Illinois Department of Human Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Information Bulletin
DD.25.XXX
Purpose:
This information bulletin explains the services that the Support Services Team (SST) provides and how to complete a referral to request their services.
Support Services Teams
The SSTs provide an interdisciplinary technical assistance and training response for adults and children with an intellectual or developmental disability struggling with their behavioral health. The SSTs will observe, assess, evaluate, consult with family members and providers working to support the person and provide training as necessary. They will have nurses, pharmacists, medical professionals, Qualified Intellectual Disability Professionals (QIDPs), psychologists, and Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) on staff and have ready access to other needed specialty behavioral providers.
The SSTs are not a substitute for emergency medical and psychiatric services or hospitalization. The SSTs do not assist with finding placement or application of waiver services. The SSTs do not provide hands on direct care or residential services.
Eligibility for SST Referrals
To be eligible to SST supports, the child or adult must have an intellectual or developmental disability. In addition, the individual must be receiving waiver services or determined clinically eligible for waiver services (e.g. they are on the PUNS list, living in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD)). The individual must be experiencing a behavioral concern that has not responded to typical interventions and the provider or family member has exhausted current behavioral supports.
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) youth in care can be referred to SST under specific circumstances. The individual must be on the Division of Developmental Disability's (DDD's) transition/Phase III list to be considered for services.
The referral is submitted to DDD by the Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency.
Upon receiving a referral from DDD staff, the SST will contact the family or provider for more information within 24 hours of the referral being accepted. The SST will respond on site within 72 hours of the referral being accepted to SST.
Type of Support
For every referral, SST will complete the following:
- Review the current behavior support plan, if one is in place, to ensure the interventions used are best practices. This may include giving suggestions on identified target behaviors, improving interventions, and reviewing data tracking systems.
- Assessment of the family system, provider supports, and individual.
- Assessment of the physical environment.
- Creation of an Action Plan that outlines a path forward to improve or augment current services.
In addition to the items listed above, the following may also be implemented:
- Medication assessment,
- Assistance in connecting with local resources,
- Additional training for staff, family, and or/individual served.
- Recommendation to a stabilization home if applicable.
Frequency and Duration of Support
The SSTs will meet with the individual based on their needs. For instances where there is significant need, SST will meet with the provider, family and/or individual on a weekly basis. The amount of in person support is expected to decrease as support continues. The end of SST involvement is carefully planned to ensure continuity of care. This often involves coordination with other service providers, ensuring the individual is linked to appropriate resources and supports, or a successful transition to any permanent clinical services. Reasons for closure include the person attained their goals, acquired new skills, demonstrated a reduction in the frequency and/or severity of behavior that was the reason for referral, or made a successful move to a new environment.
Payment
The DDD funds the SST. The clinical services, evaluations, and other administrative costs for the SST are provided at no cost to residential service providers, Home Based monthly budgets, individuals or families.
Questions:
If you have any questions about SST, you may contact DHS.DDDSST@illinois.gov. For comments about the Support Services Team DRAFT IB, please email DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov with "Support Services Team" in the subject line.
Effective Date
Effective January 1, 2025
