Providing quality services since 1964…
Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc. provides a variety of services to Jacksonville and the surrounding area.
At Pathway, we strive to provide supports in the least restrictive way possible so that everyone can
realize their own strengths and reach their highest potential. Every human being deserves basic human
rights, freedoms and responsibilities. At Pathway, we provide meaningful life experiences for those we
support. We provide opportunities for those in our charge to become contributing citizens in their
communities, hard-working employees in the local economy and compassionate neighbors throughout
the local landscape. We do so mainly through our two largest programs, residential housing and
community day services/vocational development.
Agency Admission Criteria
People supported by Pathway are officially diagnosed with a developmental disability, such as a primary
intellectual disability, sensory disorder, cerebral palsy and epilepsy as examples. A developmental
disability must manifest or occur before the age of 22, while specific subsets traditionally require onset
before the age of 18. This diagnosis must be expected to continue indefinitely for the duration of the
person’s life and result in substantial functional limitations in major life areas, such as self-care,
language, learning or mobility.
Pathway has an Intake Committee that reviews all referrals for possible placement, both in the
residential and community day services programs. Each packet of information is careful reviewed by the
Intake Committee and only those candidates who are qualified to receive services are considered for
placement. Not every candidate is screened by the Intake Committee for placement, however. There are
several determining factors, such as the nature of the person being referred, the location where the
opening is available, the potential roommate(s) or housemates of the person being referred and other
considerations.
People supported by Pathway are typically on the Medicaid Waiver. There is no cost to those living and
working at Pathway within the Medicaid Waiver, which provides shelter, transportation, nursing
services, staffing, case management and various other supports. Food is provided through the SNAP
program via an Illinois Link Card. People who reside at Pathway also receive a monthly allowance from
their Social Security to pay for personal needs.
Staff who provide direct care to the people we support are certified as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) through the state of Illinois. Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDPs) serve as case managers for the people in our programs. Pathway employs Registered Nurse Trainers (RNTs) to oversee the medical care of those we support, as well as the guiding authority regarding medication administration, which the certified DSPs carry out on a daily basis under the license of the RNTs.
