Support Services Team (SST) Final Information Bulletin (IB)
Illinois Department of Human Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Information Bulletin
DD.25.014
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 or mental 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/mental health providers.
The SSTs are not a substitute for emergency medical and psychiatric services or hospitalization. The SSTs are not responsible for finding placement or the application for waiver services. They can provide information to support these activities. The SSTs are not a replacement for Direct Support Professional (DSP) supports.
Eligibility for SST Referrals
To be eligible for 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/mental health concern that has not responded to typical interventions and the provider or family member has exhausted current behavioral/mental health 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 Disabilities (DDD) Transition/Phase III list to be considered for services. Individuals who have been adopted may also be considered.
To apply for services, Independent Service Coordinators (ISC) should complete and submit the referral to their respective Department of Human Services (DHS) Region Representative. Referrals are reviewed on a weekly basis. DDD determines which referrals are accepted based on acuity. ISCs can find the referral form here: SST Referral Form
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.
An individual is entitled to receive SST supports if the individual and/or guardian request a referral. Residential providers must work collaboratively with SSTs if a referral is determined necessary.
Payment
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.
Denials
This denial is subject to Appeal rights under Rule 120.110.a.3) as a Denial of a requested Waiver service by the Division. All associated appeal guidelines described in rule are applicable to the denial appeal. Please contact your ISC if you were denied services and would like to appeal.
Questions
If you have any questions about the referral process or SST services, please contact your Network Facilitator or email DHS.DDDSST@illinois.gov.
Effective Date
January 1, 2025
