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Special-Needs Schools

UCAN Academy South

Special-Needs Schools · Chicago, IL
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About

Compiled from public web sources — unverified until claimed; please confirm details directly with the provider.

Focus
Day School Autism Developmental Delay Emotional Disability Intellectual Disability Other Health Impairment S/L Specific Learning Disability
Area
Chicago, IL
Description
ISBE-approved nonpublic special-education facility (day school), serving students with autism, emotional disability, intellectual disability, other health impairment, specific learning disability. Illinois districts can place and fund students here under Section 14-7.02.
Website
ucanchicago.org

What this special-needs school offers

Summarized from their website — verify details directly with the special-needs school.

UCAN Chicago is a nonprofit human services organization with over 150 years of operation that strengthens communities by supporting youth and families through a continuum of therapeutic, educational, foster care, behavioral health, and violence prevention services. It operates UCAN Academy, a therapeutic day school at two locations, alongside residential and community-based programs serving over 9,100 children, youth, and families across Illinois.

Leadership
Christa A. Hamilton — President/CEO
Khalid Qazi — Chief Financial Officer
Terri Sharpp — Chief Operations Officer
Dr. Paviella Foster — Senior Vice President, Prevention & Empowerment Services
Stephanie Franklin — Senior Vice President, Foster Care & Transitional Services
Dr. Randy Sadler — Senior Vice President, Therapeutic & Clinical Services
Derrick K. Baker — Vice President, Marketing & External Affairs
Jeff Blythe — Vice President, Behavioral Health Services
Channa Bush — Vice President, Human Resources
Edwin Galletti — Vice President, Violence Intervention & Prevention Services
Fred Long — Vice President, Development
Tina Ruiz — Vice President, Quality & Impact
Maria Kamenaki — Senior Program Administrator
DeAngelo Washington — Facilities Director
Populations served
Youth and young adults Families affected by trauma Children in foster care Pregnant and parenting teens Community members in violence-vulnerable areas Youth in the state child welfare system Children removed from homes due to abuse or neglect
Setting
Combination
On-site therapies
Behavioral health services Counseling (including telehealth) Residential therapeutic services
Services
Foster care (traditional, specialized, and adolescent) Transitional teen services (group living and independent living) Nurturing parenting program Teen parenting service network Violence intervention and prevention services Workforce development Youth development Foster grandparenting Alumni services
Programs
UCAN Academy (therapeutic day school, 2 locations) Behavioral Health Services Violence Intervention and Prevention Services Foster Care and Transitional Services Transitional Teen Services Workforce Development Youth Development Foster Grandparenting Alumni Services and Association
Founded
Over 150 years
Accreditations & approvals
COA (Council on Accreditation)
Phone
773-588-0180
Highlights
Serves over 9,100 underrepresented children, youth, and families across Illinois; has been operating for over 150 years; operates UCAN Academy therapeutic day school at 2 locations.
Approach
UCAN leads with transformational interventions so that families and communities can be safe and prosper, emphasizing healing, compassion, advocacy for justice, integrity, inclusiveness, and youth voice, with a continuum of care allowing clients to transition between programs as needs change.

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What to look for in a special-needs school

  • Population served (autism, emotional/behavioral, learning differences) and the age/grade range
  • Whether it's an ISBE-approved nonpublic facility — districts can place and fund students there
  • On-site therapies (OT/PT/speech/behavioral)
  • Day vs. residential
  • How transitions back to public school work

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