Mary P. Drabik has over 20 years of experience in program management and employment services for people with disabilities. She created and expanded the Employment Services Program at the Kenneth Young Center through grant writing and procurement. The program has helped hundreds of clients find jobs and improve their lives. Ms. Drabik also has experience in case management, community outreach, budget planning, and developing partnerships with employers and advocacy organizations to promote diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

1. Mary P. Drabik
126 S. Park St. Westmont, IL 60559 - C - 630-309-4392 H - 630-960-4392 - marypdrabik@gmail.com
Summary
Overtwentyyearsof program management. Experiencedandcreative program developerandleader,successful
historyof grant procurementandimplementation. Lengthy historyof relationships andcollaborationwithbothnational
and local advocacyand social policyorganizations. Foundingmemberof SERN,(Self EmploymentResourcesNetwork)
an organizationof stakeholdersand service providersthatadvancedopportunitiesfor self employmentforpersonswith
disabilities. Extensive experience insuccessfullypromotingandplacingdisabledcandidatesinjobs. Longterm,
productive collaborationwiththe State of IllinoisDepartmentof HumanServices, Divisionof RehabilitationServices.
Educatedand partneredwithnumerousemployersonthe benefitsof employingdisabledworkers.
Core Strengths
Clientandemployerengagement
Grant writing,procurementandimplementation
Communityoutreach
Budgetplanningandmonitoring
Publicspeaking
Exceptional oral andwrittencommunication
Commitmenttodiversityandinclusion
Program evaluationandgoal setting
Comprehensiveknowledge of the ADA (AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct)
Case management
Communityoutreach
Professional Experience
EmploymentServices Program Coordinator,KennethYoung Center 1996 to July 2016
Createdthe KennethYoungCenter EmploymentServicesProgramthroughprocurementof private funding andthen,
throughsubmissionof aproposal tothe DivisiononRehabilitationServices (DRS) of the State of Illinois,obtainedstate
and federal funding.
Throughrepeatedgrant submissionsandapprovals,increasedandexpandedthe programto serve KennethYoung
Centerclientsand people fromthe surroundingcommunities. Extendedservicestomore severe disabilitygroups.
Appliedforandobtainedprivate sectorgrantsto improve educational opportunitiesforclientsand toserve diverse
cultural populations
In 2013 the program beganimplementationof IPS(Individual PlacementandSupport) services. Thisisanevidence-
based,bestpractice model,developedbyDartmouthUniversitytoserve individualswithseriousmentalillnessby
assistingthemwithjobplacement,retentionandprovidingongoingsupport.
The EmploymentServicesProgramhasassistedhundredsof clientstobecome employedandimprove theirlives. In
additiontoemploymentassistance,the programhasbeenaforce forthe promotionof disabilityrights, partneringwith
manyagenciesandorganizationstofacilitate accesstoemployment,housingandtransportation. Manyemployment
partnershave workedwithprogramstaff to trainand employthese clients,resultinginamore enlightened,educated
and diverse communityworkforce.

2. Mary P. Drabik
EmploymentCounselorand Coordinator of Volunteer Program 1989 to 1996
ProvidedemploymentservicestoCILA (CommunityIntegratedLivingArrangement) clientstohelpthemtomore
completelyintegrateintotheircommunitiesbyengagement inwork,housingandsocial activities.
Workedwithareaemployers,avarietyof organizations,includingIDES (IllinoisDepartmentof EmploymentSecurity) and
Harper College toprepare clientsforemploymentandplace theminjobs,the majorityof whom, hadnowork history.
Developed curriculumforaCommunityEmploymentProgramandeducatedclientsinjobseeking,resumedevelopment
and interviewing.
Providedbenefitscounselingand became asubjectmatterexpertinpublicentitlementsandworkincentives.
Coordinatedthe Compeerprogram,anational model mental healthprogramthatmatched mentallyill peopleto
volunteerfriends/mentors.
Marketedthe program,screenedvolunteersandmatchedthemtoclientswhotendedtoisolateorhadexpresseda
desire forsocial interaction. Monitoredthe relationshipsthroughhosting events,checkinginwithclientsand
volunteersandclinicians.
Education
WesternIllinoisUniversity,Macomb,IL B.A.Sociology
VolunteerExperience
Two termmemberof HolyTrinitySchool Board,CommunityRelationsManager
Referencesavailable uponrequest