Vocational Alliance Vocational Alliance

LADSE
The LaGrange Area Department of Special Education
Vocational Alliance
Business and Education Partnerships 2013 - 2014
Building Bridges, Connecting Students, and Driving Success
LADSE
Vocational Alliance
Building the Future Now
‘A YEAR IN REVIEW ’ 2013 - 2014
LADSE Vocational Alliance Business Education
Partnerships 2013 - 2014
Thank you to the following businesses for their partnership with the Vocational Alliance members: Lyons
Township High School District 204, Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Program of DuPage West Cook and LADSE. These business partnerships are key to student
vocational growth and successful transition into the world of work.
Together, we are “Building the Future Now”.
LADSE
Vocational Alliance
Building the Future Now
Adventist Hinsdale Hospital
Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital
AIS
Alex & Aldo’s Restaurant
Altrust Financial Institute
AMC Theater - Cicero
Aramark
Athletico - LaGrange Park
Aurellios
AutonomyWorks
Bannerville USA
Berwyn Park District
Berwyn Police Department
Berwyn Recreation Center
Bill’s Place
Bolingbrook Trout Farm
Bottles & Bottega
Bounce Sportsplex
Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo - Hamil Family Play Zoo
Burger King - Countryside
Cantata
Catapult
Catnap from the Heart
Chicago Firehouse Restraurant
Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort
Chicago First Church of the Nazarene
Clever Girl
Cold Stone Creamery
Community Nurse Carousel Shop
Community Park District of LaGrange Park
C & W Construction
Daley Mohan & Groble, PC
David Marino, Attorney at Law
Dips & Dogs
Dunkin Donuts - Countryside
EcoManiacs
Elysium Salon & Spa
Emeritus of Burr Ridge
Family Video
First United Methodist Church of LaGrange
Fontano’s
Fuller’s Home & Hardware
Grace Episcopal Church
Great American Bagel
Greater LaGrange YMCA
Harley Davidson
Heartland Bank and Trust Company
Helping Hand Center
Hinsdale Family Medical Center
Hinsdale Food Pantry
Hinsdale Humane Society
Hinsdale Public Works
Hinsdale South High School
Hobo
Hodgkin’s Library
Hodgkins Park District
Hollywood Motors
Hyatt Lodge - Oak Brook
Illinois Masonic Children’s Home
Impact Dance Studio
Indian Prairie Public Library
Jackson Square Mall
Jewel - LaGrange Park
Jewel - West Chicago
Jewel Osco - Wood Dale
Jostens
Kensington Preschool - LaGrange Highlands
LADSE Learning Center
LaGrange Public Library
Little People’s Country Day Care
Loyola Center for Fitness
Loyola University Health System
Loyola University of Chicago
Lyons Township High School
MacNeal Hospital
Magic Nails - Countryside
Mariano’s - Western Springs
MAAS Auto
Mc Donald’s - Hinsdale
Mc Donald’s - Countryside
Mc Donald’s - Oak Brook
Midwest Operating Engineers
Money Management Educators
Montessori Pebbles Preschool
More Than Hair
New Hair Image
Now Serving
Oak Park Tennis and Fitness Center
Off Broadway Pub
Palmer Place
Panera Bread
Park District of LaGrange
PartsTrader
Past Reflections NFP
Personalization Mall
Pizza Hut - LaGrange
Pleasantdale Park District
Pleasantview Fire Department
Plymouth Place
Portillo’s
Q-BBQ
Quest Foods
Radius Product Development
Republic Bank - Hodgkins
Right Fit - Sport Fitness Wellness, LLC
Riverside Brookfield High School
Riverside Public Library
RML Speciality Hospital
Rolling Lanes
Ronald McDonald House
Ryan’s Public House
Seasons Hospice
ShredderWorks
Shriner Hospital for Children
Silver Cross Hospital
Snackers
St. Barbara Church
St. Francis Borgia Church
Subcon Packing & Assembly
Target - Hodgkins
Target - Wheaton
The Autobarn Subaru
The Autobarn Volkswagen
The Barker Shop
The Evaluation Center
The LeaderShop
TJ Maxx
Total Life Chiropractic
Turano Bakery Company
Uncle Bub’s
UPS
Village of Brookfield/Recreation
Village True Value Hardware
Village Veterinary
Vulcan Materials, Inc
Walgreens
Walgreens - Indian Head Park
Walgreens - LaGrange
Walgreens - West Chicago
Walgreens - Western Springs
Walmart
Weimer Machine
West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry
From LADSE’s
Executive Director
I want to express my
great appreciation
for every member of
LADSE’s Vocational
Alliance. This year
there are 145 business
education partnership
honorees, all of whom
made this year
especially productive.
LADSE’s partnerships begin with the high school
districts it serves, Lyons Township High School District
204 and Riverside Brookfield High School District 208
and with the Secondary Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Program of the Du Page West Cook region. Together,
we enrich career opportunities for approximately 300
students with disabilities every year. LADSE
implemented a revised model for serving students this
year. 1.2.Connect integrated LADSE staff and a new
vocational curriculum into LADSE high school programs.
In calendar Year 2013, three hundred fifteen (315)
students were served in programs funded primarily by
either the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) or the
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership).
Both DRS and The Partnership provide LADSE with a
strong foundation for student success.
DRS brought a new program, Project SEARCH, to
LADSE in 2013 and a coalition of community agencies
including Helping Hand, school districts and employers
will make it a reality in 2014. Most notable is the Adventist
LaGrange Community Hospital is the host site for
Project SEARCH.
For over 20 years, LADSE has maintained Transition
Experience sites at Loyola University Health Systems
and the Oak Brook Hills Resort. Approximately 14
students per year learn important job skills through
these placements.
Welcome Vulcan Materials, Turano Bakery, and
Destination Resorts to the LADSE Employer Advisory
Board. I am continually inspired by the commitment of
all members of the Advisory Board and by the support
of our Chamber. It simply would not be possible to
accomplish this much without our network of business
partnerships. Thank you!
Dr. Sheri Wernsing
Executive Director
LADSE Vocational Programs and Services offer a collection of vocational education programs and transition planning opportunities
for students, families and member districts. Because of our funding partnerships partnerships with the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation
Services and the Workforce Investment Act, through the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, LADSE district students have
opportunities for quality year-round work learning and work experience. Adding the business education partnerships developed through
the Vocational Alliance members, this design supports student growth and success through academic and vocational experiences.
West Suburban Chamber
of Commerce & Industry
Katherine Leibforth,
Foundation Director
Funding Partners
LADSE Host Site Partnerships
Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) recognizes the value of
work learning and work experience for students with disabilities while they
are in high school. The LADSE/DRS partnership began as a pilot and grew
to a statewide model as a work experience support system for transition age
students. While in high school, the DRS Transition Specialist works with
students and families and districts by providing guidance and counseling,
work learning and work experience opportunities. The specialist also assists
students in identifying linkages to post high school supports.
At a Program Host Site students learn specific job tasks, with LADSE
coach assistance, and increase their skills by working side-by-side with an
employee mentor.
The LADSE/DRS Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP) is
sponsored by the IL Division of Rehabilitation Services. Services are
designed to help eligible students achieve their goals in employment,
education and independent living. During calendar year 2013, the DRS
Transition Specialist worked with 297 STEP students.
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) aims
to improve services, reduce costs and support job creation and economic
development across the Cook County workforce system. This collaborative
partnership has supported highly successful opportunities for youth throughout
the LADSE service area.
The Partnership assists LADSE by supporting innovative programs that allow
for implementation of best practices and coordinated student engagement with
the business community. At LADSE, The Partnership supports a year-round
work program which includes vocational counseling, work learning and
work experience. This year LADSE staff worked with 17 business partners
and 50 students through this partnership. Students had over 4,000 hours of
work experience across a variety of work sites.
Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort Learning in the hospitality industry offers
well rounded experiences in a variety of settings. Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort
has a firm commitment to student growth by supporting vocational learning in
real work settings guided by an employee mentor. This year, the 22nd year as
a Host Site Partner with LADSE, eight student associates worked side-by-side
with key employees learning skills in the areas of food prep and kitchen,
laundry, shipping and receiving, conference/event services, lobby services and
room service preparation.
Loyola University Health System offers many opportunities for hands-on
work learning in areas of student interest. This year, five students gained
specific technical and soft skills within many areas of the hospital: mail room,
patient transport, linen room, OR materials and the Child Life unit. Now in the
21st year of partnership, Loyola staff commitment to student learning continues
and is made possible by dedicated employee mentors.
Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital Project SEARCH Program
The Project SEARCH program model has global success with over 280
programs worldwide. In fall of 2014, a collaborative partnership of
Adventist LaGrange, LADSE, Helping Hand, IL Division of Rehabilitation
Services and the IL Division Developmental Disabilities will give 12 students,
from LADSE and surrounding districts, an opportunity to participate in this
internship-based vocational program.
The 2014 Annual Business Appreciation Breakfast
This annual event is a celebration of all business education partnerships and
many student achievements throughout the year. The Appreciation Breakfast
sponsors make this celebration possible. Thank you to this year’s business
sponsors: Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort, UPS, Vulcan Materials,
PartsTrader, Money Management Educators and Phillips Florist.
2
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Ken Grunke,
Executive Director
This past year was a significant year of reflection
for the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (WSCCI), looking at ways to foster future
leaders. The Chamber took pause to review its priorities
and vision and, in response, listened to community
businesses, providing strategic and thoughtful service
and support through various events, workshops and
networking opportunities.
The Chamber was fortunate to continue the tradition
of engaging its future leaders through its partnership
with the educational businesses, Lyons Township
and Riverside Brookfield High Schools, to continue
the ever-popular Reality Store. This program allows
students to learn about the challenges of adult life as
a professional and contributor to the economy.
A community service video project, in partnership
with and led by the Rotary Club of La Grange, raised
awareness of the Chamber’s regional nonprofit business
partners and the resources they provide to businesses,
their employees and the communities they serve. In
particular, a section addressing the developmental
disability population highlighted the efforts of
critical community businesses such as LADSE,
Helping Hand Rehabilitation and Community
Support Services, while a section addressing youth
services brought awareness to businesses such as
The LeaderShop, The YMCA and ACES.
The Chamber closed out the year with the hiring of its
new Executive Director, Ken Grunke, celebrating 2013
and toasting to an exciting 2014. The West Suburban
Chamber of Commerce and Industry continues to
strive to be an organization instrumental in creating
an environment in which businesses can succeed.
More importantly, the Chamber continues to be a
critical partner in contributing to the creation of a
healthier community where we can all live, play and
work. To be a part of the Chamber vision and its
membership, please contact 708-387-7550 or visit
www.wscci.org.
Hinsdale South Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
Distinctive Programs
1.2.Connect – A new Vocational Education Job Club model
facilitates student understanding of the world of work within their
Resource, Vocational Class or within Saturday Workshops, based
on their school schedule. The student’s goal is to gain skills in key
areas of employment preparation, job seeking and job maintenance
which leads to future success as an employee. The curriculum is
taught in a collaborative partnership with vocational staff from the
student’s school. Sixty-four students from Riverside Brookfield and
Lyons Township High Schools are enrolled.
Post-Secondary Fair – held at Holiday Inn William Tell in Countryside,
the annual College and Post High School Resource Fair is open to
LADSE districts and surrounding communities. This year, over
150 people attended and visited with 40 vendors representing 15
colleges/universities, 10 vocational programs and 15 community
resources to help students and their families plan for post high
school education and vocational programming.
by Candy Cunningham, Vocational Coordinator
This year, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program serviced 46 DRS
clients. Thirty (30) students participated in the DHH work program.
Student were placed in 59 work training placements with most having
three training opportunities throughout the school year. Our program
currently supports eight competitively employed students in nine
companies. Competitive jobs are in the following communities:
WoodDale, West Chicago, Cicero, Downers Grove, Oak Park,
LaGrange Park, Wheaton, and Lombard.
Our work training sites continue to be excellent opportunities for
students to learn a variety of experiences such as clerical, animal
care, health care, janitorial, data entry, restock, light production, and
food service skills. Two students also participated in specific skills
training at the Technology Center of DuPage. The strength of our
program continues to be the support we receive from teachers, support
staff, and job coaches who reinforce strong work habits both in the
classroom and at work. Thanks to all students, supervisors, and staff
for another successful year. Thank you to our businesses and
employers, who provide the many opportunities for our students.
Lyons Township High School LIFE Program, North Campus Work Program
and the Transition Program
Cara Brown, LTHS Transition Coordinator and Dave Paske, LTHS Vocational Coordinator
Career Academy - A unique career immersion program for juniors
who are planning to attend College or Vocational Training after
high school. Since its inception in 2005, over 120 students have
completed the Career Academy summer program. In June, twelve
students will join this award-winning program to identify their
talents, skills and interests and match their individual profile to
career clusters, the first step to a successful career path. Riverside
Brookfield High School is hosting the 2014 Career Academy.
ShredderWorks at Riverside Brookfield High School offers work
experience for students and full shredding services for businesses and
the community. In its eleventh year, 14 students participated in this
in-school business work experience. Together they shredded a total
of 9,054 pounds of documents for 32 customers! Please call
ShredderWorks at 708.442.9997 for your document destruction needs.
Lyons Township High School had approximately 60 students
participating in work programming through the LIFE Program, North
Campus Work Program and the Transition Program. The programs
strive to develop new training opportunities and expanding upon
current sites to provide experiences that promote independence and
build skills for employment. The Transition Program has had
continued success with their in school business, Transition Works,
which includes Transition Perks-coffee business, Coaster Creations
and the LaGrange Farmers Market stand. The LTHS work programs
have developed new community partnerships with WalgreensWestern Springs and LaGrange, Grand Ave. Preschool, Clever Girl,
Palmer Place, Snacker’s Café, Hanson Center, Holiday Inn-William
Tell, MAAS Auto, Dunkin Donuts-Countryside, Elements Spa, and
EcoManiac’s. Currently, students are employed at Adventist
LaGrange Hospital, Total Life Chiropractor, Berwyn Police Department,
Jewel-LaGrange Park, Now Serving, McDonalds, Walmart and
Mariano’s. We appreciate the commitment and continued support
of our community partners.
Riverside Brookfield High School Vocational and Transition Programs
Ronnie Carey, Transition Specialist
Next Steps: the Transition Series is a training series for parents of children with disabilities. The LADSE NEXT STEPS team of trainers
offers 5 workshops for parents in the fall of each year. Ninety-two parents attended the Fall Workshop series. Additionally, team
members have presented transition information to 32 University of Illinois students, 17 parents from a local Parent Network, and 18 families
from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. The 2014 Fall NEXT STEPS series will be hosted by Community Support Services at their
location in Brookfield on Tuesday evenings, 6:00-8:30pm, October 7th through November 11th.
This year the combined transition and vocational programs of
Riverside Brookfield High School have supported 23 students in 34
different work experiences, in partnership with 14 different employers.
Our new employer partners this year are Family Video in Westchester,
Jackson Square Mall in LaGrange and the Library at Brookfield Zoo.
This year we have continued to expand opportunities for students to
connect with programs and support services outside of the school.
The number of students accessing DRS services for college and work
related a goal has increased by 43%. The number of students accessing
work education and experience programs such as the LADSE Career
Academy and The Partnership work programs has increased as well.
Over 35 students of Riverside Brookfield High have participated in the
new LADSE vocational-based curriculum, 1.2.Connect, where they
are learning the important skills needed for finding and maintaining
employment. This year we have expanded the computer based learning
options through the MECA (Microcomputer Evaluation of Careers and
Academics) Program which allows to students to learn specific career
information and work skills as well as skills for personal achievement.
As always, we are grateful for all the wonderful program opportunities
through LADSE and our other community partners. We are especially
grateful to all the employers that open their businesses and give of their
time to assist our students in learning the valuable work skills they will
need to successfully enter the workforce and achieve their dreams.
Unique Initiatives
Autism Speaks/AutonomyWorks/LADSE Partners in
Grant Initiative AutonomyWorks and the LADSE team
are partnering to develop a job training deck for transitioning
students in high school who have Autism and other Social
Communication needs. The training will consist of 5 modules
of data prep skills for Process Execution type jobs along
with 10 lessons on Social Communication in the Workplace.
This product is now in the testing stage and will be available
nationally for high school transition programs in the fall via
Autism Speaks.
Brookfield Zoo Disability Awareness Training
LADSE partnered with Brookfield Zoo this year by assisting their
staff in the development of a Disability Awareness training
as part of a new initiative in training for Volunteer Mentors.
The Zoo’s leadership team is also incorporating a segment on
Disability Awareness in their training for all zoo staff as part
of the on-boarding process for new hires. We appreciate the
opportunity to expand awareness and accessibility with the
Brookfield Zoo team.
The LADSE Employer Advisory Board is a vital link between business and education throughout the Vocational
Alliance communities. Together we provide expanded vocational opportunities for students to learn explore and
experience real work in real work environments. Thank you to our Employer Advisory Board members for their
vision and commitment to our students and our business and community partnerships.
Meet Our Employer Advisory Board
Stephen Pleimling, Chair, Elmhurst College
Gary Erickson, Co-Chair, Money Management Educators
Tina Beverly, Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort
Lauren Farina, Loyola University Health System
Gregg Glotzbach, UPS
Louis Hamer, IL Division of Rehabilitation Services
Mesha Jackson, WalMart
Sharon Kacsits, Turano Bakery
Katherine Leibforth, West Suburban Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
Judy Matijevich, PartsTrader
Eugene Ognibene, Heartland Bank
Johnetta Ryan, CISCO
LADSE Vocational Alliance Business Education
Partnerships 2013 - 2014
Thank you to the following businesses for their partnership with the Vocational Alliance members: Lyons
Township High School District 204, Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Program of DuPage West Cook and LADSE. These business partnerships are key to student
vocational growth and successful transition into the world of work.
Together, we are “Building the Future Now”.
Adventist Hinsdale Hospital
Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital
AIS
Alex & Aldo’s Restaurant
Altrust Financial Institute
AMC Theater - Cicero
Aramark
Athletico - LaGrange Park
Aurellios
AutonomyWorks
Bannerville USA
Berwyn Park District
Berwyn Police Department
Berwyn Recreation Center
Bill’s Place
Bolingbrook Trout Farm
Bottles & Bottega
Bounce Sportsplex
Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo - Hamil Family Play Zoo
Burger King - Countryside
Cantata
Catapult
Catnap from the Heart
Chicago Firehouse Restraurant
Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort
Chicago First Church of the Nazarene
Clever Girl
Cold Stone Creamery
Community Nurse Carousel Shop
Community Park District of LaGrange Park
C & W Construction
Daley Mohan & Groble, PC
David Marino, Attorney at Law
Dips & Dogs
Dunkin Donuts - Countryside
EcoManiacs
Elysium Salon & Spa
Emeritus of Burr Ridge
Family Video
First United Methodist Church of LaGrange
Fontano’s
Fuller’s Home & Hardware
Grace Episcopal Church
Great American Bagel
Greater LaGrange YMCA
Harley Davidson
Heartland Bank and Trust Company
Helping Hand Center
Hinsdale Family Medical Center
Hinsdale Food Pantry
Hinsdale Humane Society
Hinsdale Public Works
Hinsdale South High School
Hobo
Hodgkin’s Library
Hodgkins Park District
Hollywood Motors
Hyatt Lodge - Oak Brook
Illinois Masonic Children’s Home
Impact Dance Studio
Indian Prairie Public Library
Jackson Square Mall
Jewel - LaGrange Park
Jewel - West Chicago
Jewel Osco - Wood Dale
Jostens
Kensington Preschool - LaGrange Highlands
LADSE Learning Center
LaGrange Public Library
Little People’s Country Day Care
Loyola Center for Fitness
Loyola University Health System
Loyola University of Chicago
Lyons Township High School
MacNeal Hospital
Magic Nails - Countryside
Mariano’s - Western Springs
MAAS Auto
Mc Donald’s - Hinsdale
Mc Donald’s - Countryside
Mc Donald’s - Oak Brook
Midwest Operating Engineers
Money Management Educators
Montessori Pebbles Preschool
More Than Hair
New Hair Image
Now Serving
Oak Park Tennis and Fitness Center
Off Broadway Pub
Palmer Place
Panera Bread
Park District of LaGrange
PartsTrader
Past Reflections NFP
Personalization Mall
Pizza Hut - LaGrange
Pleasantdale Park District
Pleasantview Fire Department
Plymouth Place
Portillo’s
Q-BBQ
Quest Foods
Radius Product Development
Republic Bank - Hodgkins
Right Fit - Sport Fitness Wellness, LLC
Riverside Brookfield High School
Riverside Public Library
RML Speciality Hospital
Rolling Lanes
Ronald McDonald House
Ryan’s Public House
Seasons Hospice
ShredderWorks
Shriner Hospital for Children
Silver Cross Hospital
Snackers
St. Barbara Church
St. Francis Borgia Church
Subcon Packing & Assembly
Target - Hodgkins
Target - Wheaton
The Autobarn Subaru
The Autobarn Volkswagen
The Barker Shop
The Evaluation Center
The LeaderShop
TJ Maxx
Total Life Chiropractic
Turano Bakery Company
Uncle Bub’s
UPS
Village of Brookfield/Recreation
Village True Value Hardware
Village Veterinary
Vulcan Materials, Inc
Walgreens
Walgreens - Indian Head Park
Walgreens - LaGrange
Walgreens - West Chicago
Walgreens - Western Springs
Walmart
Weimer Machine
West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry