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Day and Vocational Services

Pioneer offers a wide range of training and vocational services to persons with developmental disabilities.  These services help clients with disabilities find community employment, and/or gain greater independence and quality of life through participation in community and facility based social, recreational, and vocational activities.  Our programs, based on individual client’s needs, range from coaching and support to more intensive levels of support. 

Developmental Training 
This program assists people who have severe and multiple disabilities in developing basic life skills.  Classroom instruction, community integration experiences, and work and leisure opportunities assist in the development of participants’ skills.  The Developmental Training program also incorporates the use of state of the art features such as the Assistive Technology Computer Lab and a deluxe sensory “Snoezelen Room” environment into the curriculum.  Click here to learn more about these special features.
           
Bridges
The Bridges program is designed to provide services to individuals in the Developmental Training program that may be ready to transition into the vocational program.  Conversely, the program also serves individuals from the vocational program that may need more structure or training.  Individuals work on both vocational skills and life skills. 

Vocational Evaluation 
In addition to determining work interests and aptitudes, Vocational Evaluation Services provides a thorough assessment of job skills and job readiness for employment planning for persons with disabilities.  Services can assist in identifying employment accommodations as well.  Employment recommendations are identified to assist persons in their employment planning.  Vocational Evaluation is particularly suited to persons who have been out of the work force because of a disability or for transitioning students just preparing to enter the work force.

School to Work Transition Services
Serving students approaching high school graduation, School to Work Transition Services provides vocational services and employment services to prepare them for the next phase of their lives.  Tailored to the needs of the student, services could include vocational testing, employment planning, transitional work experiences and job placement and employment support services. Assistive technology assessments and training, job readiness and skills training is available, as needed.  Participants also have access to Developmental Training Services, which focuses on developing life skills and activities of daily living.  School to Work Transition Services also provides referral and linkage to other support services promoting independence, including residential programs, community integration and case management.
           
Pioneer Industries   
Utilizing subcontract work, individuals with disabilities are offered hands on vocational training, rehabilitation counseling, and job training skills.  Work experiences both within and outside of the organization help participants develop work skills for competitive employment in the community or long term vocational training. 
           
Employee Development Services (EDS) 
EDS provides assessment of employability and develops employment skills to assist individuals to have access to, and participate fully in, their communities.  This programs develops skilled employees through a diversified time-limited and accessible transitional training program for individuals who dream to develop or re-establish skills, attitudes, personal characteristics, interpersonal skills, work behaviors, and functional capacities to achieve positive employment outcomes.  Students experience volunteer work, job exploration, skills training, computer training, and interviewing.  Graduates enter the work force with a working portfolio, self-inventory profile, and a recorded mock interview.    Services are provided to adolescents and adults with a developmental disability.  EDS is targeted to both students who are transitioning from special education to adult services and to adults who need to develop skills for independent living and competitive employment.  EDS was recognized by the Illinois Association for Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) as one of “the Best of the Best” programs in the State in 2005.
 
Community Employment Services 
The Community Employment Services program assists clients in getting and keeping jobs in the community.  Clients’ preferences and skills are reviewed prior to the job search and once a job is found, staff assist clients in learning the job requirements.  We employ a range of evaluative measures to carefully assess the needs of each person, and pinpoint the most important areas of intervention.  Tailored to each client’s needs, our service ranges from job retention to 100% job coaching support.  Classroom coaching and skills training prepare individual for entry into the Community Employment Services program, or for referral to other job training programs.

            For further information or to enroll in this program, contact:
                        Diane Flicek, Program Manager
                        815-759-7216
                        dflicek@pioneercenter.org
                       

 Stepping Out, Adult Recreation (SOAR) 
formerly Senior Care, provides social, recreational, and personal improvement opportunities for aging adults with developmental disabilities.  The program allows aging adults with developmental disabilities the option of partial or total retirement from their traditional work programs.  The activities promote healthy aging and active retirement lifestyles to these seniors.  Options include individual choice of activity level and frequency of attendance at the program. 

Community-Based Services

Client and Family Support Program 
This program provides community support and services to adults with developmental disabilities.  The goal is to assist the individual in maintaining their community living through the development of daily living skills.

Respite Care Program  
The Respite Care Program provides access to funds, via a voucher reimbursement system, to assist families with members who have disabilities in securing care and services for that person to allow the rest of the family a temporary break from daily care-giving duties.

Home-Based Support Services 
Home-Based Support Services provides resources, supports, and services to assist persons with a developmental disability, aged 18 years and older, to become more independent; either living on their own or with their families. 

Residential Services

The Residential Services Program offers differing levels of support for people with developmental disabilities, based on their needs.  This could include training and supports in the area of daily living skills, economic self-sufficiency, community integration and medication self-administration supports.  Assistance is also provided for recreational and social activities and outings. 

Harvard, Johnsburg, Manke, Marengo, Ponca, Schroeder, and Curran Homes and Silver Creek Townhome 
These eight homes offer daily living skills supports for adults who have developmental disabilities.  Varied levels of support are available to meet the individual needs of those living in the homes. 

Supported Apartments