Category: Projects

Logo for Workforce Growth Project

Workforce Growth Project

May 10, 2023

A groundbreaking undertaking, generously funded by the Coleman Foundation, The Workforce Growth
Project is an Intersect for Ability collaborative, multi-year project. Over seventy individuals from sixteen social service organizations have come together to tackle one of the industry’s most pressing challenges – recruiting and retaining dedicated staff. It is clear that the project is ambitious and far-reaching. With the help of industry experts, these organizations will gather information, design, and implement solutions to solve these challenges.

Logo for The Current, curriculum for recreation, employment, new skills and technology

The Current

August 20, 2022

Curriculum for Recreation, Employment, New Skills, and Technology Historically, providing high-quality activities has been a priority for organizations, a task often difficult to achieve. Meaningful days filled with intentional activities are crucial for delivering high-quality services. We found that other curricula are either too expensive, designed for children and not respectful of our folks’ age … More The Current

Logo for The GRACE Project

The GRACE Project

February 3, 2022

The GRACE Program was developed to meet the needs of our aging adults with developmental disabilities by allowing them to age in place as they enjoy the company of their peers and staff in an enriched and dynamic – yet slower-paced – lifestyle.

Building Supportive Workplace Cultures (BSWC) – Partnered with PHI International

August 19, 2021

Direct service personnel (DSP) are front-line professionals who interact directly and daily with people with I/DD assisting with the activities of daily living, serving as advocates for those in their care, and enabling these individuals to have the highest quality of life possible. Over the past serval decades, a high turnover rate in the number … More Building Supportive Workplace Cultures (BSWC) – Partnered with PHI International

CHOICE Program

April 4, 2018

Clearbrook, Park Lawn and UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago, members of Intersect for Ability’s network of agencies in the northern Illinois area, have successfully collaborated on projects funded by The Coleman Foundation in the past. These projects include Building Bridges to the Future, The GRACE Project, FIIVE, and Employment First: Bridges to Work Initiative. Each … More CHOICE Program

DSP Recognition Week

February 2, 2017

The recruitment and retention of qualified staff, particularly with Direct Support Professionals (DSP), has become a significant issue for human service agencies in Illinois and across the country. Attracting and retaining a competent workforce is the number one, common priority among partner agencies. As such, brainstorming creative strategies and finding innovative solutions is an identified … More DSP Recognition Week

Applied Behavior Analyst Practicum Program

May 1, 2016

Full Partner Agencies: Barbara Olson Center of Hope, Clearbrook, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, Elim Christian Services, Little Friends Inc, Misericordia Heart of Mercy, PACTT Learning Center, and UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago. For individuals with developmental disabilities, processing a conversation, understanding a request or demand, communicating basic needs or wants, coping with day to day … More Applied Behavior Analyst Practicum Program

ABLE Program

April 1, 2016

Full Partner Agencies: Elim Christian Services The Autism Believing, Living, and Employing (ABLE) Program was funded by The Coleman Foundation during the first grant cycle (August 2009 – August 2010) and addressed all 3 of the focal areas (Staff Training and Retention, Life Stage Transitions, and Employment). Elim (lead agency for the program) realized tremendous … More ABLE Program