Statement on The Adult Living Skills Program

May 28th, 2021

Statement from Janet P. Szlyk, Ph.D., President and CEO of The Chicago Lighthouse, on the Adult Living Services Program:

“Having run the Adult Living Services Program for the past 51 years, we know how critical this program is to our participants and their families. Throughout its tenure, the Adult Living Services Program has been funded by Medicaid reimbursement and has been heavily subsidized by The Chicago Lighthouse. As a result of the pandemic, the reimbursement rate for virtual programming was only 60% of what it had been for in-person services. At that level, the Program was not viable to continue.

We are currently in discussions with State officials from the Department of Human Services, as recently as yesterday, to develop options that may enable the program to return in person. Among those we have been working with is State Representative Lakesia Collins, who has been very receptive and helpful. We are hoping to have word to our families regarding a reimagined program consistent with the high standards of The Chicago Lighthouse in the near future. In the meantime, we are also working with local providers on alternatives for program participants.”

Janet P. Szlyk, Ph.D., President and CEO of The Chicago Lighthouse