Targeted Populations

Targeted Populations

The newly formed Bureau incorporated Targeted Populations (e.g., Deaf and Blind Services and Hispanic Services). IDHS-DRS staff members take their previous experiences and build on them through training opportunities offered though IDHS-DRS. The training learning modules cover all aspects of working with persons with disabilities and creating employment/entrepreneurial opportunities and partnerships with businesses in both the public and private sector as well. The focus of this unit is to

  • develop next level services, programs and trainings in areas that are available to non-disabled communities but are lacking presence in communities for persons with disabilities.
  • eliminate real world barriers facing persons with disabilities,
  • launch services and programs promoting social and economic inclusion through community-based organizations, governmental agencies, and IDHS-DRS staff.

These collaborative projects merge innovative processes and techniques into traditional protocols and current best practices for persons with disabilities in the following areas:

  • Programs for job creation in non-traditional settings, such as hospitals, airports and rehabilitation schools)
  • Cutting edge pre-apprenticeship programs that equip persons with disabilities for opportunities currently in demand.
  • Trainings on best practices and protocols that will keep persons with disabilities at the forefront of economic progress.

Vision for 2024

The targeted populations unit staff has been assigned to this unit since June 2023 and has finalized staging platforms that will govern and administer the following projects to be launched in 2024 predicating leadership approval.

  • Housing Initiative
    • The housing initiative would allow options for transitional housing to support individuals with disabilities or severe mental illness to have a place to live for up to six months while they explore, search and obtain gainful employment.
  • Pilot Programs and Trainings to Launch In 2024
    • The ADA Emergency Preparedness Program (for Administrators) - activities geared towards educating public, governmental agencies and private institutions and their staff on best practices and protocols to adhere to when serving persons with disabilities during times of crisis.
    • The ADA Hub Ownership Program (for Administrators) - program operations training for administrators, governmental agencies, executive-level private and public entities to enter into a relationship with IDHS-DRS by hosting an ADA hub in their institutions.
    • The ADA Hub Ownership Program (for Persons with Disabilities) - training sessions for IDHS-DRS agency and staff on how to equip, prepare and certify persons with disabilities with skills, tools, and the curriculum they will need for ADA hub for entrepreneurial/employment opportunities.
    • The We See Them for You Pilot Program - geared towards training IDHS-DRS staff, rehabilitation counselors and instructors on best practices and protocols to maximize protective measures for preventing sexual harassment when engaging in rehabilitation processes with the disabled.
  • Business Engagement Database. The IDHS-DRS maintains a business engagement database documenting:
    • growth in employer contacts,
    • information dissemination activities
    • facilitating job interviews for candidates, and
    • successful employment outcomes at targeted businesses.
  • The Business Services Consultants and Employee Resource Specialists are bridging that gap between the customer and the business to obtain successful competitive integrated employment opportunities. Each member of the team has been assigned as
    • a contact between community colleges and four-year public universities
    • responsible for reaching out to community organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, Centers for Independent Living, Veteran's Group and similar groups to share information about our agency and how we can assist businesses within the community with their hiring needs.
    • work with the Department of Economic Development representatives throughout the State of Illinois.
    • participated in a training conducted by the workforce network.