Programs / Services

Good Shepherd Center Tots Together Pre-School program provides developmental and educational services for children with and without disabilities, ages birth to 3. The learning environment includes opportunities for independent play, structured group as well as sensory/art activities, music therapy and snack time. Activities are designed to meet individual goals for those children with therapeutic plans and general developmental goals for our community participants. Children learn basic reasoning skills, social sharing skills, use of language, and cooperative interaction through playing. The goal of Tots Together Pre-School is to maximize each child’s development and ensure future academic success. To address the needs of parents and siblings, the program also provides educational and supportive services to assist them in understanding the needs of the child enrolled in the Pre-School program. The teacher to student ratio is 4 to 1. Classes meet twice a week either Tuesday and Thursday or Wednesday and Friday beginning at 9:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. Please note that children do not have to be toilet trained to enroll. Registration for the Tots Together Pre-School Program is $25. Monthly tuition is $90 with scholarships available. For more information, please call 708.206.6155 ext.11.

Developmental Therapy

Developmental Therapy activities offered in the learning environment are also available for children with disabilities in homes or daycare centers through individual therapeutic sessions.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy services are provided through individualized programs designed to assist in the development of a child’s tone, strength, balance, and coordination of motor skills. If a child requires specialized equipment to assist in positioning and/or walking, families are provided with the necessary equipment and instruction.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy promotes independence within a child’s daily routine. Independence can be achieved by enhancing fine motor skills, visual motor and visual perceptual skills. An additional focus to assist children better adapt to their particular environment is an integral part of Occupational Therapy.

Speech and Language Therapy

Good Shepherd Center provides Speech and Language Therapy for children at the learning center, in the home, or at location where the child spends regularly scheduled time, such as a day care center. Professional therapy may be necessary due to the loss of hearing, neurological disorders, brain injuries, mental retardation, and physical impairments such as cleft palate or lip. Good Shepherd Center’s trained professionals address a child’s speech and language delays, problems in communication, and other areas of oral motor functions.

Nursing

A certified registered nurse in developmental disabilities serves as a professional resource for families and the Good Shepherd Center staff. Good Shepherd Center’s nurse provides direct medical and nutritional care for children medically fragile or experience nutritional difficulties. The nurse confidentially monitors and maintains each child's medical records and information. The nurse also serves as the Nutritional Consultant for the learning service and offers consultation for parents.

Good Shepherd Center is a resource for parents as a local Lekotek Toy Lending and Purposeful Play site. Lekotek uses interactive play experiences, and the learning that results, to promote the inclusion of children with special needs into family and community life. Lekotek makes the world of play accessible to children with all types of disabilities through special play and learning centers where they can have fun with traditional toys, adapted toys, books and computers. And while they are playing, Lekotek kids are learning new skills that build the base for literacy, mathematical reasoning and computer use.

Respite Care

Good Shepherd Center In-Home Respite Care program provides short-term, intermittent care for persons with developmental disabilities in their natural, guardian, or foster family home. The trained and professional Good Shepherd Center Respite staff offers care for individuals with special needs and siblings under the age of 18. The primary caregiver and all other adults residing in the home must leave the residence during the time of service. The objective of the program is to provide temporary relief for the primary caregiver, while maintaining the needs of the child in the family home, rather than a more restrictive long-term out of home placement. Since the majority of the Respite program’s funding is from the Department of Human Services, there is no charge to qualified individuals. The guidelines for participation in the program include the following: resident of South Suburban Cook County and a diagnosis of Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, or Mental Retardation. To obtain additional information, please contact Dawn Dixon at 708.335.0020, ext. 22.

Illinois Action For Children

Good Shepherd Center has broadened its focus through the addition of the community partner provider training and resource center. Good Shepherd Center works in collaboration with Illinois Action for Children to provide education and resources to practioners who educate and care for the children of working families in Illinois. This program offers weekly training classes approved by DCFS, a quality counts van for outreach visits, a leading library of educational and enhancement materials for programs. In addition, we also have a Child Care Nurse Consultant who provides expertise concerning health issues of young children, and a Mental Health Consultant who provides assistance with social emotional issues that relate to young children and their caregivers. As a result, Good Shepherd Center seeks to ensure access to quality child care for all children and families.