Home-Based Support

Living and Learning In Family Environments (LIFE)

Clearbrook understands how challenging it can be to care for a loved one with a disability. Our LIFE (Living and Learning in Family Environments) Program provides home-based services for families who prefer their family members, ages three and older, receive services in their home.

Clearbrook’s LIFE Program provides:

  • Support in the comfort and familiarity of your home and community.
  • Services to promote skill development and community integration.
  • Coordination with other programs in which family members may participate.
  • As a leader in home-based services, Clearbrook provides training and support to Service Facilitators throughout the state through a network called the Home-Based Workgroup.


The LIFE Program supports and assists families to effectively meet the needs of their family member.

Program Highlights and Accomplishments

  • Clearbrook’s LIFE Program is the largest provider of home-based services in Illinois.
  • As a leader in home-based services, Clearbrook provides training and support to Service Facilitators throughout the state.
  • Clients in more than 80 communities, spread throughout 13 counties, receive home-based services through Clearbrook’s LIFE Program. More than 780 families are served.
  • Over 425 Supported Living Assistants work with families in our LIFE Program.


Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the goal of the LIFE Program? LIFE is designed to promote a family environment through skill development and community integration.
  2. How does LIFE differ from the Take A Break Volunteer Programs? LIFE focuses on active treatment for the individual(s) while Take A Break provides the opportunity for family members to take a break from the daily care needs of the individual(s).
  3. What are some examples of active treatment? Active treatment includes goal setting, developing daily living skills, behavior management and other tools needed to help the participant move towards independence.
  4. What is the role of the family? Your family’s support and involvement is essential to your family member’s success in the LIFE Program. Partnering together, we can make a difference in expectations and desires that you and your loved ones have identified.

Staff Positions & Primary Responsibilities

Clearbrook recognizes that open and continuous communication between families and direct care staff is the heart of a successful relationship. The most critical staff members of our team are:

Supported Living Assistant (SLA) - Matched to families based on job qualifications, experience, scheduling and compatibility, the SLA Provides participants with supervision, training, assistance and guidance at home or in the community; he or she is extensively trained by Clearbrook.

Service Facilitator - Provides case management services to the individual in conjunction with the family and serves as primary contact for the family. The Service Facilitator supervises the Supported Living Assistants. Facilitate services with other professionals as needed.

Family Support Specialist – Advocates and supports the IEP (individualized education plan) for the child. Assists the family with scheduling concerns, behavior programming and transition planning.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) - Completes functional assessments and provides behavioral supports to reduce incidents of problem behaviors and improve the adaptive and social skills of the clients. Assists in supervising interns. Provides support and training for direct care staff.

Transition Outreach Specialist – Support families through the social security and Medicaid process; provides information on special needs trusts; assists families in obtaining benefits and links families to adult services.

Where is the program located?
Clearbrook’s LIFE Program
(Administrative offices)
1835 W. Central Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Services are provided to clients in the family home.

What are the age requirements to participate in the program?
Participants must be 3 years or older.

Contact Information
If you would like more information about Clearbrook’s LIFE Program, please contact Hollis Gorrie, Program Director at 847-385-5041 or hgorrie@clearbrook.org.