bha-wireframe9 2

CHSP at the Irvin Apartments

CHSP refers to the Congregate Housing Services Program. This program was started in January 1982 in conjunction with Marcfirst (Formerly Marc Center) to serve exclusively adults with developmental disabilities.  In 2009, the state of Illinois eliminated the grant Marcfirst obtained annually for the program, and the Housing Authority of the City of Bloomington (BHA) widened the CHSP to include adults with various disabilities that meet program requirements. This program provides both services and training in the area of daily living skills. Funding for the service aspect of the program is provided by a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant through BHA. Participants pay 30% of their income for rent and 20% of their income for the services provided at the Irvin Apartments.

CHSP at the Irvin Apartments

bha-wireframe9 2

CHSP refers to the Congregate Housing Services Program. This program was started in January 1982 in conjunction with Marcfirst (Formerly Marc Center) to serve exclusively adults with developmental disabilities.  In 2009, the state of Illinois eliminated the grant Marcfirst obtained annually for the program, and the Housing Authority of the City of Bloomington (BHA) widened the CHSP to include adults with various disabilities that meet program requirements. This program provides both services and training in the area of daily living skills. Funding for the service aspect of the program is provided by a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant through BHA. Participants pay 30% of their income for rent and 20% of their income for the services provided at the Irvin Apartments.

BHA currently employs a full time CHSP Service Coordinator, a full time CHSP Resident Manager who lives on site and a weekend CHSP Resident Aide to ensure participants have the service and assistance needed to successfully live independently.

The CHSP provides services to 25 adults with disabilities who are determined eligible for program services by the CHSP Service Coordinator and by the Professional Assessment Committee (PAC).  Participants in the CHSP live in the Irvin Apartment buildings at 823 West Oakland and 810 West Jackson. Individuals who live in the Irvin Apartments must be semi-independent and must have achieved a level of independent functioning as determined by PAC. All participants are required to be involved in activities that take them out of the apartments to ensure they are active in the community.  Participants must have jobs in the community, receive vocational training, attend day programming or volunteer in the community.

Meals are provided through a catering service (currently Custom Catering).  All meals are certified by a registered dietitian to ensure the daily nutritional requirements are met. At least one hot meal is served per day in a group setting.

CHSP Services Include:

  • Meal Services
  • Personal Assistance
  • Health Services
  • Housekeeping Services
  • Transportation Services
  • Case Management/Service Coordination

Participants are also assessed in the following Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s).  To be eligible a participant must show a need in at least 3 of these categories:

  • Eating
  • Bathing
  • Grooming
  • Dressing
  • Being Alone
  • Continence
  • Transferring
  • Housework
  • Shopping
  • Laundry
  • Transportation
  • Money Management
  • Health Care

Individuals must be able to present a medical evaluation within the last year of applying for the program-for example, psychological evaluation or physician report stating the individual’s diagnosis.

Participants are assessed on progress of their goals and their levels of independence by CHSP staff.  There are semi-annual meetings held to set goals and objectives in order to assist the individual with becoming more independent in the community.

The CHSP Service Coordinator meets with participants monthly to discuss the program and how they feel about their progress. The CHSP Service Coordinator provides case management and assists clients in obtaining needed health and social services with external agencies.

The PAC reviews all participants’ progress quarterly (or as needed) from the assessments and semi-annual meetings completed by the CHSP Service Coordinator.  The PAC decides whether a participant continues to be eligible for CHSP services.

The CHSP assists individuals with disabilities who might never have had a chance to live on their own and avoid premature institutionalization in some cases.

For more information contact:

Lori Boline
CHSP Service Coordinator
Housing Authority of the City of Bloomington
823 W. Oakland Avenue
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 829-3360, ext. 208
lorib@bloomingtonha.com