CHSD 218 Adult Transition Program Offers Hidden Talent Pool To Local Employers

OAK LAWN, IL—After he retired from his high-stress sales career last year, Sean Flood traded it all in for a second career as a barista, library shelf stacker and roustabout setting up and breaking down chairs and tables for special events.

Flood is one of 35 job coaches currently working at CHSD 218’s Adult Transitions Program, which teaches vocational and life skills to young adults with special needs, who have graduated from Richards, Eisenhower or Shepard high schools.

“Retirement isn’t healthy for men where every day is Saturday,” Flood said. “It’s not mentally challenging, and you get sedentary. I was concerned about my health sitting around doing nothing.”

The program is always seeking new partners to take advantage of ATP’s vast talent pool of motivated young adults with disabilities, ages 18 to 22, who are ready for the world of work. Currently, 20 businesses, institutions, hospitality and entertainment venues currently participate in CHSD 218’s vocational training program, drawing partners from Oak Lawn, Alsip, Palos, Blue Island, Crestwood, Merrionette Park, Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Frankfort.

Joann Winters, assistant director for CHSD 218’s Adult Transition Program, said the vocational training helps business partners improve their bottom line with a reliable pool of motivated workers, reduced turnover and zero-cost training and support. The program handles all transportation for the students to and from work sites.

“The primary goal is vocational training rather than immediate employment, though hiring students is an optional outcome for partners," Winters said.

Job coaches are trained to do the same tasks that students in the program will undertake. The job coach remains with the student at his or her workplace to get the work done. Candidates are carefully matched and vetted with the business based on strengths and job readiness. Employers also qualify for federal and state tax credits, including the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).

“It’s a win-win,” Flood said. “They can show me what needs to be done. It’s like training the trainer. Train me how do it, and I can work with the students to get the job done.”

ATP students perform janitorial work at St. Catherine’s, St. Barnabas and St. John Fisher. They feed animals and clean up the grounds at Navarro Farm and The Children’s Farm at The Center. You’ll also find students preparing frothy coffee drinks at the Grove in Oak Lawn, setting up and breaking down chairs and tables for weddings, parties and special events at DoubleTree in Alsip, and soon, 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park.

In exchange, the young adults in ATP bolster their job skills and build confidence in the workplace to prepare them for the future job market and put them on the path to independence.

CHSD 218’s growing network of business partners include:

• Blue Island Library
• Crestwood Library
• Lake Katherine Nature Center
• Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn
• Oak Lawn Park District
• St. Barnabas School
• St. Catherine of Alexandria School
• St. John Fisher
• Grove Coffee
• Hailstorm Brewery
• Doubletree Hotel
• Holiday Inn
• High 5 Heights
• Marathon Sports
• Second Chance Thrift Shop
• Lighthouse Church of All Nations
• Navarro Farms
• Taylor’s Candies
• The Children’s Farm

“ATP has been pivotal in connecting us to the community as well as helping us reach our bottom-line numbers because the students with their aides truly add incredible value to our employees and to our customer experience," said . I would say that, as a new business in the service industry, ATP is a must, and it even translated to us having great help over the summer.”

As for his new gig as a job coach, Flood said it was a way to have a second career.

“You’re able to see the benefit of your labor firsthand,” he said. “It’s not like sales with all the stress.”

For more information on becoming a business partner with Adult Transition Program vocational training, contact Joann Winters, assistant director for CHSD 218 ATP by phone at 708-424-2000, ext. 2906 or by email, joann.winters@chsd218.org.