Good Shepherd Center was founded in 1963 as a school for children with disabilities and their families. The Center was a pioneer in serving children at that time, as educational/therapy programs were rare for young children in their first critical five years of life. Since that time, the agency has evolved into a multi-service agency now serving children and adults with and without disabilities as
well as their families. We do this through a variety of ways including In-Respite Care, which provides short-term, intermittent care for individuals with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and developmental disabilities. Services are provided in the home of the respite family. Respite Care staff also provides care for the siblings under 18 of the child with the disability, while parents/caregivers are out of the home. Our Early Intervention Program provides therapeutic services for children with developmental disabilities/delays, age’s birth to 10 that include Physical, Occupational, Speech and Developmental Therapy to improve the overall physical condition of the child, while preparing them to transition to public school Early Childhood programs most effectively. The Community Partners Program works in collaboration with Illinois Action for Children in providing training opportunities and support for Day Care Centers and Home Childcare providers in the far south suburban Cook county area. This training includes all areas of information relevant to child development with an increased ability to provide information on the care and treatment of children with developmental disabilities.
