Alternative Schools Network

THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS NETWORK IS COMMITTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ENGAGE URBAN CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS WITH WELL-ROUNDED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS LEADING TO COLLEGE ENTRANCE AND/OR CAREER PATHS, WHICH FOSTER ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

YOUTH SCHOLARS, SKILLS AND SERVICE (YS3): THE YS3 PROGRAM PROVIDES CHICAGO AREA YOUTH WHO ARE IN THE CARE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS), ARE NOT ENROLLED IN AN EDUCATIONAL OR VOCATIONAL PROGRAM AND DO NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESOURCES TO ATTAIN THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND BECOME INDEPENDENT AND PRODUCTIVE ADULTS. INTEGRAL COMPONENTS OF YS3 ARE STUDENT MENTORING, COLLEGE PLACEMENT, AND SUPPORT.

TITLE XX/COMPASS COUNSELING PROGRAM FUNDS POSITIONS AT 12 PROGRAM SITES AND PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE SERVICES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT TO TARGETED YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 14-24, ATTENDING ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS NETWORK HIGH SCHOOLS AND LEARNING CENTERS. COUNSELORS WORK WITH STUDENTS TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL AND EDUCATIONAL GOALS. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH THE CITY OF CHICAGO, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES, FROM THE DONATED FUNDS INITIATIVE OF THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (I.D.H.S.) AND FROM THE DONATED FUNDS INITIATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AID. ADDED CHANCE IS AN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH WARDS OF THE STATE AGED 16-21 YEARS. THE ADDED CHANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES THESE OLDER ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH A FORMALIZED, YET CREATIVE, TRAINING EXPERIENCE, FOLLOWED BY EXTENSIVE COUNSELING, ACTUAL EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT FOLLOW- UP IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY THE TIME THEY EMANCIPATE FROM DCFS (USUALLY AT AGE 21). EVERY YEAR, ADDED CHANCE TRAINS ABOUT 200 YOUTH AND PLACES AROUND 130. THE PRAXIS PROJECT IS A SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE SUPPORTING HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTORS AND TEACHERS WITH THEIR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GOALS BY SHARING EXPERIENCES, IDEAS AND INITIATIVES WITHIN ASN AND THROUGH COLLABORATIONS AND SUPPORT FROM EXTERNAL PARTNERS. SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE PRINCIPAL MENTORING, TARGETED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, TEACHER AND LEADERSHIP PREPARATION. INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, ILLINOIS COLLEGE AND CLASS LEADERSHIP. EXTRALEARNING ONLINE IS AN AFFORDABLE COMPREHENSIVE K-ADULT LEARNING AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT DELIVERS AND MANAGES STANDARDS ALIGNED EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES OVER THE INTERNET ON A SUBSCRIPTION BASIS.

RSP PROVIDES EXPANDED ACADEMIC AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO OVER 472 OUT-OF- SCHOOL TEENS ANNUALLY THROUGH PROGRAMS CENTERED IN COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS CHICAGO. RSP FOCUSES ON GETTING STUDENTS RE-ENROLLED AND SUPPORTING THEM IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE AS THEY ATTAIN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES AT A COLLEGE LEVEL OR PLACE INTO A JOB.

IYIP IS AN IDHS PROGRAM WHICH SUPPORTS 250 AT-RISK YOUTH WHO ARE PREPARING TO TRANSITION BEYOND THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AND INTO THE WORLD OF WORK. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES MENTOR SUPPORT, JOB READINESS AND CAREER EDUCATION, INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION, AND SUBSIDIZED WORK EXPERIENCE THROUGH DIVERSE BUSINESS PARTNERS. AS A RESULT, STUDENTS GAIN AND OR/ STRENGTHEN THE SKILLS THAT WILL INCREASE THEIR SUCCESS IN FINDING, SECURING, AND SUSTAINING MEANINGFUL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.