HOMER TOWNSHIP HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER SPECIAL NEEDS GRANT
WHAT IS THE HTHC SPECIAL NEEDS GRANT?
The Homer Township Highway Commissioner and the Village of Homer Glen’s Ability Awareness Committee have established the Special Needs Grant to assist adults with special needs to further their training and/or education. The intent is to maximize their employment, independence, and integration into the community and the competitive labor market.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
- Must be a resident of Homer Township.
Proof of residency will be required - Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of nomination.
Birth Certificate will be required (can be obtained from County Clerk’s office). - Must provide proof of Special Needs Diagnosis
Nominees must submit a copy of the medical documentation that established their special needs diagnosis conducted by a licensed medical professional. - Relatives of Homer Township, Homer Road District or Village of Homer Glen elected officials are not eligible to be nominated.
NOMINATION PROCESS:
To nominate someone for the grant please complete the online nomination form (link below), which includes an essay submission.
Essay Questions: Nominator must respond to the following questions in 500 words or less.
- Explain nominee’s specific learning disability, how it has challenged them, and specific strategies they have used to cope.
- Discuss nominee’s accomplishments (i.e. extra-curricular activities, community service, and work accomplishments).
- What career do they hope to pursue?
- How would this grant benefit them, and why do you think they should be selected to receive it?
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE NOMINATION FORM
SELECTION PROCESS:
The Ability Awareness Committee will review all eligible nominees and provide points for each candidate on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, in the following categories:
- Need for Grant based on why they feel they should receive it
- Past accomplishments and how the grant will help improve their future
- Community involvement – past and future
- Career Goals
Subsequent to scoring by the Ability Awareness Committee, The Homer Township Highway Commissioner, Brent Porfilio, will review the scores and take them into consideration when selecting the overall winner.
TIMELINE:
February 1, 2023: Nomination Window Opens
April 1, 2023: Nomination Window closes at Midnight
May 1, 2023: Winner will be notified
TBD: Awards Banquet
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. Who is sponsoring the HTHC Special Grant Program?
A. The Homer Township Highway Commissioner and The Village of Homer Glen Ability Awareness Committee.
Q. What inspired the creation of this program?
A. The Homer Township Highway Commissioner has an adult son with Special Needs, and throughout his son’s adult years after the age of 22 there have been numerous financial challenges in getting a job, including training and certifications. This Grant is a way to help other Special Needs adults overcome these same financial challenges on their way to becoming independent and gaining lifetime employment.
Q. What will HTHC Special Needs Grant winner receive?
A. The 2023 grant will award the winner with a $5,000 grant
Q. Who is administering the grant program?
A. The Homer Township Highway Commissioner and The Village of Homer Glen Ability Awareness Committee.
Q. Who can be nominated and how must nominations be submitted?
A. Anyone can be nominated, as long as the candidate meets the eligibility criteria. Nominees are to be submitted online using the link: Grant Application.
Q. What constitutes a “special need” for purpose of this award?
A. For the purpose of this award, “special need” is defined as an individual with an Intellectual disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills.
Q. What criteria will be used to judge nominations?
A. The following criteria will be used to judge nominees:
- Need for Grant based on why they feel they should receive it
- Past accomplishments and how the grant will help improve their future
- Community involvement – past and future
- Career Goals
Q. Who will serve as judges?
A. The Homer Township Highway Commission and members of the Village of Homer Glen Ability Awareness Committee
Q. Who do I contact if I have a question and how?
A. Dave Medema, davem@homerhighway.com or 708.301.0632.
Q. Will I receive an acknowledgement when my nomination has been received?
A. After a nomination is submitted through the online grant application portal, a confirmation that the submission was received will automatically be displayed on the screen. There will be no other further communication from the nomination committee, unless your submission has been chosen as an award recipient.
Q. How will the Winner be notified?
A. The Winner will be notified via the email submitted with the application. Applicants are invited to attend an awards banquet, date to be determined.