Mission Statement:  Enhance the quality of life for all individuals in need of service coordination.  These services will assist and empower individuals to make choices that will maximize their personal development and growth.

A Developmental Disability (DD) is a disability that is attributable to:

• Mental retardation (or closely related condition)

• Cerebral Palsy

• Epilepsy

• Autism

• Closely related condition to mental retardation that results in impairment of general functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of individuals with mental retardation

A Developmental Disability (DD):

• is manifested before age 22

• is likely to continue indefinitely

• results in substantial limitations in three of the following areas of major life areas:  self-care, language, learning, mobility, self direction, and capacity for independent living

• PUNS - Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services:  Statewide database that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are potentially in need of services now or within the next five years.  PUNS is NOT a waiting list for services and does not guarantee services.  The PUNS form encompasses three levels of urgency of need:  emergency, critical (within one year), and planning (1-5 years).  A service coordinator schedules a face-to-face meeting with the individual, guardian, and any significant other persons to complete the PUNS assessment.  The PUNS is updated as needs are met or changed or at a minimum annually.  http://dd.illinois.gov  
   
• PRE-ADMISSION SCREENING (PAS):  An Individual Service Coordinator from WISC will meet with you to obtain information and to assist you in understanding what services may be available to you.  The Individual Service Coordinator also will complete a APrioritization of Urgency of Need for Services@ (PUNS) form based on information provided during the meeting.  Once Medicaid waiver eligibility is determined and screening is completed, service options will be discussed with you.  After you have made a choice of service providers, tours of different facilities of your choice will be scheduled.  A funding packet request will be submitted to IL Department of Human Services (DHS) once a provider of your choice determines the facility would be able to meet your needs.  After an award letter is issued by DHS, the facility can schedule a time for services to begin.

• INDIVIDUAL SERVICE & SUPPORT ADVOCACY (ISSA): Once an individual is awarded funding and begins receiving services in a waiver funded program, WISC begins providing ISSA services.  The ISSA provides assistance to individuals and their providers to enhance services, protect rights, assure choices are honored when possible, and assure services outlined in the individual=s program plan are carried out.
• BOGARD: Individuals who are designated as Bogard class members are assigned an individual Service Coordinator (ISC).  The ISC completes monthly visits to the residential setting and the day program if one is attended. After the ISC schedules and conducts the Individual Service Plan (ISP), the ISC contacts the guardian if he/she is unable to attend the ISP to see if there are any additional areas of advocacy needed.  Specialized services designated within the ISP are arranged for by the ISC.  Specialized services can include physical therapy, speech therapy, behavioral therapy, and community participation.
   

• COMMUNITY CASE COORDINATION:  Providing advocacy services, referral and linkage services, intake services, and placement and discharge services to community individuals.

   

• CHILDREN'S WAIVER: The children's waiver funds residential services to children ages 3-21 living in a DHS funded residential placement or provides home and community-based services and supports so the child may remain at home.  The extent of care required to maintain these children at home must be so extensive due to the severity of the developmental disability and its impact on the family, that the parents would consider residential placement for them.  WISC provides pre-admission screening to determine eligibility and completes a PUNS form (see above).