Spectrum Vocational Services

A Good Idea

Description

Spectrum Vocational Services is an adult day service for men and women with autism and other developmental disabilities. The program provides subcontracted services to local businesses, including hand assembly work, collating, packaging, and recycling. Individuals with developmental disabilities are paid for their work, which may include light assembly or packaging, and meanwhile develop an understanding of appropriate work habits, attitudes, behavior, and social skills required by employers. By providing job coaching, training, and assistance to prospective employers, the program also helps adults with disabilities find jobs in businesses throughout the community. For men and women with moderate and severe developmental disabilities, the program provides an active day program by combining daily living skills instruction with vocational training and recreation.

Goal / Mission

Spectrum Vocational Services provides individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities the opportunity to achieve career and personal goals.

Results / Accomplishments

Each year, more than 250 adults with developmental disabilities participate in Spectrum's adult day services program. Some receive vocational training and job placement assistance at Spectrum, while others work for local businesses. Evaluation of a participant's success is done on an individual basis, and help staff to identify each person's skills, interests, and workplace behavior.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Little Friends
Primary Contact
Tom Pendziszewski
2302 Wisconsin Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630-852-7520
tomp@lilfriends.com
http://www.littlefriendsinc.com/index.cfm
Topics
Economy / Employment
Health / Disabilities
Community / Civic Engagement
Organization(s)
Little Friends
Date of publication
2010
Location
Downers Grove, IL
For more details
Target Audience
Adults