CORE Program Opens in Forest Park, Providing Support for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Tony Russo has launched CORE, a specialized day program in Forest Park, Illinois, designed to assist adults with developmental disabilities who have aged out of school-based care. The program focuses on building vocational and social skills, teaching life skills, and fostering independence, aligning with its acronym: community, ownership, readiness, and empowerment. CORE currently serves four clients, maintaining a low ratio of five clients to one lead therapist or certified professional, with a board-certified behavior analyst also available. The program is privately funded, though client families can utilize funds from the Medicaid Waiver’s Home Based Services program once approved through the state’s Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) list. Lisa Knight, whose 34-year-old son Will Schaaf, who is on the autism spectrum, transitioned into the program, has observed significant growth in his confidence, decision-making, and emotional state. The program also offers volunteering opportunitie... 
