The Canopy Adult Program Quality Standards:

1. Person-Centered Approach: Tailoring support to individual needs, preferences, strengths, and goals, focusing on promoting autonomy and self-determination.
2. Staff to Participant Ratio: The Canopy Adult Program has a flexible coverage model. The standard ratio is 1 staff to 4 participants.
3. Qualified Staff: Employing trained professionals with expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including understanding sensory sensitivities, communication styles, and behavioral interventions.
4. Collaborative Team Approach: Involving multidisciplinary teams, including educators and therapists, to provide comprehensive and coordinated support.
5. Comprehensive Assessment: Conduct thorough assessments to identify strengths, needs, and areas for growth, informing individualized support plans.
6. Clear Communication: Ensuring transparent and effective communication with individuals, families, caregivers, and other stakeholders involved in the program.
7. Accessible Environment: Creating physical and sensory environments that are accessible, accommodating, and conducive to learning and participation.
8. Skill-Based Programming: Offering a range of skill-building opportunities across various domains, including communication, social skills, independent living, vocational skills, and leisure activities.
9. Inclusive Environment: Creating inclusive environments that promote acceptance, understanding, and accommodation of individual differences while fostering a sense of belonging and community.
10. Communication and Social Skills Training: Providing opportunities for developing communication, social interaction, and relationship-building skills tailored to individual needs and preferences.
11. Life Skills Training: Offering training and support in essential life skills, such as daily living tasks, vocational skills, financial literacy, and self-care, to promote independence and functional abilities. 
12. Transition Planning: Implementing transition planning processes to support individuals as they move between different life stages, educational settings, or employment opportunities.
13. Family and Caregiver Involvement: Engaging families and caregivers as partners in the planning, implementing, and evaluating support programs while providing them with resources and training.
    
14. Continuous Evaluation and Improvement: Regularly evaluate program effectiveness, solicit feedback from participants and stakeholders, and make adjustments to improve outcomes and meet evolving needs.

These quality standards establish the Canopy Adult Program as a leader in autism programming, aiming to enhance the well-being, independence, and quality of life of individuals with autism.

Calendar, Program Tuition, and Transportation:

Calendar:

• The Canopy Adult Program operates year-round, starting mid-August and continuing through the end of July.
• Canopy Adult Program maintains a rolling admission policy, welcoming new participants year-round as openings become available.

Tuition & Transportation:

• Canopy is a private pay program. Tuition is determined by the number of days attended
  annually and whether participants sign up for Caravan Transportation services.
• Program Options:
  • Option 1: Parent/Caregiver DROP-OFF & PICK-UP at our 264 Main St. Sugar Grove campus.
    • Tuition: $108 per day. 
    • Morning DROP-OFF begins at 9:15 a.m. at 264 Main Street, Sugar Grove campus.
    • Afternoon PICK-UP begins at 2:15 p.m. at 264 Main Street, Sugar Grove campus.
    • Typically, parents, caregivers, or PACE services drop participants off and pick them up directly at the Canopy program in Sugar Grove, IL.
  • Option 2: With Caravan TRANSPORTATION to and from Sugar Grove
    • Tuition: $115 per day. Additional Daily Costs are based on the following criteria and are subject to change.
      • The cost of gas and the wear and tear of the shuttle for a 42-mile daily round trip
      • The cost for staff to supervise participants is an additional half hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon.
    • Morning DROP-OFF at Giant Steps Day School (2500 Cabot Dr., Lisle, IL) begins at 8:30 a.m./8:45 a.m. (Front Parking Lot).
    • Afternoon PICK-UP at Giant Steps Day School begins at approximately 3:00 p.m. (Front Parking Lot).

Canopy Adult Program:

• Curriculum: An age-appropriate learning environment guided by carefully designed goals/objectives adapted to each participant's needs and functional level.
• Staff to Participant Ratio: The Canopy Program incorporates a highly supportive 1 staff to 4 participant ratio, unlike the typical ratio of 1 to 8/10 in other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) adult programs in Illinois.
• Attendance: Participants may attend 1 - 5 days per week.
• Annual Billing Agreement: Families agree in August on the days the participant will attend the Canopy program. Changes to attendance days are possible; however, any change to the schedule must be okayed by the Canopy Administrator.
• Daily Schedule: The day runs from 9:30 - 2:30, Monday through Friday

Community-Based Instruction & Vocational Opportunities:

The Canopy Adult Program emphasizes independent community participation through dynamic, meaningful, Community-Based Instruction (CBI). CBI integrates into daily programming and community settings, highlighting strengths, fostering skill development, and bridging the gap to real-world situations. Vocational opportunities are tailored to individual needs, aiming to equip participants for success by building on existing skills, developing new ones, increasing community engagement, and fostering independence.