Empowering Choices Project

A Four-Year Project

Project Description:

These students are all of African American and/or Hispanic backgrounds and reside within or on the borders of the empowerment zone clusters. The project's goal is to provide support for students' successful transition from school to adult life by addressing employment, post-secondary education, and independent living needs. The project applies intensive case management with an empowering curriculum to teach youth how to set goals, develop action plans, recruit mentors and pursue their goals. Participants' knowledge of their rights under ADA and the resources available is increased through their participation in the program.
Students and their families are supported in the process of applying for VR services with the Office of Rehabilitative Services before and after graduation. Program effectiveness is evaluated based on individual participant goal attainment as well as employment and post-secondary education outcomes.

Target Population:
Junior and seniors in special education programs attending four inner city high schools.

Project Staff:
Fabricio Balcazar, PhD (Principal Investigator)
Chris Keys, PhD (Co-Principal Investigator)
Teresa Garate-Serafini, M.Ed. (Project Director)
Tina Taylor-Ritzler, MA (Graduate Research Assistant)
Susan Ryerson-Espino, MA (Graduate Research Assistant)
Michele Murvay (Case Manager)
George Ortiz (Case Manager)
Sarah McCullough (Case Manager)

Funded by:
Department of Education - Federal
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Administration

Outcomes:
Students served by the project: 79
Employment Experience (either part-time or full-time): 53
Post-Secondary Education Training: 20

Contact:
Tere Garate-Sarafini, M.Ed.
tere@uic.edu