Introduction to

employment resources
for youth and families
with Autism in
Northwest Suburban

This guide is designed to help student

and families on their beginning steps in
exploring employment services. People
with disabilities especially those with
Autism Spectrum Disorder are employed
at a significantly lower rate than their
typically developing peers. Employment
is a concern and exploration should start
early in a personal life.
Adult services are agencies that
specialize in working with people with
disabilities. This often includes people
with ASD. These agencies also generally
have other services such as residential
and community training that is not
explored in this guide. Feel free to follow
the links and explore these agencies for
other services that may help you now
and in the future.

Government
Agencies:

Department of Human Services,

Office of Rehabilitation Services.
Address
442 N. Mclean
OFFERS SUPPORTS FOR JOB
City, State
Elgin, IL 60120
DEVELOPMENT,
Phone
847-931-2360
Funding
Free services
PLACEMENT, AND SUPPORT.
from state and
POSSIBLE EDUCATIONAL
federal funds.
SUPPORT FOR CAREERS.
Comments: Vocational Support
Services. To be eligible you must
have an identified disability. State
funded through Matching Federal
Funds. Offices vary by client address.
See web link to find your local office.
DRS is often the funding agent for
adult vocational services.

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29764

DayOne Network/Pact Inc.

Address
1551 E. Fabyan
Parkway
City, State
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone
630-879-2277
Funding
Medicaid wavier,
DHS funds
Comments: This is the entry point for
all DD services. You must complete a
PUNS interview and update yearly to
maintain eligibility for services. Call
for information on other geographic
areas.

Medicaid Waivers for DD

services.
Case Management, Home
Services, Residential
services, assistance for
Vocational Services

http://www.dayonenetwork.org/

DHS: Office of Developmental

Disabilities
Address
830 S. Spring
City, State
Springfield, IL
62704
Phone
888-DD-PLANS
Funding
State Funds
Comments: Information and referral
to local coordination agencies

Information and
Referral to Local
Coordination Agencies
such as DayOne/Pact.

http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?
item=29733

Kane County Department of

Employment and Educations
Address
1 Smoketree
Business Park Suite
A
City, State
North Aurora, IL
60542
Phone
630-966-1435
Funding
Free services
through WIOA,
Comments: Generic services and
programs to assist with Employment
and Training.

Summer Youth
Employment Programs,
Education programs,
and support.

http://www.kcdee.org/

Illinois WorkNet Center

Address
700 S. State St.
City, State
Elgin, IL 60120
Phone
847-931-2700
Funding
Free Services,
WIOA funding
Comments: Various Offices in the
region. Assistance completed mostly
with online assistance. These are
generic services for employment.

Generic Employment Support

Services. Many agencies
offering access to this Online
support system.

https://www2.illinoisworknet.com/

Specialized
Programs:
http://bestbuddies.org/what-we-do/jobsprogram/

Best Buddies Illinois

Address

101 West Grand Ave., Suite

400
City, State
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone
312-82/-9313
Funding
Free services, Private
funding
Comments: New and growing program for integrated
employment. Other services include social and
recreation support.

New Program: Can

Help You find a job
and offers on the job
support.

http://icre-roosevelt.org/?page_id=755

Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and

Education Roosevelt
Address
1950 W.
Roosevelt Rd
City, State
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone
312-433-3100
Funding
DRS Funding
Comments: Help in training on
starting your own business. Must
apply for admission through DRS.
This is an incubator program

Support for selfemployment. Printing,

Audio and Video available.

http://aspiritech.org/
Work in the field of
software testing.
Apply online for
consideration for
employment. No
experience needed.

Aspiritech
Address

1893 Sheridan
Rd.
City, State
Highland Park, IL
60035
Phone
314-945-8378
Funding
Private
Comments: This is a business that
hires people with High Functioning
Autism and Aspergers Syndrome to
work in the field of software testing.

http://www.bridgestowork.org/locations/chicago/res
ources/

Bridges from School To Work

Address
850 W. Jackson
Employment and Training in
Blvd.
the areas of House Keeping,
City, State
Chicago, IL 60607
Food Service and
Phone
312-432-6240
Maintenance through the
Funding
DRS Funded
Corporation.
Comments: Work training Marriott
and
employment at various jobs with the
Marriott Corporation. Locations in
Chicago and Suburbs. Call your Local
DRS Office for consideration in this
program.

http://www.donkainc.org/
Donka, Inc.
Address

400 N. County
Farm Rd.
City, State
Wheaton, IL
60187
Phone
630-655-8169
Funding
Private Pay, Free
for DuPage
County Citizens
Comments: Support and computer
training mostly for people with
physical disabilities. Some job
placement support and workplace
adaptations.

Computer training and

adaptation for support
in life and on the job.

http://elgin.edu/students.aspx?
id=7832

ECC: Workforce Transitions

Address
Building K.
Spartan Dr
City, State
Elgin, IL 60123
Phone
847-214-6901
Funding
Private pay, WIOA
funding
Comments: Generic Services for Soft
Skills Training and job search skills.
Must apply for services through ECC.

Training in resumes, job

search skills and
education.

Additional Resources for

Employment

http://www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/default.
aspx

IDES
Address

723 W Algonquin
Rd
City, State
Arlington Heights,
IL 60005
Phone
847-981-7400
Funding
Free services
Comments: Generic services from the
unemployment office. Then can
provide information and referral for
employment programs.

The Employment Office.

Job search support and
referral.

http://www.cod.edu/programs/vocational/inde
x.aspx

COD: Vocational Skills Program

Address
425 Fawell Blvd.,
City, State
Glen Ellyn IL
60137
Phone
630-942-4591
Funding
Private Pay
Comments: This is a program through
the College of DuPage for people with
disabilities. Vocational and life skills
training are the main focus of this
program.

College Vocational
Skills Program for
People with Autism and
Intellectual Disabilities.

http://www.snagajob.com/
Job Search engine for
entry level jobs in your
area.

Adult Service Agencies

http://www.the-association.org/

Day Programing
Job placement and
The Association for Individual
Development
Development
Address
City, State
Phone
Funding

1135 BowesEnclave
Road
work in
Elgin, IL 60123
landscaping and
847-931-6200
Janitorial Services.
Medicaid Waiver
and Private Pay
Comments: Agency serving people
with developmental disabilities.
Sheltered workshop and an autism
day program are available in a
segregated setting. Other services
include residential, community living
and employment services.

https://ray-graham.org/

Services Offered:
Job Development and
Placement
Career counseling
Ray Graham Association
Address
901 Warrenville
Job Coaching
Road, Suite 500
City, State
Lisle, IL
60532 Workshop and Day
Sheltered
Phone
630-620-2222
Programs for People with ASD
Funding
Medicaid Waiver
and Private Pay
Comments: Adult service agency that
provides supported employment
services, job development, residential
and community living support.

http://www.northpointeresources.org/services/intellectualdevelopmental-disabilities/day-services/employmentresources/employment-first/

Services offered:
Customized
Employment
North Pointe Resources
Job development and
Address
3441 Sheridan Rd.
placement
City, State
Zion, IL 60099
Phone
847-872-1700
Vocational training
Funding
DRS, Medicaid
Waiver, Private Pay
Job Coaching
Comments: Adult service agency serving
people with ASD and Developmental
Disabilities. One of 2 agencies in the area to
offer customized employment as well as
other employment programs and services.

http://littlefriendsinc.org/Inklude_Studi
o.cfm

Services Offered:
Little Friends
Address
City, State

140 N. Wright St
Naperville, IL
60540
Phone
630-355-6533
Funding
Medicaid Waiver,
Private Pay
Comments: Adult service agency with
segregated vocational training.
Inklude Studio is an art program for
people with Developmental
Disabilities and ASD. Little Friends
also has other segregated
employment training options and
residential services.

Supported Arts Program

for Self-Employment
Day Programs
Prevocational Skills
Training

http://www.cssservices.org/customizedemployment

Community Support Services

Services Offered:
Address
9021 Ogden
Avenue,
Customized
City, State
Brookfield IL
Employment
60513
Phone
630-354-4547
Integrated
employment
Funding
Medicaid
Waiver,
Privatetraining
Pay
and placement.
Comments: Adult Service Agency
providing integrated employment and
customized employment. Other
services include residential and
community living.

http://www.clearbrook.org/page.aspx?pid=408
http://www.clearbrook.org/page.aspx?pid=410
Services Offered:
Autism Center and Resource
listing forJob
Northern Illinois.
Community
Clearbrook
Address

1835 West
Central Road
City, State
Arlington Heights,
IL 60005
Phone
847-870-7711
Funding
Medicaid Waiver,
Private Pay
Comments: Adult Service Agency with
employment and residential services.
Includes Job Development, Placement
and screenings.

Development and
Placement
Job Coaching
Job Screening

Internet Autism
Supported Employment
Support Links
Segregated Workshop
Training

https://www.autismspeaks.org/

http://www.autismillinois.org/

http://www.nicautism.org/

http://theautismprogram.org/about-us/tap-servicenetwork/region-2/

https://rtachicago.com/rider-resources/reducedfare/ride-free-permits

Access and information for the

Disabilities Ride Free Program.
Apply for free access to public
transportation. Individuals must
have SSI or a Doctors Diagnosis of a
Disability to qualify.