Connecting Adults with Communities

About

Connecting Adults with Communities bridges the gap between post-secondary neurodiverse adults and competitive integrated employment within underrepresented sectors of employment like technology, data analyst, logistics, manufacturing, and more. Through experiential learning our program instills confidence, creating independence!

This program’s goal is to prepare each individual for competitive employment through individualized assessment, extensive career exploration, and skills development leading to on the job training. Throughout this individual development program, young adults will gain the necessary skills to secure and maintain meaningful competitive employment within their communities.

For more information, contact Program Director, Cassidy Kaput , 630.929.2725

Explore jobs you never thought possible in a safe and enriching virtual environment at our Career Exploration VR Boot Camp!

1 – week Program, Dec. 2-6, 2024 OR Jan. 13-17, 2025

Monday – Friday, 10am-12pm

Little Friends Adult Services Building, 27545 Diehl Road, Warrenville

Contact Program Director, Cassidy Kaput for more information 630.929.2725

Interested in pursuing a career in supply chain or logistics? Want to work in manufacturing or warehouse? Need a confidence boost or competitive edge? Join our CAC Supply Chain Certificate program

2 – week Program, Dec. 9-20, 2024

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8am-12pm

Little Friends Adult Services Building, 27545 Diehl Road, Warrenville

Contact Program Director, Cassidy Kaput for more information 630.929.2725

Join our Skill Development Program! Neurodiverse young adults will find assistance as they navigate the skills necessary to secure competitive integrated employment!

12 – week Program, January 21-April 11, 2025

Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm

Little Friends Adult Services Building, 27545 Diehl Road, Warrenville

Contact Program Director, Cassidy Kaput for more information 630.929.2725

Participant Spotlight

Little Friends Connecting Adults with Communities program hosted its first Skills Development cohort this Spring, helping neurodiverse young adults bridge the gap between educational services and post-secondary integrated employment. We were excited to catch up with one of the participants, Natalia, who is interning in the front office at Little Friends Center for Autism.

What part of your internship do you like the most so far?

The part of my internship that I like the most so far is spending time in my office preparing materials for the kids and creating and organizing files.

Is there something you learned while at CAC that has helped you so far in your internship?

Something I learned while at CAC that has helped me so far in my internship is requesting reasonable accommodations and taking breaks to make my work more productive.

What advice would you give another young person who might be considering participating in a program to work on skills like CAC?

It’s helpful for you to consider taking and completing assessments because those assessments will help you figure out your strengths and narrow down your employment job choices. Also, figuring out your own unique personal strengths that you feel a workplace could benefit from.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is a receptionist.

Participant Overview

Young adults with a formal diagnosis that falls into the category of neurodiverse
Ready for post-high school experience, obtaining a high school diploma, certificate, or equivalent
Desire to competitively work in the community and interest in maintaining a job
Ability to access transportation independently
Ability to take direction, follow professional code of conduct
Functional communication skills
Independent ADLS and medication administration

Meet the Staff

Cassidy Kaput, OTD, OTR/L

Program Director
Connecting Adults with Communities

Cassidy has been working with Little Friends since 2019, when she completed a clinical rotation at Krejci while an occupational therapy doctoral candidate. She also completed her doctoral capstone at our Adult Day Services program in 2020, where she developed and implemented an adult leisure program. She has been a part of Little Friends Human Rights Committee (HRC) since 2020 and was hired in 2023 as the Program Director to support the new Connecting Adults with Communities (CAC) program. Cassidy is excited to be part of this pioneering program to support neurodiverse young adults in gaining the confidence and skills needed to competitively work within their communities.

Cassidy comes to us with extensive experience as an occupational therapist developing programs for transition-aged young adults in the therapeutic day school and community day settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biopsychology from Monmouth College and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Midwestern University. She continues to practice as a Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist at Little Friends Center for Autism. Cassidy’s passions are program development, community integration, transition-aged young adults, life skills development, and community employment training. Her ultimate goal is to empower the individuals she serves to gain as much access, integration, and independence in their communities (family, school, neighborhood, etc.) as possible.

Anthony Miser

Business Engagement & Support Manager Connecting Adults with Communities

Anthony joined Little Friends in 2024 to serve as the Business Engagement & Support Manager for the new Connecting Adults with Communities (CAC) program. Originally from the Naperville area, Anthony returned after working in disability nonprofits for 5 years in Denver, Colorado. Throughout his youth, Anthony was extremely involved in the disability community. As a recognized disability peer mentor at Naperville Central High School, Anthony co-founded the Friends Uniting in Naperville (FUN) club with Little Friends Board Member, Pat Adamatis. Today, FUN club is an after-hours recreational program facilitated by Little Friends. Anthony is excited to connect with old and new faces!

Anthony comes to us with well-rounded experience in Supported Employment, curriculum development, and partner relations. He received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Spanish language from Central Michigan University. In his current role, Anthony aims to mentor and support individuals by connecting them with underrepresented sectors of employment, while educating and informing local communities on the importance of hiring neurodiverse adults. Anthony is thrilled to be part of this revolutionary program!

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