Your Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Services

At Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU), we understand that seeking the resources you need to support yourself or a loved one with an intellectual and developmental disability can be overwhelming. The research, planning, and understanding that goes into the process can be challenging, but we are here to support, guide, and advocate for you during this process.  

Community Alternatives Unlimited was the first Individual Service Coordination (ISC) agency in Illinois, founded in 1980. Annually, we serve over 11,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We serve families on the north side of Chicago, Lake County, Hanover Township, the North Shore suburbs, and the Northwest suburbs, and offer service coordination for people of any age with an intellectual and developmental disability.

How We Can Help

ISC agencies like Community Alternatives Unlimited serve individuals who are seeking or receiving supportive services. Our process involves establishing a personal, one-to-one relationship between the individual and families in need of services and the CAU case manager. Our goal is to ensure that individuals we serve are healthy, safe, and living a meaningful life of their choice.

Areas of Service Include:

  • Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) Database
  • Pre-Admission Screening (PAS)
  • Individual Service and Support Advocacy (ISSA)
  • Housing Navigation – A service for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that helps find affordable and accessible housing. To be eligible, the individual must have Medicaid waiver services or are selected from the PUNS list.
  • State Operated Developmental Centers (SODC) Outreach – Annual outreach provided to individuals (or guardians) that currently reside in SODC facility to ensure awareness of all options for services and supports offered by the State of Illinois.
  • State Operated Developmental Centers (SODC) Transition – CAU serves as an active member of the team which supports individuals at Kiley Developmental Center in transitioning to alternative living arrangements in the community.
  • Intermediate Care Facility (ICFDD) Outreach – Annual outreach provided to individuals (or guardians) that currently reside in ICFDD facility to ensure awareness of all options for services and supports offered by the State of Illinois. 

Community Alternatives Unlimited Can Help With:

  • Assessment of current needs
  • Ensuring safety and providing services to individuals who are in crisis (currently defined as homelessness, abuse and/or neglect)
  • Education and guidance regarding currently available services
  • Understanding your rights and options when it comes to services
  • Gaining access to necessary support and services
  • Development of a comprehensive and individualized person-centered plan
  • Coordinating, implementing, and monitoring supportive services
  • Updating of person-centered plans annually, or as needs change
  • Providing resources

Seeking services and resources for individuals  or a loved one with an intellectual and developmental disability can be an overwhelming process. You don’t have to go through it alone. The experienced case managers at CAU have helped families just like yours find the resources to be able to thrive. 

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you!

CAU interfaces with various state agencies and a wide variety of organizations and vendors to better serve our families and individuals.

Community Alternatives Unlimited
8765 West Higgins Road, Suite 300
Chicago, Illinois 60631

773-867-4000