Re: SEPTEMBER QUESTION OF THE MONTH

[Guest guest]

Here's what's happening in fort -

A few years ago, a group of parents approached our  Special Recreation Park

District about forming a program for all the young adults who were graduating

from our high schools with  no funding and no programs in place.

Thankfully, our park district obliged and the " Day by Day " program was formed. 

It meets in sessions as regular park district programs do - 4 days a week from

9-2 PM. They have been extremely responsive to the requests of the parents and

the program is constantly evolving.  The only request they did not accommodate

was our request that the program focus more on education so that our kids

wouldn't lose those skills.  After discussion with the board of directors it was

explained to us that their mission is Recreation not Education, plus they didn't

have the funds to hire a special ed teacher which we had recommended.We were

disappointed, but we understood where they were coming from. Currently, there

are a total of 18 participants even though the maximum is 15, because some of

the participants have jobs and are enrolled only part-time.  There is a

wonderful director and great staff. 

This session just started yesterday and that was my son Evan's first day.  The

transition was no problem since he had just been at camp for 6 weeks with most

of the same participants and staff.  Day by Day takes a backseat to Camp in the

summer.  The kids work on social and life skills, they cook one lunch a week and

bake another day, go on a field trip once a week, have daily exercise either in

the gym or walking in the community every day, do service projects and there is

fine and gross motor focus.

They are currently housed in one of fort's park district buildings, but

they are searching for a building to buy that will be used for multiple

purposes.

This program costs the participants $25 per day, with door to door service at an

additional charge.

We are so grateful to have this program available to us - this is our children's

future and thank God they have one!

Diane Ruklic

[Guest guest]

Here's what's happening in fort -

A few years ago, a group of parents approached our  Special Recreation Park

District about forming a program for all the young adults who were graduating

from our high schools with  no funding and no programs in place.

Thankfully, our park district obliged and the " Day by Day " program was formed. 

It meets in sessions as regular park district programs do - 4 days a week from

9-2 PM. They have been extremely responsive to the requests of the parents and

the program is constantly evolving.  The only request they did not accommodate

was our request that the program focus more on education so that our kids

wouldn't lose those skills.  After discussion with the board of directors it was

explained to us that their mission is Recreation not Education, plus they didn't

have the funds to hire a special ed teacher which we had recommended.We were

disappointed, but we understood where they were coming from. Currently, there

are a total of 18 participants even though the maximum is 15, because some of

the participants have jobs and are enrolled only part-time.  There is a

wonderful director and great staff. 

This session just started yesterday and that was my son Evan's first day.  The

transition was no problem since he had just been at camp for 6 weeks with most

of the same participants and staff.  Day by Day takes a backseat to Camp in the

summer.  The kids work on social and life skills, they cook one lunch a week and

bake another day, go on a field trip once a week, have daily exercise either in

the gym or walking in the community every day, do service projects and there is

fine and gross motor focus.

They are currently housed in one of fort's park district buildings, but

they are searching for a building to buy that will be used for multiple

purposes.

This program costs the participants $25 per day, with door to door service at an

additional charge.

We are so grateful to have this program available to us - this is our children's

future and thank God they have one!

Diane Ruklic

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane:

This sounds like the bargain of the century, at $25/day! How do most

participants get to the program? What is the participant to staff ratio?

There are three similar sounding programs in the northern suburbs, Anixter

Center's ACT Program, Keshet's Gadol Program and a collaborative program

between The Center for Enriched Living and Northern Suburban Special Recreation

Assn called ELA..

The three range between $75-$90/day. They run an additional hour and they are

all 5 days a week with options for part time to accommodate work schedules or

other preferences.

ACT and Gadol have about a 1:5 ratio. Those two programs are out in the

community a great deal...doing volunteer work, paid work, and physical fitness.

I am not sure about the ratio for the ELA program.

Is there a vision for building capacity as other students exit special ed?

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: SEPTEMBER QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Here's what's happening in fort -

A few years ago, a group of parents approached our Special Recreation Park

District about forming a program for all the young adults who were graduating

from our high schools with no funding and no programs in place.

Thankfully, our park district obliged and the " Day by Day " program was formed.

It meets in sessions as regular park district programs do - 4 days a week from

9-2 PM. They have been extremely responsive to the requests of the parents and

the program is constantly evolving. The only request they did not accommodate

was our request that the program focus more on education so that our kids

wouldn't lose those skills. After discussion with the board of directors it was

explained to us that their mission is Recreation not Education, plus they didn't

have the funds to hire a special ed teacher which we had recommended.We were

disappointed, but we understood where they were coming from. Currently, there

are a total of 18 participants even though the maximum is 15, because some of

the participants have jobs and are enrolled only part-time. There is a

wonderful director and great staff.

This session just started yesterday and that was my son Evan's first day. The

transition was no problem since he had just been at camp for 6 weeks with most

of the same participants and staff. Day by Day takes a backseat to Camp in the

summer. The kids work on social and life skills, they cook one lunch a week and

bake another day, go on a field trip once a week, have daily exercise either in

the gym or walking in the community every day, do service projects and there is

fine and gross motor focus.

They are currently housed in one of fort's park district buildings, but

they are searching for a building to buy that will be used for multiple

purposes.

This program costs the participants $25 per day, with door to door service at

an additional charge.

We are so grateful to have this program available to us - this is our

children's future and thank God they have one!

Diane Ruklic

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane:

This sounds like the bargain of the century, at $25/day! How do most

participants get to the program? What is the participant to staff ratio?

There are three similar sounding programs in the northern suburbs, Anixter

Center's ACT Program, Keshet's Gadol Program and a collaborative program

between The Center for Enriched Living and Northern Suburban Special Recreation

Assn called ELA..

The three range between $75-$90/day. They run an additional hour and they are

all 5 days a week with options for part time to accommodate work schedules or

other preferences.

ACT and Gadol have about a 1:5 ratio. Those two programs are out in the

community a great deal...doing volunteer work, paid work, and physical fitness.

I am not sure about the ratio for the ELA program.

Is there a vision for building capacity as other students exit special ed?

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: SEPTEMBER QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Here's what's happening in fort -

A few years ago, a group of parents approached our Special Recreation Park

District about forming a program for all the young adults who were graduating

from our high schools with no funding and no programs in place.

Thankfully, our park district obliged and the " Day by Day " program was formed.

It meets in sessions as regular park district programs do - 4 days a week from

9-2 PM. They have been extremely responsive to the requests of the parents and

the program is constantly evolving. The only request they did not accommodate

was our request that the program focus more on education so that our kids

wouldn't lose those skills. After discussion with the board of directors it was

explained to us that their mission is Recreation not Education, plus they didn't

have the funds to hire a special ed teacher which we had recommended.We were

disappointed, but we understood where they were coming from. Currently, there

are a total of 18 participants even though the maximum is 15, because some of

the participants have jobs and are enrolled only part-time. There is a

wonderful director and great staff.

This session just started yesterday and that was my son Evan's first day. The

transition was no problem since he had just been at camp for 6 weeks with most

of the same participants and staff. Day by Day takes a backseat to Camp in the

summer. The kids work on social and life skills, they cook one lunch a week and

bake another day, go on a field trip once a week, have daily exercise either in

the gym or walking in the community every day, do service projects and there is

fine and gross motor focus.

They are currently housed in one of fort's park district buildings, but

they are searching for a building to buy that will be used for multiple

purposes.

This program costs the participants $25 per day, with door to door service at

an additional charge.

We are so grateful to have this program available to us - this is our

children's future and thank God they have one!

Diane Ruklic

[Guest guest]

Ellen, Diane and all,

Out in the western burbs of Chicago, Western Dupage Special Rec Assoc. and

SEASPAR both also offer these day program options, from 9-2 Monday thru Friday.

Like the one Diane describes, they are staffed at 6:1 ratios, they offer some

community service, outings every Friday I believe, plus other activities thru

the week. You can sign up for one day a week or all 5, depending on your job or

other schedule.

And yes, the WDSRA program at least, charges $22/day but I'm not sure either one

offers transportation at this point. Maybe someone can correct me on this.

Interesting note: The Naperville program of WDSRA, which they call Rec 'n Roll,

I'm told has at most 10-12 participants yet another one in Carol Stream has

something like double or triple that amount. Not sure why one is more popular

than the other?

And Ellen, to answer your question about why these would be so much cheaper than

your ACT program, remember they are heavily subsidized by the local municipal

park districts so the fees are not a true reflection of the costs of the

programs.

Hope that helps.

Diane, so glad to hear that parent advocates were involved in the formation of

something that is meeting the needs of your adult children. I really believe

that communities need to develop programs that 'fit' them and the work or

lifestyles of their residents. Good for you!

Laurie

Re: SEPTEMBER QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Here's what's happening in fort -

A few years ago, a group of parents approached our Special Recreation Park

District about forming a program for all the young adults who were graduating

from our high schools with no funding and no programs in place.

Thankfully, our park district obliged and the " Day by Day " program was formed.

It meets in sessions as regular park district programs do - 4 days a week from

9-2 PM. They have been extremely responsive to the requests of the parents and

the program is constantly evolving. The only request they did not accommodate

was our request that the program focus more on education so that our kids

wouldn't lose those skills. After discussion with the board of directors it was

explained to us that their mission is Recreation not Education, plus they didn't

have the funds to hire a special ed teacher which we had recommended.We were

disappointed, but we understood where they were coming from. Currently, there

are a total of 18 participants even though the maximum is 15, because some of

the participants have jobs and are enrolled only part-time. There is a wonderful

director and great staff.

This session just started yesterday and that was my son Evan's first day. The

transition was no problem since he had just been at camp for 6 weeks with most

of the same participants and staff. Day by Day takes a backseat to Camp in the

summer. The kids work on social and life skills, they cook one lunch a week and

bake another day, go on a field trip once a week, have daily exercise either in

the gym or walking in the community every day, do service projects and there is

fine and gross motor focus.

They are currently housed in one of fort's park district buildings, but

they are searching for a building to buy that will be used for multiple

purposes.

This program costs the participants $25 per day, with door to door service at

an additional charge.

We are so grateful to have this program available to us - this is our

children's future and thank God they have one!

Diane Ruklic

[Guest guest]

Ellen, Diane and all,

Out in the western burbs of Chicago, Western Dupage Special Rec Assoc. and

SEASPAR both also offer these day program options, from 9-2 Monday thru Friday.

Like the one Diane describes, they are staffed at 6:1 ratios, they offer some

community service, outings every Friday I believe, plus other activities thru

the week. You can sign up for one day a week or all 5, depending on your job or

other schedule.

And yes, the WDSRA program at least, charges $22/day but I'm not sure either one

offers transportation at this point. Maybe someone can correct me on this.

Interesting note: The Naperville program of WDSRA, which they call Rec 'n Roll,

I'm told has at most 10-12 participants yet another one in Carol Stream has

something like double or triple that amount. Not sure why one is more popular

than the other?

And Ellen, to answer your question about why these would be so much cheaper than

your ACT program, remember they are heavily subsidized by the local municipal

park districts so the fees are not a true reflection of the costs of the

programs.

Hope that helps.

Diane, so glad to hear that parent advocates were involved in the formation of

something that is meeting the needs of your adult children. I really believe

that communities need to develop programs that 'fit' them and the work or

lifestyles of their residents. Good for you!

Laurie

Re: SEPTEMBER QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Here's what's happening in fort -

A few years ago, a group of parents approached our Special Recreation Park

District about forming a program for all the young adults who were graduating

from our high schools with no funding and no programs in place.

Thankfully, our park district obliged and the " Day by Day " program was formed.

It meets in sessions as regular park district programs do - 4 days a week from

9-2 PM. They have been extremely responsive to the requests of the parents and

the program is constantly evolving. The only request they did not accommodate

was our request that the program focus more on education so that our kids

wouldn't lose those skills. After discussion with the board of directors it was

explained to us that their mission is Recreation not Education, plus they didn't

have the funds to hire a special ed teacher which we had recommended.We were

disappointed, but we understood where they were coming from. Currently, there

are a total of 18 participants even though the maximum is 15, because some of

the participants have jobs and are enrolled only part-time. There is a wonderful

director and great staff.

This session just started yesterday and that was my son Evan's first day. The

transition was no problem since he had just been at camp for 6 weeks with most

of the same participants and staff. Day by Day takes a backseat to Camp in the

summer. The kids work on social and life skills, they cook one lunch a week and

bake another day, go on a field trip once a week, have daily exercise either in

the gym or walking in the community every day, do service projects and there is

fine and gross motor focus.

They are currently housed in one of fort's park district buildings, but

they are searching for a building to buy that will be used for multiple

purposes.

This program costs the participants $25 per day, with door to door service at

an additional charge.

We are so grateful to have this program available to us - this is our

children's future and thank God they have one!

Diane Ruklic

[Guest guest]

regarding rec and roll, WDSRA day alternative... transportation is not

available.Many of the young adults who take advantage use Ride DuPage.

WDSRA is pretty flexible. They are willing to listen to suggestions from

consumers etc. I am often amazed when people say thir child doesnt have

anything to do and at the same time the rec programs are at a low census.

The ZNaperville WDSRA rec and roll is a puzzler. Naperville is one of the

larger cities in the state, yet it consistantly has a low census.If people

are unaware of it,and live in Naperville, it is a great alternative to

other options, or no options.

[Guest guest]

regarding rec and roll, WDSRA day alternative... transportation is not

available.Many of the young adults who take advantage use Ride DuPage.

WDSRA is pretty flexible. They are willing to listen to suggestions from

consumers etc. I am often amazed when people say thir child doesnt have

anything to do and at the same time the rec programs are at a low census.

The ZNaperville WDSRA rec and roll is a puzzler. Naperville is one of the

larger cities in the state, yet it consistantly has a low census.If people

are unaware of it,and live in Naperville, it is a great alternative to

other options, or no options.