or illness, you may need to go home to rest and get better. Please make sure that the emergency phone number you have given to the Garden Center is correct and working. Also, please let us know if the emergency contact telephone number changes.

Outside Appointments & Visitors

If you have any special activities or appointments that will change how you usually spend your day, please tell your QHSP as soon as possible.

You may have visitors at Community Day Services. All visitors must check-in at the front desk with the receptionist.

Community Involvement

GCS staff work hard to make sure you have the opportunity to be involved in your community. Staff will help you assess your interests when your plan is created and at least annually after that or more often if you like. GCS also holds regular meetings at home and at Community Day Services where we discuss ideas and choices for increased community involvement. Some options may include: volunteering, employment, social clubs, and leisure activities.

GCS works to match you with staff who have similar interests if possible. GCS staff will transport you to activities and/or help you access public transportation or transportation services.

RESIDENTIAL LIVING SERVICES

Environment Types

Intermediate Care Facility

Garden Center Services has three Residential Living Service environments for persons with disabilities. The Intermediate Care Facility is a home where people live who need a lot of help. There are more staff working there than in our other programs. It’s a larger house with fifteen people living there. Nursing and other medical staff are readily available at this house.

Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA)

The ten Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) houses are for people who don’t need quite as much help.

Intermittent CILA

Through Intermittent CILA, an individual can receive services while living in his/her home with family or on their own.

RESIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Residency Agreement

Garden Center will have a residency agreement with each person who lives in a Garden Center home. The residency agreement is a document that explains your rights and responsibilities for living in your new home.

Financial

You have the right to control your financial resources. Garden Center will work with you, your guardian if you have one, and your caseworker to see what kind of help you might need and come up with a plan on how to best support you. That may include providing you training on how to keep a wallet, monitor your account balance, or pay bills. Garden Center can be your representative payee for your SS/SSI if you require that service. In the event that Garden Center is your representative payee, Garden Center will send you and your guardian (if you have one) quarterly reports regarding your financial account.

Garden Center provides a number of things for people who live in Garden Center homes. For example, phone and internet services are available at each site at no additional cost to residents. There are also some residential needs that you are required to pay for.

What you are expected to purchase:

Bedroom furniture
Sheets and towels
Some pharmacy bills, dental bills, and other medical bills/expenses that are not covered by Medicaid
Basic cable is provided in the common area; however there is an annual cost if cable is wanted in the bedrooms. If an individual wants a full cable package it will be at an additional cost to them.

If you need to be hospitalized

If you live in Garden Center’s residential program and need to be hospitalized, your family and the hospital staff will staff your hospital room. Garden Center staff are not able to stay with you in the hospital because they need to be with residents in the home.

Bedrooms, Roommates, and Privacy

Garden Center makes every effort for each individual to have their own bedroom, however, due to state funding a single bedroom may have to be turned into a double. Garden Center will work to give you choice in your room and roommate (if you will have one). You will be asked at your annual meeting, and at other times as things change and/or issues arise, if you are satisfied with your room and roommate. You can ask to have a different roommate and/or room at any time.

Managing Roommate/Housemate Conflict

If you have conflict with your roommate/housemates, Garden Center staff will work with you and your roommate/ housemates to help you solve the issue in a way that works for everyone.

If you feel you have been treated unfairly, you may follow Garden Center’s Grievance/Complaint Process to address your concern.

Privacy

Whether you are in a room by yourself or you have a roommate, Garden Center will ensure your privacy by making sure you can easily close, lock/unlock your door as you wish. The only people who may have a key/code to unlock your door (besides your roommate) are your support staff who might need to enter in case of emergency.

Staff will always knock before entering your room and wait for you to invite them in if you are able – unless there is an emergency. For example, staff may enter the room without knocking/waiting for your response if you are too ill to let them in or if staff need to assist you to evacuate the building because of an emergency.

Privacy during personal care supports

If you have a roommate, staff will ask that person to leave the room if you need personal assistance like with changing clothes, or cleaning your body, taking body weights, etc. If your roommate declines to leave, staff can assist you with these things in the bathroom or in your room with a privacy screen depending on what you prefer.

Privacy in the bathroom

GCS staff will support only one person at a time in the bathroom and bathroom doors will always be kept closed when someone is using the bathroom.

Personalization

Garden Center will help each person to decorate their bedroom/personal space and have input on the decoration of common areas in the home.

Dating & Relationships

We do our best to foster/encourage the development of relationships. Individuals that want to pursue dating will receive education and support.

Every person has a right to form romantic relationships with others as well as to express their sexuality in ways that do not infringe on the rights of others. Garden Center will provide sex education and support to those who want this training.

Transportation

Garden Center will work with you to make sure your transportation needs are met. This may include using the vehicle that is assigned to the home you live in, the assistance of other staff or family, PACE service, taxis, or rideshare options.

Medical Supports

Garden Center’s medical staff support individuals who live in Garden Center’s residential program. Garden Center’s medical staff will work with your personal medical staff to ensure your medical needs are met. If you leave the CILA or ICF for a family visit, you must follow any medical regimens in your family home exactly as you would at Garden Center.

If you are interested in learning to take your medication on your own, our medical staff will work with you to help you learn how to take your medicine. You will also need to go through a process that shows state representatives you can take your own medicine with no problems.

Meals

We want you to enjoy the meals at your home and help plan what those meals will be. If foods are served that you do not like, staff will work to provide alternatives that are more to your taste.

Visitors & Guests

Garden Center does not have visiting hours for our homes. You may have visitors come and go as you wish. Visitors are expected to follow Garden Center policies when visiting in regard to respecting privacy and property of your housemates and not bringing illegal drugs or weapons on the property.

If your visitors creates issues with your housemates, Garden Center staff will help facilitate a meeting with you and your housemates and guardian if applicable to come to an agreeable solution.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Health & Safety

To keep from passing on diseases, it is important that you wash your hands well after using the washroom and before eating. We ask that you respect the COVID mitigation efforts which may include isolating in your room if you’re positive for COVID 19. You may also be asked to wear a mask in common areas if you have cold symptoms.

Illegal drugs, alcohol, and weapons are NOT ALLOWED on Garden Center Services’ property.

If you smoke, please remember that it is only allowed outside in the designated area only.

Everyone is expected to participate in safety drills and evacuations. If an evacuation drill occurs, please follow Garden Center staff instructions. (There is no smoking during a drill).

Tell your staff about anything you see that is unsafe right away.

If you hurt yourself, tell the nearest staff member immediately, even if it is only a “little” cut or scrape. You will be given first aid before going back to the training or work you were doing. Also, if another consumer hurts himself/herself, tell staff right away. DO NOT try to give first aid yourself. All staff members working directly with consumers have been trained in First Aid and CPR.

Internet Access & Safety

Garden Center has internet services in each home and day service building. If you would like to use internet services, you will receive training on internet safety and avoiding risks like scams and illegal internet activities.

Access of Garden Center internet on any device (including your own) must not violate the law.

Monthly Meetings

Garden Center holds monthly meetings at our community day services programs and in each home. This is a time to plan upcoming activities you may wish to be involved in, meals, and even decorations for holidays. It is also a time to bring up any issues or concerns you may have.

Person Centered Planning

Garden Center staff will help you develop a plan for how we can support you to reach your personal goals and express your individuality. Your plan will be updated at least annually at your planning meeting and more often if needed.

Personal Interactions

You have the right to choose who you interact with. If you don’t like who you live/work with, Garden Center will work with you, your guardian if you have one, and your QHSP to try to come up with a living/work situation that you like. If Garden Center cannot come up with a living/work situation that you like, Garden Center will help you contact your QHSP who will give you information and support to find another program that may have living/work arrangements you would prefer.

If you don’t like your assigned staff, Garden Center will work to address your concerns and improve the relationship

between you and your staff. If attempts to improve the relationship between you and your staff don’t work, we will consider reassigning another staff to work with you.

If you feel you have been treated unfairly, you may call or text the Garden Center Care and Concern Hotline at 708-398-6524 OR follow Garden Center’s Grievance/Complaint Process (explained later in this book) to address your concern.

Communication Support

Every person has a right and basic human need to be able to communicate with other people. Garden Center will support you with equipment, supplies, and training, if needed, to help you communicate with others effectively.

Rights and Self Advocacy

You have rights. This handbook lists many of your rights. Garden Center will provide you with training to help you understand those rights and ways you can advocate for yourself.

Garden Center has a Self-Advocacy group, The Dream Team, that meets regularly at Garden Center’s Community Day Service program. They discuss rights and how to make sure your needs are met and your rights are respected. They also attend an annual meeting with other Self-Advocacy groups across the state to discuss these topics. If you would like to join The Dream Team, let your DSP know.

Rarely, one of your rights may temporarily be modified in order to provide the best support to you. If Garden Center staff believe that any of your rights might need to be temporarily modified to protect your health and safety, they would discuss it with you and your guardian if you have one. The modification would also have to be approved by Garden Center’s Human Rights Committee and would have a plan for when the restriction would end to restore your full rights as soon as possible.

DISCHARGE FROM PROGRAM

Discharge of an individual may occur due to:

Individual’s desire to stop participation
The individual’s physical disability or medical condition which places the individual in danger or;
Maladaptive behavior that places the individual or others in serious danger.

If Garden Center decides to discharge you from the program, you may appeal that decision with the assistance of your Individual Service Coordinator.

GARDEN CENTER STAFF

Background Checks

In compliance with the Health Care Worker Background Check Act and the requirements of the Department of Public Health Nurse Registry, Garden Center Services conducts a criminal background, driver’s license, and Nurse Registry check on all employees. In addition, each employee has successfully completed our comprehensive staff-training program.

Community Support Services Staff and Qualifications

Note: Qualifications listed are the minimum requirements for hiring persons for that position. Many staff have qualifications which exceed the requirements for their positions. If you are unclear of the qualifications of a staff member that is working with you, you are encouraged to ask.

Direct Support Professional (DSP): A DSP is a direct service staff. They must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.

Community Day Services Program Manager: The Community Day Services Program Manager has a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. Three years of related experience is required.

Qualified Human Service Professional (QHSP): A QHSP must have a college degree in social services or a related field. In addition, one or more years of experience working with adults with developmental disabilities is also required.

Director of Community Day Services & Director of CILA Services: The Director of Community Day Services / Director of CILA Services has a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Social Work, High School Education, or Business is preferred for this position.

Executive Director: The Director has, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. A Master’s degree is preferred. At least three years of experience in directing services for individuals with disabilities is required. Knowledge of CARF standards, Department of Labor regulations, and DHS funding process is essential.

These positions require that a criminal background check be conducted. For positions, which include driving, a current Illinois driver’s license is required.

GRIEVANCE/ COMPLAINT PROCESS

You are encouraged to make suggestions to staff about changes you would like to see at Garden Center. You can tell these ideas to your QHSP or Advisory Board President. You can also write them down and give them to your DSP/Instructor, QHSP, Manager of Community Day Services, or the Director. In addition, you can call or text the Garden Center Care and Concern Hotline (708-398-6524) to share your suggestion/concern confidentially OR follow Garden Center’s Grievance/Complaint Process (explained below).

A procedure has been put in place to use if you think you have been treated unfairly or that your rights have been violated. You can ask a staff member to help you use this process. You will not be punished for making a complaint. Talk to your DSP/Instructor first. Do this right away. If doing this does not take care of the problem, then start the following steps as soon as possible so that a solution can be found quickly.

STEP 1

Your DSP/Instructor will assist you to write your complaint (if you need help) and send it to your QHSP within three (3) working days. If you don’t want to ask your DSP/Instructor for help in writing, go directly to your QHSP.

The QHSP will meet with you and give you an answer to your complaint within two (2) working days. If you are satisfied, the process is finished. If you are not satisfied, move to Step 2.

STEP 2

Schedule a meeting with the Program Manager. The meeting will be scheduled with you, the Program Director, and staff who can help you explain the complaint if you need help. This meeting will be scheduled within three (3) working days. You will receive an answer within two (2) working days of the meeting. If you are satisfied, the process is finished. If you are not satisfied, move to Step 3.

STEP 3

Verbally request a meeting with the Associate Executive Director. A meeting with the Associate Executive Director (or someone he/she appoints) will be scheduled within three (3) working days. You will receive an answer within two (2) working days of the meeting. If you are satisfied, the process is finished. If you are not satisfied, move to Step 4.

STEP 4

Send your written complaint to the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee. Staff will help you in writing your complaint and requesting the meeting. The review of your complaint will take place at the next regularly scheduled Human Rights Committee meeting. You will receive a response within two (2) working days after the meeting. If you are satisfied, the process is finished. If you are not satisfied, move to Step 5.

STEP 5

You may submit your complaint for review by an Individual Service Coordinator. The Program Director will provide you with a name, address, and telephone number to send your complaint as a final step in this process.

RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS

The following is a list of some of your rights under the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and other laws. This form uses plain English instead of the legal terms in the laws that create these rights. If you have a specific question about your rights or when your rights may be restricted, you should talk to a lawyer or contact the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. You have other appeal rights if an Agency stops providing services or reduces your services.

Retention of Rights

You maintain all of your legal and civil rights while receiving services.

Non-Discrimination

You have the right to be treated fairly without regard to your sex, race, religion, ethnic background, handicapped condition, national origin, age or financial standing.

Humane Care and Services Plan

You have a right to good and humane care, services in the least restrictive environment and an individual service plan.

Abuse or Neglect

You have the right to be free from abuse or neglect. If you think someone has treated you badly, you should tell someone you trust so that the problem can be taken care of. Any incidents of abuse or neglect shall be reported to the Inspector General of the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, or the Department of State Police for investigation.

Restraints

Restraints may be used only to protect you from physically harming yourself or others, or as a part of a medical/surgical procedure that has been approved by you or your guardian (if you have one), and only under the supervision of a properly qualified professional.

Seclusion

The use of seclusion shall not be permitted.

Confidentiality

Personal information about you and the services you receive is private and may be shared with someone else only if allowed by the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Act.

Mail/Phone Call/Visits

You have the right to communicate with other people in private, without staff stopping you or making it hard to do. Restrictions can only be in place if there is intimidation, harassment or other harm coming to you or others. Ongoing restrictions must be approved by the Human Right Committee.

Property

You have the right to receive, possess, and use personal property unless it is determined that certain items are harmful to you or others. When you stop receiving services from an agency, all lawful property must be returned to you.

Money

You may use your money as you choose, unless you are prohibited from doing so under a court guardianship order.

Banking

You may deposit your money at a bank or place it for safekeeping with the service provider. If the service provider deposits your money, any interest earned will be yours.

Neither the service provider nor any of its employees may act as payee to receive any assistance directed to you, including Social Security and pension, annuity, or trust fund payments without your informed consent.[/responsivevoice]

Labor

You must be paid for work you are asked to perform which benefits the service provider; however, you may be required to do personal housekeeping chores without being paid.

Refusing Services

You or your guardian (on your behalf) have the right to refuse services, including medication. In general, when services are refused, they will not be given to you unless there is some medical or other emergency or unless a judge has said so.

Medical and Dental Services

Except in an emergency, no medical or dental services will be provided to you without the informed consent of you or your guardian. You have the right to purchase and use the services of private physicians and other professionals of your choice. Your choice will be in your service plan.

Service Planning

You have the right to participate in the development of your own individualized service plan.

Meetings

You have a right to participate in any team meeting about you.

Discharge

You have a right to continue to receive services unless you voluntarily withdraw or you meet the criteria for discharge from services. You have the right to terminate services at any time.

Grievances

You have a right to express grievances in writing to the chief of the agency providing your services. Some decisions by the agency (such as denial, reduction, suspension, termination of services) may be appealed to the Department of Human Services and/or to the Department of Public Aid.

Clinical Records

You have a right to look at your clinical record and other information about you.

Right of Information about the Service Provider

You have the right to know if the service provider is not meeting quality standards and to look at written survey reports describing the quality of the services.

Exercise your Rights

You shall not be denied, suspended from, or terminated from services or have services reduced for filing a grievance or for exercising any of your rights.

Restriction of Rights

If your rights are restricted, the person who is responsible for your services must discuss with you, your parents if you are under eighteen, and your guardian if one has been appointed. In addition, the service provider must tell all persons or agencies that you choose to have told about the restriction. The reasons the restriction is needed will be written in your individual record. Ways for the restriction to be lifted will be discussed as well.

Reporting

You have the right to report any infringements of your rights to the Human Rights Committee at your agency, the Individual Service and Support Advocacy (ISSA) agencies, the Department of Human Services, the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, or to Equip for Equality. You also have the right to report any abuse or neglect to the Office of the Inspector General.

GUARDIANSHIP AND ADVOCACY

Support Agency List

The following is a list of agencies that will assist you with complaints that you might have. Some of these agencies will also help if there are people who are treating you badly or unfairly in the community or at your place of work. If you need help contacting any of the following agencies, your QHSP can help you.

Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
State of Illinois Building
160 North LaSalle, Suite S-500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 793-5900

Office of State Guardian

P.O. Box 7009

Hines, Illinois 60141-7009

(708) 338-7500

Equip for Equality

20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300

Chicago, Illinois 60602

312-341-0022

1-800-537-2632

TTY 1-800-610-2779

Website: www.equipforequality.org

Office of Inspector General-Community Investigations

Madden Mental Health Center

1200 S. 1^st Avenue, Pavilion 12

Hines, Illinois 60141

(708) 338-7191

Suburban Access, Inc. (ISSA if you live in the suburbs)

4415 W. Harrison, Suite 410

Hillside, Illinois 60162

(708) 449-7257

Community Service Options (ISSA if you live in Chicago)

7575 South Kostner Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60652

(773) 884-1000

The ARC of Illinois

18207-A Dixie Highway

Homewood, Illinois 60430

(708) 206-1930

Illinois Life Span

1-800-588-7002

www.illinoislifespan.org

Human Rights Committee Chairperson

Garden Center Services

8333 South Austin

Burbank, IL 60459

(708) 636-0054

Other Agencies of Interest

Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services
Oak Park Office
1100 Lake Street, Suite 145
Oak Park, Illinois 60301
(708) 848-7100

Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services
Evergreen Park Office
9730 South Western
Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805
(708) 857-2350

Illinois Department of Public Aid
Melrose Park Office
2701 W. Lake Street
Melrose Park, Illinois 60160
(708) 338-7600

Illinois Department of Public Aid
Midlothian Office
14820 S. Kedzie
Midlothian, Illinois 60445
(708) 371-5750

Handbook Info

This policy is regulatory and should be reviewed by each manual holder.
This policy will be maintained online. You can receive a printed copy from your QHSP.

This policy applies to all consumers (clients).