|
Good Shepherd Center was founded
as a school to serve children with special needs and their families
in l963. Throughout its
history Good Shepherd Center has continued to grow and redefine its
mission as the needs of the community grew and changed.
It has viewed its role in the community as an extension of
the family and community at large, operating with the utmost respect
for and dedication to the children and families it has served.
In 2006 the mission of Good Shepherd Center was expanded to
include all children and adults.
Mission Statement: “Good Shepherd Center, a
community advocate for children and adults, with and without
disabilities, provides support, service, and education to empower
individuals and families to lead exceptional lives.”
Good Shepherd Center employs an exceptional staff
with outstanding credentials and experience that serves the south
suburbs of Chicago from Joliet to the Indiana border.
Good Shepherd Center Early Intervention Program
This program provides therapeutic services for
children with developmental disabilities/delays, from birth to three
years of age. Physical,
Occupation, Speech and Developmental Therapy address all areas of
development maximizing each child’s potential growth preparing then
to transition to the public school’s Early Childhood programs at age
three.
Children receive therapy in the “natural
environment” of their family home or perhaps at their daycare center
in accordance with their parent’s desires.
In addition to providing therapy services for
children, the EI program also emphasizes family support as a key
component of assuring a healthy child.
We continue to offer all the families in this program the
opportunity to meet and support each other through agency-sponsored
training, family fun events, and our informational Lending Library.
The EI program serves families in southern Cook
and northern Will counties.
For further information call the Early Intervention Manager
at 708-335-0020 Ext.16.
Good Shepherd Center Outpatient Pediatric Therapy Services
This program was developed as an extension of the
services provided through the Early Intervention Program.
We can now continue to provide therapy services to children
over the age of three.
Therapy can be paid for through a family’s private health insurance
or out-of –pocket.
Good Shepherd Center In-Home Respite Program
Through this program our agency provides
short-term, intermittent care for persons with a diagnosis of
Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy or Mental Retardation in their
natural, guardian or foster family home.
Our staff is sent to the family’s home to provide care for
the individual with special needs as well as any siblings under the
age of 18. This allows
the primary caregivers the opportunity to attend community events
with the comforting knowledge that their child is being well cared
for in their absence.
The basis of the In-Home Respite Care program is
the defer or deter residential placement of individuals who have a
developmental disability, by giving family members some time off to
relax and recharge. If
the family is to function as a supportive unit, its members must be
supported. Demands on a
family’s time, energy, financial resources and emotional reserves
can be detrimental to all its members.
Family support, through respite care, helps to strengthen the
family unit so it can function to its highest potential.
In addition to providing Respite Care for
families, this department also assists families in accessing other
available services for their child by providing referral services to
assure that the family’s needs are best meet.
CPR/First Aid training is offered to families at no charge.
This program serves families in southwest
suburban Cook County and also families receiving Early Intervention
services through Good Shepherd Center, who live in northern Will
County. For further information call the In-Home Respite Care Family
Manager at 708-335-0020 Ext. 22.
Good Shepherd Center Family Resource Center
Good Shepherd Center provides a Resource Center
for families to borrow books, articles, tapes and seminar
information regarding child development and disabilities.
We are currently in collaboration with a group called I-CARE
(Illinoisans for the Cure of Autism through Research and Education)
on the development of a Resource Center for families of children on
the Autism Spectrum.
This Resource Center, unlike any other on the south side of Chicago
provides families with the opportunity to make one phone call to
access any needed service or gather information that will best serve
their child. For further
information call the Executive Director at 708-335-0020 Ext. 26.
Good Shepherd Center Community Partner Program
In collaboration with
Illinois Action for Children this program provides
training opportunities and support for day care centers and in-home
childcare providers in the far south suburban Cook County area.
This training includes information on all areas of child
development including specific handling and treatment of children
with developmental disabilities.
For further information call the Community Partners Program
Director at 708-957-2600 Ext. 226.
Good Shepherd Center Parent Institute Day
This bilingual event has been developed to
provide parents, childcare workers and educators with educational
and support information that highlights topics regarding children
with and without developmental disabilities.
The goal of the conference is to assist caregivers in
becoming more aware of current issues and raise their confidence in
their ability to face these challenges.
We provide sessions for English and Spanish speaking
audiences as well as exhibitors who present goods and services to
support the needs of children.
For further information call the Community Partner Director
at 957-2600 Ext. 226.
| 
