Aspire’s Employment Training Program

Aspire’s Employment Training Program is hosting a Distribution Open House on March 5, June 3 and September 2. 

DATES/TIMES:

• Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. OR 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. OR 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. OR 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

LOCATION: Aspire Weinberg Career and Life Enrichment Academy (4110 Litt Drive, Hillside, IL 60162)

Learn more about Aspire’s new Employment Training Program – and see if it’s a fit for you!

What will be covered?

• Overview of the Program and Internship
• Eligibility Requirements
• Application Process and Timeline
• Q+A about the Program
     

Makers Space on-site at Little Friends

Develop new STEM skills on-site at Little Friends with tangible take-home projects every class! Click here for more info.

• DATES/TIMES: Mondays & Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  Session 1 = March 9 to April 22 (no class week of March 30) / Session 2 = May 4 to June 10
• COST: $250 per 6-week session

Questions? Contact [email protected] or 630-355-6533. 
    

Career Exploration Camp (PAEP)

Let us take you on a journey to explore various employment industries! Join Parents Alliance Employment Project for an exciting, hands-on camp experience designed to introduce participants to a variety of career paths and employment opportunities for individuals 18 years and older with disabilities.

Summer 2026 Camp will run from June 8th to July 31st
TIME: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
DAYS: Tuesday/Thursday/Friday
LOCATION: Parents Alliance Employment Project (2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 120, Lisle, IL 60532)
COST: 4 Week Camp = $800   /   8 Week Camp: $1,600

Applications are now available. Eligibility guidelines apply. Contact us for more information: Taylor Selesky, Program Manager. [email protected] / 630-666-6945
   

Packing emPOWERMENT (PAEP)

Packing emPowerment for individuals with disabilities. Join the Packing emPowerment Summer Camp program offered by your elite and trusted supported employment agency, PAEP! Designed to offer a variety of manufacturing partners and topics each week to learn key job skills and increase awareness of the manufacturing career path.

Camp will run from June 8th to July 31st
TIME: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
DAYS: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (Optional)
LOCATION: Parents Alliance Employment Project (2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 120, Lisle, IL 60532)

Monday = Classroom. Wednesday = Classroom and Zoom with our featured manufacturing partner. Friday = On-site tour at our featured manufacturing partner.

Make this summer count at Packing emPowerment Camp! Applications are available, and eligibility guidelines apply. Contact us for more information: Taylor Selesky, Program Manager. [email protected] / 630-666-6945
www.parents-alliance.org

NEXT STEPS: The Transition Series

Join the NEXT STEPS team of DuPage County as we present NEXT STEPS: The Transition Series.
Each night will focus on a new topic of planning for a student’s successful transition from school to adult life. Free and open to the public. No registration is required.

All workshops will be presented virtually. Join via Zoom using the link below. 

• Next Steps Zoom meeting link

WORKSHOP 1 – Tuesday, February 10, 2026 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
Understanding How to Access Government Funding for Community, Residential and Home Services: Service Inc. representatives will discuss the PUNS list and the use of Medicaid waivers to fund programs for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Arc of Illinois will discuss other Medicaid waiver funded services.

WORKSHOP 2 – Tuesday, February 24, 2026 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
Financial Planning: During this workshop, attorney Stacey Dembo will discuss what parents of transition age students need to know about social security. Rosemary Laundani from the Illinois State Treasurer’s office will discuss ABLE accounts.

WORKSHOP 3 – Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
Vocational Options: This workshop will focus on a variety of vocational opportunities available after high school/transition. Parents Alliance Employment Project, Aspire and Little City will discuss a variety of employment training programs and vocational support through their respective agencies.

WORKSHOP 4 – Tuesday, March 24, 2025 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)
Options and Skills Needed for Post-secondary Programming: Our final workshop will focus on opportunities available after transition. Special recreation representatives from WDSRA will discuss various programming and recreation opportunities. College of DuPage representatives will discuss IDEA and ADA accommodations at the college level, as well as, developmental courses available at the college. Elmhurst University will discuss their ELSA program.

All workshops are designed to be individual trainings. You may attend one or all four workshops in the series.

Questions? Contact Erin Hoving at [email protected] or 630-942-6783. Sara Tatham at [email protected] or 630-548-7174.

 

Day Program Tours

Wondering what day programs are available to your child after transition? Join us for an opportunity to tour and learn about available options in the area.

DATES/LOCATION TBD

Please RSVP for this event to Erin Hoving at [email protected] or 630.942.6783.

Ligas Family Advocate Program

LFAP provides broad outreach to Illinois adults and families who are selected from the PUNS or notified in advance of a future PUNS selection. Webinars are held to support navigation of the adult developmental disabilities system and uncover outside-the-box solutions.

Endorsed By: The Arc of Illinois
Date: Monthly – 1st Thursday
Time: TBD via Zoom

Click here for upcoming event details and registration links!

Transition Planning Committee (TPC) Meetings

TPC is made up of representatives from local special education districts and cooperatives, community providers, Division of Rehabilitation Services staff, adult service providers and parents. The committee has banded together to improve the transition experience from high school to successful adult life for young adults with disabilities. New participants are always welcome. Dates to be announced.

Coffee-Time Conversation

This is an informal discussion group that welcomes anyone who is interested in meeting other parents/caregivers of young adults with disabilities.  Dates will be announced soon.
Contact person: Erin Hoving, [email protected] or 630-942-6783.