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Cigna Healthcare® has selected My Life My Home as a recipient of their 2025 gold level Healthy Workforce Designation for demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the health and vitality of its employees through a workplace well-being program.

My Life My Home’s comprehensive well-being program is available year-round to all employees and is centered around five key pillars: physical, emotional, social, financial, and career well-being. The program offers employees access to resources, educational presentations from local experts, engaging activities, and team-based wellness challenges designed to encourage healthy habits. My Life My Home also provides reimbursement of up to $50 per month for qualifying well-being expenses. Over the past year, the organization also incorporated an employee health fair and workplace book club.

“At My Life My Home, we are deeply committed to supporting employee well-being, and we are honored to once again receive the Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation,” said Samantha Lappe, Marketing and Public Relations Manager. “Our mission is to passionately support each person in living a meaningful and satisfying life, and that commitment extends to both our residents and our employees. We recognize the strong connection between employee well-being and workplace engagement, which enhances the care and support we provide to our residents.”

Vitality is defined as the ability to pursue life with health, strength and energy. It is both a driver and an outcome of health and work/life engagement, and Cigna Healthcare believes it is not only essential to individuals, but also a catalyst for business and community growth.

Research conducted as part of the Evernorth Vitality Index confirms that those with higher vitality experience better mental and physical health along with higher levels of job satisfaction, performance and stronger manager relationships. With only one in five U.S. adults reporting high levels of vitality, employers have an opportunity to improve workplace well-being programs and support. A workplace well-being program that takes a comprehensive approach to employee health can be critical in boosting vitality and building a workforce that experiences better overall health and job productivity.

“Employers that prioritize workforce vitality — by addressing workplace stress, promoting healthy behaviors, and fostering a sense of competence, autonomy, and connection — are supporting employee well-being and driving organizational success,” said Bryan Holgerson, president of Cigna Healthcare U.S. “As a company committed to creating better health care experiences and outcomes, we’re proud to recognize and celebrate employers who are building cultures of well-being across all dimensions of vitality.”

The Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation evaluates organizations based on the core components of their well-being program, including workforce insights; strategy and culture; health equity and social determinants of health; dimensions of vitality; and engagement and experience. Organizations recognized with this designation set the standard of excellence for organizational health and vitality. Cigna Healthcare’s selection of My Life My Home with the gold level designation reinforces the company’s efforts and progress in 2025 toward nurturing a healthy work culture.

My Life My Home celebrated their team members and another fantastic year during their Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 31^st.   

The banquet’s theme was TV & Movie Characters, which played along with the evening’s entertainment of bingo. Each round of bingo was TV theme songs or Movie soundtracks. The evening also included a dinner, dancing, and presenting recognition & years of service awards. We proudly recognized employees celebrating 35, 25, and 20 years of service—a remarkable testament to the dedication and heart they bring to Clinton Manor every single day.

Each year an Advocacy Award is also presented to a team member, family, or community member who makes a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities or senior citizens. This year’s recipients of the Advocacy Award was Karen Wilkerson for her many contributions to enriching the lives of those we support at both Clinton Manor and My Life My Home.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and to the local businesses who helped make the evening a success. Special appreciation goes to the New Baden American Legion, Turf Catering, John Stocklin with Club VIP DJ Services, and Foxy Fete for their support and partnership.

At My Life My Home, individuals with developmental disabilities are provided daily support to live as independently as possible within the community. My Life My Home manages eight Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs) throughout St. Clair County and Clinton County. For more information, please go to: www.MyLifeMyChoiceMyHome.org

 

Clinton Manor and My Life My Home celebrated their team members and another fantastic year during their Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 3, 2024. The banquet’s theme was Casino Night, which included a variety of Vegas games for guests to learn how to play and enjoy. The evening also included a dinner, dancing, and presenting recognition & years of service awards. Awards presented at the banquet included a 35 Years of Service award to Michael Brave, CEO. Clinton Manor has been  under the same ownership and management since it was purchased on January 1, 1988 by Southern Illinois Living Centers, Inc. Each year an Advocacy Award is also presented to a team member, family, or community member who makes a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities or senior citizens. This year’s recipients of the Advocacy Award were Kim Karbach, of the REAL organization, and The Colleen Nesbit Memorial Foundation. Clinton Manor and My Life My Home appreciate the many team members and guests who attended, as well as the local businesses that helped make the event a success! Special thanks goes to the New Baden American Legion, Cygan Delaney Catering, Elite Events and Foxy Fete Event Services. At Clinton Manor Living Center, their mission is to passionately support each person in living a meaningful and satisfying life. Clinton Manor in New Baden, IL provides long-term care and skilled nursing that accommodates seniors or individuals with high medical needs. Their 5-star Medicare rated nursing team delivers person-centered care for individuals recuperating from surgery, stroke or illness. Clinton Manor also offers an excellent in-house rehabilitation department that provides Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy. At My Life My Home, individuals with developmental disabilities are provided daily support to live as independently as possible within the community. My Life My Home manages eight Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs) throughout St. Clair County and Clinton County. For more information, please go to: www.MyLifeMyChoiceMyHome.org

What Does a Direct Support Professional Do?

What does a Direct Support Professional do?

The individuals who reside at the CILA homes have developmental disabilities and need assistance with a variety of daily living activities. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the team members who support them with these activities. All CILA homes are staffed 24 hours a day with a dedicated team of DSPs.

Direct Support Professional responsibilities include:

• Assist with daily task such as personal care, cooking and eating meals, personal hygiene and grooming, cleaning inside their home, and restroom assistance
• Assures the safety & health of individuals is maintained at all times
• Provide transportation to and from day training programs, employment, appointments, and group activities
• Administer medications
• Help individuals reach any personal goals that are listed in their Individual Service Plans
• Empowers individuals to make their own decisions while providing guidance as needed

Characteristics of a DSP

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is someone who wants to encourage and facilitate independence and choice for the individuals. My Life My Home implements person-centered planning, where the individual is making their own choices and preferences in their life, just as anyone else would.

DSPs should regard the individuals we support as equals and treat them as adults. My Life My Home uses Person-First Language which addresses individuals in a respectful manner and does not use institutional language, such as Feeders, Diapers, Bibs and Behaviors.

DSPs should enjoy interacting with the people we support. The team at My Life My Home comes from an array of backgrounds, including the Human Services field. Enjoying helping others and working with individuals with developmental disabilities is key!

DSPs Must be able to move intermittently throughout the day.

• Must function independently, have personal integrity, have flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with coworkers.

Qualifications to become a DSP

My Life My Home offers paid training for all Direct Support Professionals upon hire. We welcome candidates who have previous DSP experience or are new to the human services field. We want you to feel comfortable with your role and responsibilities and provide training, including new hire orientation.

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• A High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is preferred.
• DSP Certification not required upon hire, but must be able to obtain DSP certification by the State of Illinois We help you with this process and provide paid training to become certified.

If you find the details about Direct Support Professionals interesting, we invite you apply to join our team! To see a current list of openings and for our online application, please go to: https://mylifemyhome.mitcawm.com/jobs/

What to Expect From Placement as a Parent or Guardian?

What to expect from placement as a parent or guardian?

A transition to a CILA arrangement can be scary for individuals who have never lived outside of a family home. It can also be worrisome for their parents and families.

At My Life My Home, we emphasize that the transition should be slow, not fast. We recommend a series of meetings with employees and agency leadership, as well as a series of visits that get progressively longer. The visits at the CILA home may include an hour with family, lunch or dinner without family, an afternoon, an overnight visit and then a weekend/extended visit. We want to ensure individuals interested moving into the CILA will feel comfortable and safe in their new environment.

Individuals that need support and their families should be comfortable asking any questions. Be sure to ask our team and leadership any questions you may have.

How involved will a parent or guardian be once their loved one moves into the CILA?

You can be as involved or uninvolved as you want to be. We have a wide range of involvement among our families and guardians. 

FAQ:

What about money management?

Our team helps teach individuals proper money management skills.

Additional financial options to be added later.

What about medical care?

Our Director of Health Services and Registered Nurses provide medical oversight and administration. Direct Support Professionals within each CILA are certified to properly administer daily medications. We also coordinate and provide transportation to medical appointments with their primary doctor, dentist, and specialists such as podiatrists, etc. We also have a nurse on call 24 hours a day.  

What about visits?

Family members and guardians can visit their loved one at the CILA as often as they would like. Likewise, individuals may take short or extended visits home with their family. Please note, due to COVID, the visitation policy at My Life My Home may occasionally change.

The team at My Life My Home focus on the individual’s personal preferences and provide person-centered daily support. Living in a CILA should be as similar to living independently as possible. Except for routines set by individuals, there should be no “wake up times” or “snack times”.  Our employees do not dictate the day-to-day activities. Those are driven by the wants and needs of the individuals we support.

We hope you have found this information helpful. Interested learning more about the placement of a loved one in a CILA home? Please call our office at 618-588-7136 or fill out our Referral Form. (link to referral form)

Southern Illinois Community Support Services Announces Name Change to My Life My Home

Southern Illinois Community Support Services, a Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) provider, has changed its name to My Life My Home effective January 1, 2022. The name change and new company logo are part of a rebranding plan to better reflect what they do and what differentiates them from other providers.

A CILA is a community home for adults with developmental disabilities who also receive daily support. The organization’s first CILA opened in 1993 under Southern Illinois Living Centers. In 2000, Southern Illinois Community Support Services was established to manage three CILAs. The organization has since grown to eight locations throughout the Metro East.

The renaming process involved receiving feedback from several different stakeholders. Board members, employees, individuals and their family members had the chance to complete questionnaires and provide suggestions.

“We strive to provide the greatest all around care to individuals in their home,” said Michael Brave, CEO and President. “Through a person-centered planning model, they make individualized daily choices in their home. That is why we selected My Life My Home as our new name.”

Mary Lynam-Miller, Executive Director at My Life My Home stated, “We are an organization that shows flexibility and are able to adjust to individuals wants and needs. We find ways to connect with the individuals and ensure they feel happiness and fulfillment in their lives. We look for every opportunity to help them reach their goals.”

At My Life My Home, individuals with developmental disabilities are provided support to live as independently as possible within the community. My Life My Home manages eight Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs) in Belleville, Breese, Mascoutah and New Baden, IL. A dedicated team provides services with integrity and respect to ensure the highest quality of life tailored to each individual. Their mission is to passionately support each person in living a meaningful and satisfying life! For more information, please go to: www.MyLifeMyChoiceMyHome.org