| ICA Mission Statement |
| The primary goal of the Center is to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of people with autism and to help people with autism achieve their highest level of independence within their home, school and community. |
| Credentials |
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| Notice of Non-Discrimination Policy No person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, age, handicap, national origin or sex, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by the Illinois Center for Autism. |
| Confidentiality Policy All persons working at or visiting the Illinois Center for Autism are required to maintain the confidentiality of the children and adults receiving service from the Illinois Center for Autism. All medical, social, personal or financial information identifying a client at the Illinois Center for Autism shall not be made available to the public. |
| Historical Perspective The Illinois Center for Autism was established in the fall of 1977 to provide a Children’s Special Day School Program. At that time, it was serving eight children with autism. In January 1978, the Illinois Center for Autism was incorporated as a 501c (3) not-for-profit corporation. The ICA’s mission was to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of children with autism. ICA received accreditation in 1992 from the North Central Association (NCA). To this day, ICA has maintained this accreditation. In 1980, the Illinois Center for Autism received funding to initiate a Client and Family Support Program. This program provides services to families that enables them to support their family member with ASD in the home. In 1999, the Illinois Center for Autism’s Client and Family Support Program served over one hundred families. From its inception, the agency was short on space for providing services. The first wing of the permanent building was completed in 1985. Shortly thereafter, ICA had outgrown the first wing and additional space was rented. The second wing was added in 1988 to address the expansion of ICA’s program. In 1987, ICA received the funding necessary to begin programming for adult clients who had no day-training service available to them. In 1989, ICA received funding for additional adult clients through the Community Integrated Living process of the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. In 1989, with the support of the Department of Rehabilitation and the St. Clair County 708 Mental Health Board, ICA succeeded in developing a transitional services program for clients, ages fourteen and older. Designed to teach functional communication and social skills as well as employment related skills. When possible, clients work off site in the community. In accordance with the Department of Labor standards, individuals are paid for their work efforts. In 1992, ICA opened a gourmet Italian take-out eatery called “Pasta Fare”. This establishment provides an ideal site for food service training. Clients assist in all aspects of the business, learning to apply their functional academic, social and communications skills in a work setting. All clients at Pasta Fare are employees of the Illinois Center for Autism. Clients are transitioned into the community for further competitive employment opportunities. In 1993, Pasta Fare received the Illinois Governor’s Home Town Award, first place economic development in the community. Pasta Fare and Client and Family Support Programs received accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). In 1993, ICA received a “Community Services Award” from the AFL-CIO for providing employment opportunities for the disabled. In 1995, ICA entered into its first partnership with a public school. ICA is now operating seven classrooms in satellite programs in public schools located in Granite City, Grafton, Bethalto and Caseyville. In 1997, in celebration of twenty years of dedication, research and progress, ICA hosted an International Symposium on Autism. For the first time, seventeen world renowned leaders in the field of autism presented at the same conference. In 1998, the School Improvement Committee recommended that ICA take a whole new approach to serving students with autism. Students are now changing classes through out the day. The students have adjusted well to this change with significant improvement reflected in their behavior data. In 2003, Pasta Fare was expanded to a fine dining establishment as well as an Italian take-out eatery. In addition, Petals Remembered was opened to the public. This new venture was specifically designed to provide vocational training and employment opportunities for individuals with autism. Petals Remembered specializes in preserving flowers into a decorative floral arrangements. Not only has ICA been able to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of hundreds of people with autism, it has also helped them to become productive members of society. The future holds great promise for ICA and the people it serves. Rev. 2006 |
| Illinois Center for Autism A special place...for special people. |
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