The Vocational Alliance Autism Project is a three year community focus project in building local capacity to support high school students with autism spectrum disorders in the transition from high school to adult life. The project focuses on team partnerships and person centered planning approaches to assist students and their families in the transition planning process. Twenty-four teams have been formed and include High School Staff, Adult Service Providers, Recreational Programs Staff, Independent Living Centers and Case Management Organizations. The teams were trained on Autism, Person Centered Planning, Transition and Employment. These teams will be available to assist 42 students by the third year of the project. The project is funded by the Community Memorial Foundaction.

What can the Autism Project do for you and your organization?

IN THE PROJECT AREA OUT OF THE PROJECT AREA
Project Coordinator
James Emmett
815.919.9093
Email

Project Assistant
Debra Preston
Email

Team Leaders
Tina Erdman
Jenny Contorno
Matt Sommers
View the most recent VAAP Newsletter in Word format.


Within the Project Area:

What Can We Do For You and Your Organization?
  • Offer a comprehensive training series on person centered planning and autism spectrum disorders
  • Answer your questions on issues related to autism spectrum disorders
  • Provide individualized autism-related training based on your needs - possible training
topics include:
  • The Basics of Autism
  • Communication Techniques
  • Educational Strategies
  • Social Supports
  • School-to-Work Transition Options
  • Job Placement
  • Behavioral Supports
  • Person Centered Planning
  • Career Planning
  • Independent Living
  • Recreation & Community Participation
Self-Advocacy
  • Provide technical assistance to help your organization better support individuals with autism spectrum disorder
  • Answer employer questions on how to tap into this network of skilled job applicants with autism spectrum disorders
  • Provide brief informational sessions to raise community awareness
  • Provide consultation and support to individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families
  • Assist in developing community networks to increase the options for community participation by individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Out of the Project Area:

What Can We Do For You and Your Organization
  • Answer your questions on issues related to autism spectrum disorders
  • Provide information on autism-related training issues - possible training topics include:
The Basics of Autism
  • Communication Techniques
  • Educational Strategies
  • Social Supports
  • School-to-Work Transition Options
  • Job Placement
  • Behavioral Supports
  • Person Centered Planning
  • Career Planning
  • Independent Living
  • Recreation & Community Participation
Self-Advocacy
  • Provide information to help your organization better support individuals with autism spectrum disorder
  • Answer employer questions on how to tap into this network of skilled job applicants with autism spectrum disorders
  • Provide information on how to run brief informational sessions to raise community awareness