Resources
Little Friends takes great pride in being a trusted resource to our community for over 55 years. Now more than ever, families of those with autism and other developmental disabilities are seeking support, direction, and guidance. To further focus on families, our Family Care Team has been established to provide initial interactions with families, public entities, and advocates as they learn more about our programs, the breadth of our services, and the resources available through our trained clinicians, educators, and professional staff. Information on how to access Little Friends services can be found below along with additional helpful material for families. Our Family Care Team can always be reached to provide further assistance at 630.355.6533
Eligibility
Individuals do not need an autism diagnosis to receive services at our center. However, a doctor’s prescription is required for most therapies to qualify for coverage under most insurance plans.
Access to Services
Little Friends Center for Autism accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and United Healthcare. Our billing specialist can assist with verifying benefits to identify your plans coverage and any additional expenses. Patient/family responsibility is accepted by credit card, cash, check. We do not accept Medicaid for therapeutic services.
Additional Resources
- Milestone Checklist -The Center for Disease Control’s online checklist can help provide guidance to parents who may have concerns about their development, click here.
- The Arc of Illinois
- The Autism Project of Illinois
- Autism Speaks
- Autism & Beyond
Little Friends Adult Day Services program utilizes the Illinois DHS-Division of DD Medicaid Waiver, Services for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
Eligibility
Those who attend our program must:
- Have a diagnosed disability that significantly interferes with their ability to be gainfully employed in the community
- Possess a state issued identity card and a valid social security card
- Be legally able to work in the United States
- Behave in a manner that does not endanger the safety of others or disrupt the program
- Be independent enough that one-to-one staff assistance is not required
- Be eligible for third-party funding or be able to accept responsibility for program fees
- Be able to complete the programing day without requiring medication administration
- Be able to use the restroom with minimal assistance
- Be able to eat with minimal assistance
- Be able to transfer to a vehicle or seat independently
- Be within our transportation boundaries
Access to Services
Register on waiting list (PUNS) through your Independent Services Coordination agency. The PUNS list is a waiting list for Medicaid waiver funding to pay for services, provided through the IL DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Individuals are selected from the PUNS waiting list and invited to apply for DD Waiver services. The Independent Service Coordination Agency is the “doorway” to PUNS and funding for services.
Additional Resources
Little Friends Residential Services program utilizes the Illinois DHS-Division of DD Medicaid Waiver, Services for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Program outline and links to additional resources are below:
Eligibility
Persons 18 and older with IQ of 70 or below prior to age 18 OR related condition before age 22 with significant life skill deficits in 3 of 6 major life activities (self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-directions, capacity for independent living) and PUNS selected.
Access to Services
Register on waiting list (PUNS) through your Independent Services Coordination agency. The PUNS list is a waiting list for Medicaid waiver funding to pay for services, provided through the IL DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Individuals are selected from the PUNS waiting list and invited to apply for DD Waiver services. The Independent Service Coordination Agency is the “doorway” to PUNS and funding for services.
Additional Resources
Eligibility
To attend Krejci Academy, students must: be between 3 and 21 years of age; be referred by their home school district or cooperative; display a need for an intensive therapeutic approach due to behavioral, emotional, or developmental disabilities.
To attend Mansion High School, students must have an IEP for placement and be: in grades 9 through 12; referred by their home school district or cooperative because of emotional or behavioral problems which prohibit them prohibit them from functioning in the public school system.
Access to Services
Students must be placed in a Little Friends educational program by their home school district. A student’s IEP team at their home district determines that a learning environment or services necessary for the student’s success cannot be provided will seek to place a student out of district or in a non-public special education school, per the guidelines of the Illinois State Board of Education. The placing school district provides transportation to and from our Warrenville campus. School Districts can send referral packets for review to schoolreferrals@lilfriends.com.
