About us

Epilepsy Program Coordinator:

Stephanie has 17 years of experience working for Streator Unlimited and she’s brought a lot to the organization. Her vast array of experience and professional qualifications make her an ideal program coordinator. Among her accomplishments, she:

Stephanie is also an exceptional public speaker and enjoys presenting to students, teachers, community groups, employers, and other groups. She has experience in all aspects of case management and has led employment-related support groups for individuals with disabilities.

Executive Director:

John has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1991. His clinical experience and depth of experience in grant work enable him to make sure our services will be effective in meeting your needs. Among his accomplishments, John has authored and managed numerous grants including:

John holds a phenomenal record in reporting and standards compliance with funders including DHS, IHDA, IDOT, HUD, and LaSalle and Macon County Mental Health Boards. We are confident in his ability to ensure all grant requirements are met while he works with Stephanie Harcharik to coordinate services.

John has a Master’s in Rehabilitation Administration and Services from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Peer Leader:

Andy is one of our dedicated peer facilitators for support groups. Through customized employment services, he has proudly held a community job for ten years. He has gained a tremendous amount of experience through building his social network, serving as co-secretary of Streator Kiwanis Club, and establishing himself as an active and visible member of the community.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, Andy headed up a weekly Facebook Live session to support those navigating the unprecedented situation. His contributions to support groups have always been well-received and appreciated.

Andy also has experience as a public speaker and has presented on customized employment at the Illinois Statewide Transition Conference. He can share on a range of topics including:

Parent Leader:

Marla is Andy Hoekstra’s mother and serves in several roles. She is a support for Andy and shares her experience as a caregiver with other parents and family members. She also facilitates the Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources Facebook Page and Group.

Parents, family members, and group members alike will appreciate Marla’s real-life experience and expertise in raising a child with complex medical and service needs. She is the perfect complement to the clinical expertise Streator Unlimited provides.

Among her experiences, Marla has:

Case Manager and Grant Coordinator:

Melanie has served as a case manager and supervisor with SU for 17 years, coming to us directly after graduating from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Sociology.

Among other roles, she:

She will continue to provide case management and grant coordination to ensure services are provided in a timely manner.

Qualified Counselor:

Kara is a Medical Social Worker for OSF Home Health and Hospice. She sees patients in their homes and helps connect them to services, facilitates the completion of legal documents, and offers support and counseling. This role is a perfect outlet for her passion for holistic health and facilitating wellness between mind, body, and spirit.

Among other roles, Kara:

Kara is a wife and proud mom of four busy kids and can often be seen running them around to extra-curricular activities. When she gets downtime, she enjoys reading, cleaning, and spending time in nature.

Transportation and Medical Appointments Expertise:

Michelle has worked with adults with developmental disabilities and epilepsy for over 30 years. She also has a year and a half worth of experience working as a pharmacy technician. She is passionate about supporting individuals, families, and medical professionals so each person experiences productive, positive interactions and progress is maintained toward achieving treatment goals.

With Streator Unlimited, Michelle:

In her role as Transportation and Medical Appointments Expert for the grant, Michelle will:

Skilled Registered Nurse:

Kathy is an RN with nine years of experience working with individuals in skilled care facilities and two years working in a psychiatric unit. Before nursing, she worked for two years as a DSP.

At home, Kathy cares for her beloved 18-year-old daughter with Down Syndrome. Kathy combines her professional expertise and personal experience to support you in navigating the medical system and response to treatment.

Financial and Benefits Management:

Teri brings more than 36 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and epilepsy to her job at SU as a Benefits Specialist. Her extensive experience includes supporting individuals and families with managing:

Grant participants are in good hands with Teri helping them through the hurdles of planning and navigating all things financial.

Intellectual Disabilities and Self Advocacy Expertise:

BTS has a rich history of working with individuals with disabilities and disability service providers. They are a leader in the field and have developed programs and resources to support self-advocacy, equality, and justice.

BTS provides a wealth of assistance including:

BTS also has contacts across the state to forward their mission of caring for individuals with disabilities such as disability organizations, self-advocate groups, victim services, and community collaborative partners. In the third quarter of FY21 alone, BTS worked with IDD self-advocacy groups to provide online support groups, reaching more than 488 people with IDD.

Blue Tower Solutions Specialist:

Leanne has specialized in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1999. Before working for BTS, she worked for 15 years in various roles that would serve her well in years to come including job coach, QIDP, Day Services Manager, and Director of Employment and Advocacy.

Leanne is a national speaker, writer, and consultant who specializes in improving organizations and systems that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She believes that the key to helping those who receive service is encouraging, empowering, and enlightening the staff who work for them.

Through a wide variety of experiences, Leanne contributes a unique perspective and brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. A few of her past roles include: