Ray Graham Association (RGA), has completed the transformational plans to their residential services announced in December 2019. We have voluntarily closed the Iona Glos Specialized Learning Center (SLC) while acquiring and remodeling four homes. This transition was completed December 30, 2020. All of the people served at the Specialized Learning Center have new homes, including 48 individuals who moved into smaller homes operated by RGA throughout DuPage County.

RGA worked with each individual and their family to find an appropriate residence and service provider to support their needs. We are pleased to report every person continues to receive high-quality services, whether with RGA community-based residential services or another organization of their choice. In collaboration with the Division of Developmental Disabilities and Service, Inc. of Illinois, we navigated through the process to ensure that everyone has access to a full range of options.

As a part of the transition, three RGA homes were entirely remodeled and another was acquired and remodeled. The four houses are in West Chicago, Lombard, Bensenville, and Bloomingdale. There was significant construction in each home, starting from the studs and ending with a new home—top to bottom.

Family members, people we serve, and employees were all instrumental in completing this transition. Fortunately, we were able to transition most RGA employees into other roles. Some team members did choose to explore other opportunities. We are thankful for our team members’ support and dedication throughout the nearly 41-year history of the SLC.

The SLC was built in 1980 and was licensed as an Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (ICFDD) to serve as many as 100 people across six cottages. For many years, we have seen a growing number of people want to live in small homes where they have their own bedroom and access to community resources. Meg Cooch, Executive Director of The ARC of Illinois, states “RGA’s decision to transition to smaller community homes should be commended, as it reflects best practice, forwards community inclusion, and better meets the desires of people with I/DD and their families who are looking for services.”

Kim Zoeller, President and CEO of RGA, reports that the transition has been successful. She further states that, ”we are proud to have invested over $1 million in our residential communities as we continue to provide 24/7/365 care for the people we serve. We now offer residential services across 40 homes in DuPage County.”