Our Program

Definition of Transition:

A coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.

Our transition program is known as the STEPS to Successful Living Program. Highlights of our program include:

• Each student's program is customized. Students begin at their current ability level and end at whatever level they are able to achieve.
• STEPS to Successful Living Program is based upon a continuum of skills that are individualized, developmental, and sequential.
• ICRE-R uses the Council for Exceptional Children's Life Centered Career Education (LCCE) curriculum to teach program concepts. STEPS to Successful Living Program provides practical application of the concepts learned through LCCE in reality-based living environments.
• Program goals are developed around each student's personal vision and goals, outlining his/her path for transition into the community of his/her choice.
• As students take an increasing amount of responsibility for themselves, they learn to direct their program, and ultimately, manage their lives.
• Implementation of the program's STEPS Program occurs in natural environments such as on-campus training apartments, employment in the community, and medical appointments with community physicians.
• Program activities are community-based whenever possible, taking advantage of the local community and its resources.

Components

Educational - The Educational component of ICRE-R's STEPS to Successful Living Program uses a curriculum from the Council for Exceptional Children, called Life Centered Career Education (LCCE). The LCCE curriculum is an education system designed to teach transition students important concepts and skills needed to function successfully in the home and community. The LCCE focuses specifically on life skills, unlike traditional school curriculums.
In addition to the LCCE curriculum, many students attend local community schools to complete their K-12 educational requirements. These students receive assistance with projects and homework completion from ICRE-R's Education Department.ICRE-R also works with the Illinois Department of Human Services / Division of Rehabilitation Services for post-secondary education.

Medical Home - A medical home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care. A medical home is defined as primary care that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective.In a medical home, a pediatric clinician (physician or pediatric nurse practitioner) works in partnership with the family and student to assure that the medical needs (and non-medical needs) of the student are met. Through this partnership, we help the student and family access and coordinate specialty care and other community services that are important to the overall health of the student and family, both now and for the future. ICRE-R works with families and medical providers to coordinate necessary medical services and trips. The ICRE-R team also assists in identifying the students' adult health providers prior to leaving the school.

Vocational - Students may participate in the Illinois Department of Human Services / Division of Rehabilitation Services Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP Program) for in-school or community-based work experience. ICRE-R has two in-school programs to facilitate the development of vocational skills: the "Wheely Entrepreneurial Association" gift basket business and the "Oh Sew Personal" sewing and embroidery program. We also have a school store sponsored by the ICRE-R Foundation, which is managed and operated by students under staff guidance. ICRE-R works closely with the Illinois Department of Human Services / Division of Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation program for vocational evaluations and placements.

Therapy Services - ICRE-R is staffed by a variety of licensed and/or certified therapists in the following areas: Communication Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Recreation Therapy, and Social Services. Every student is evaluated by each discipline upon admission and at regular intervals thereafter. Students are scheduled for individual and/or group therapy on an as-needed basis. The student goals are developed to augment the STEPS to Successful Living Program goals, as well as each student's individual therapeutic needs.

Community Integration - ICRE-R provides students with opportunities and experiences in the local community that promote the development and application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for successful participation in the community of their choice. Services include: community leisure participation, mobility access program, adult living situation, and connection to adult service providers.

Outcomes - ICRE-R's transition program helps to develop the life skills that each student needs to be as successful as possible. ICRE-R helps students achieve a successful transition from school to the community of their choice in a living environment that supports their highest level of independence in all areas of their life.

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