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Committed to Excellence...
Improving Outcomes for All Students |
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Committed to Excellence...
Improving Outcomes for All Students |
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The LADSE Employer Advisory Board became an integrel part of what we do the moment it was formed in 1999. The members of the Employer Advisory Board are representatives from various industries and are committed to working in an advisory capacity to strengthen our programs and services. They create opportunities that promote student growth and real world exposure to learn about the world of work and the role of the worker.
The Employer Advisory Board is a catalyst for new initiatives, networking with other employers and offer guidance on work programming, leveraging resources within the community and raising employer awareness of the abilities of the students and young adults we serve.
LADSE is known to be a leader in vocational vision. For example, the LADSE staff piloted a vocational partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) in 1968 which laid the foundation for a statewide network of collaboration between the adult service world of vocational services and the school systems.
The Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services co-sponsors work and work related training programs that benefit over 200 students in LADSE districts. Once in the DRS system, a connection is made to continue with DRS adult vocational counselors when the student graduates high school, designed for a seamless support system for employment and career services.
The DRS and LADSE partnership provides a program called STEP, the Secondary Transition Experience Program where students have the opportunity to learn about the world of work and the role of the worker.
"The outcome of all education is work."
Barb Cervenka, LADSE Work Training Facilitator, Parent
Another partnership with adult services is the LADSE Workforce Investment Act Program (WIA). Over 80 students from Districts 208 and 204 have summer work experience opportunities to assist them in gaining work experience and weekend workshop opportunities to learn about concepts related to employment, college and career options, and personal growth.
We believe that all students should have the opportunity to build their skills that lead to reaching their full independence in employment, being part of the community, and being engaged in social recreational activities.
At the Vocational Alliance we provide a menu of educational and experiential programming for students, parents and staff and others on topics related to transition planning. To find out more about the opportunities we provide, just click on the links below.
Next Steps: The Transition Series is a five workshop training series for parents and family members covering transition topic areas. Our team of trainers offers this series annually beginning on the first Tuesday in October and for four Tuesdays thereafter. This training is free and registration is required.
Quote: "I would recommend this Next Steps series for all parents of students with disabilities-even those in elementary school." Burr Ridge Parent
The Career Academy is a unique summer offering for students who are juniors, rising seniors who have targeted college or vocational training as their post high school plan. This program takes students from self-discovery through finding options that match their personal profile. With a design of in-class and in-the-field learning, students create a personal portfolio that they present to their team in the fall. For more information...
ShredderWorks is a micro enterprise document shredding program at Riverside Brookfield High School. This business program gives students an opportunity to not only learn about document destruction but they also have the opportunity to develop skills around the art of runing a business. ShredderWorks is so successful that it has been duplicated at area high schools, the greatest complement of all. For an informational video go to...
Skill Training Programs at Oak Brook Hills Resort and Loyola University Medical Center are two business sites in the community who have been part of the STEP program offerings to students who are interested in building skills specific to jobs that match their interests and abilities. There is a Training Facilitator at each site which works alongside the department staff in training students to perform the specific tasks of their job. For more information...
Volunteer Training at Brighton Gardens and Brookfield Zoo. These sites have opened their doors to pre-volunteer training opportunities as not only a work related experience for students, but gives them an opportunity for success in volunteer after high school. Volunteerism is an important responsibility that parallels work, with a bonus of giving back to the community.
Post Secondary Fair is an annual event, hosted by LADSE, which offers students and families opportunities to gather information from and visit with a variety of colleges and university representativies prepared to discuss their offerings and their support services for people with disabilities. In addition to the colleges and universities are local and national vocational training programs, area service providers and other vendors available. This event is scheduled in November each year.