CARF has accredited Parents Alliance Employment Project for its Employment Services: Community Employment Services in Job Development, Job Supports, and Job Site Training Programs. Parents Alliance Employment Project is a partner in	About Us
	Our Mission: The Parents Alliance Employment Project is an organization devoted to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities through individualized employment services. Our History: The Parents Alliance Employment Project has existed since 1982 to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain community based employment. The Project is unique in that it was parent initiated, and operated for many years staffed solely by parent volunteers. This network of parents had fought for mainstreaming their children in the public school system. They became proactive when the only employment option for their developmentally disabled young adults was a sheltered workshop placement. Our Funding: The Project relied on donations from service clubs and a strictly volunteer staff until 1985 when the Illinois Department Of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-DRS) chose the agency as one of 26 sites in Illinois to develop Supported Employment programs for persons with disabilities to integrate into their local business communities. Today, the Project receives funding from DRS, DuPage County Human Services, local community high schools, private foundations, service clubs, and individual donations. The Parents Alliance Employment Project is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Outcomes: In 2007, PAEP placed 32 individuals with disabilities into community employment, working on average 17.5 hours per week, making on average $7.36/hour. Our Board of Directors: The Board of Directors is committed to the philosophy of integration of individuals with disabilities. The Board is represented by members from the general community including parents, employers, educators, consumers and various professionals. Pat Loy, Spectrum Vocational Services, Chairperson Gina Strafford, DuPage County Human Services, Vice-Chairperson Laura Myers, Prairie State Legal Services, Secretary Kevin Bradley, McDonald’s Corporation Steve Gustis, College of DuPage Rosalie Scrivo, Lisle High School Chuck Sutcliff, DuPage Workforce Development Parents Alliance Employment Project 2008-2012 Long-Range Plan: Parents Alliance Employment Project is dedicated to focusing on the expectations of the persons served and other stakeholders. PAEP obtains input from clients served, employers, Board of Directors, personnel, and other community partners on an on-going basis, including service evaluations, meetings, and phone surveys. Input is collected to assist PAEP to determine the expectations of the organization’s stakeholders and to better understand how PAEP is performing from the perspective of its stakeholders. The input collected relates directly to services, persons served and business practices. Through the input and feedback provided, the Board of Directors and personnel analyzes the information in a strategic planning session to develop a long-range plan for the organization. The long-range plan is a comprehensive blueprint and is all inclusive of services provided by PAEP and assists the organization in program planning, performance improvement, organizational advocacy, financial planning, and resource planning. Measuring the success and completion of each action item will be documented on a yearly basis and included in a report that will be presented to all PAEP stakeholders. Programs and Services Goal: Continue to offer programs and services that enhance consumer choice. Action Items: a) Employment Coordinator will keep current a “Supported Employment Handbook” that will fully outline information on consumer rights to receive services. The handbook will be updated yearly and staff will provide the handbook to all clients receiving services at point of intake. b) Executive Director will provide yearly training to staff on person-centered planning to use with clients to facilitate informed choices. c) PAEP will increase the number of job placements and expand job industries among persons served. d) Executive Director and staff will review and identify targeted outcomes at the beginning of each year on the following: # of new job placements and dates of hire, wage information, # of hours worked per week, # of clients receiving work benefits, job industry, length of time between date of application to date of intake, length of time between intake date and job placement date, length of time between job placement date to the date a client’s case is closed, # and % of individuals still employed that quarter, and # and % of individuals who increased their duties, wages and/or responsibilities. Outcomes will be reported by staff and tracked quarterly by Employment Coordinator through the outcome measurement report. e) Staff will continue to identify additional barriers encountered by clients served and coordinate community resources that will assist in enhancing the overall quality of life for consumers. Additional community resources will be shared with PAEP staff at monthly staff meetings. f) Employment Coordinator and Community Liaison will closely monitor waiting period for services and inform consumers on a monthly basis of their status. Average wait time for services will be documented in the annual outcome measurement report. Staff will actively engage consumers in job readiness workshops while waiting for services. g) Executive Director will work with staff to identify areas of expansion for job readiness workshops based on consumer feedback. Executive Director and staff will re-visit workshop topics on a yearly basis while putting together workshop brochure. Marketing Goal: To expand awareness of PAEP services and accomplishments. Action Items: a) Executive Director will create a new identity/logo for PAEP by 2008. b) Executive Director and designated staff will provide monthly updates to PAEP website materials and content. c) Executive Director will work with staff and board of directors quarterly to communicate achievements of PAEP to stakeholders through events, press releases, website, and newsletter. d) PAEP staff will develop two new brochures specific to consumers and businesses by 2008. Brochures will be disseminated monthly at local meetings and events. e) Executive Director will offer staff yearly opportunities to participate in area conferences and other networking opportunities to expand awareness of PAEP. Business Development Goal: To develop PAEP business relationships throughout DuPage county. Action Items: a) Executive Director will work with staff to create a brochure specific to the services offered by PAEP to local businesses by 2008. b) Employment Coordinator will work with staff to develop a DVD to assist business in understanding PAEP services after a client is placed into employment by 2008. c) Executive Director and Board of Directors will coordinate a yearly employer recognition event to showcase employers that support PAEP’s mission. d) Staff will attend and conduct quarterly presentations to local Chamber of Commerce meetings and other community groups in which businesses will be present. e) Staff will coordinate PAEP services with the workNet DuPage Career Center business services unit and monthly job fair events to expand the pool of hiring. Fundraising Goal: To develop and maintain financial support of PAEP. Action Items: a) Executive Director will develop and maintain financial support of PAEP through active grant prospecting, proposal preparation, and production. Bi-monthly funding reports will be presented to the board of directors. b) Executive Director and board of directors will solicit additional grant opportunities. c) Executive Director and board of directors will solicit in-kind contributions for supplies and other services. d) Identify and develop relationships with local service clubs. e) Establish and support resource development committee as part of the board of directors to develop a fundraising plan for PAEP by 2009. Leadership Goal: To strengthen PAEP through active leadership roles. Action Items: a) Executive Director and board of directors will identify and recruit potential board members form the business community by 2009. b) Executive Director will engage board members with agency activities and present annual opportunities for board to participate in staff activities and day-to-day operations. c) Executive Director will present and encourage educational training opportunities for board members. d) Board of directors will support and assist Executive Director every three years as needed with maintaining CARF accreditation for PAEP. e) Executive Director will establish thorough governance policies for PAEP. The board of directors will review, update and approve the policies annually. f) Executive Director and board chairperson will assemble orientation material for new board members by 2009. g) The board of directors will establish appropriate board committees to support the strategic plan. Human Resources Goal: To enhance professional opportunities to staff to promote a positive working environment. Action Items: a) Executive Director will provide opportunities for promotion within PAEP through annual performance evaluations. b) Executive Director will arrange yearly in-service trainings for staff to remain current and expand knowledge on serving consumers. c) Executive Director and Employment Coordinator will diversity staff responsibilities based on new funding sources on a yearly basis. d) Executive Director and board of directors will recognize staff achievements on an annual basis. e) Executive Director will identify and recruit volunteers for specific activities connected to the agency. Technology Goal: To address technology needs as it relates to service delivery, case management, accounting, and resources. Action Items: a) Executive Director and board of directors, with input from staff, will identify and address technology needs of the organization and develop a technology plan by 2009. b) Executive Director will locate and acquire funding sources to specifically support technology needs identified within the plan. c) Executive Director and staff will incorporate technology into service delivery and resources as appropriate for PAEP. d) Executive Director will acquire agency laptops, flash drives, and wireless Internet for laptops to allow for off-site service delivery and technology capability by 2009.
2525 Cabot Dr. Suite 302, Lisle, IL 60532    Phone: 630.955.2079