Cara Vande Voorde
Pecatonica,IL
Summary
Dedicated, compassionate, professional prepared to bring extensive expertise and results-oriented approach to a coordinator's role. Known for effectively managing tasks and supporting organizational goals through collaborative efforts and adaptive strategies. Recognized for excellent communication and analytical skills, ensuring seamless operations and consistent outcomes.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Accommodations Specialist
Rock Valley College
06.2021 - Current
- Provide direct support to 300-400 individuals with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)each semester.
- Conduct disability eligibility analyses through interviews with students and evaluating disability-related documentation.
- Determine reasonable accommodations needed for academic, personal, or professional success.
- Connect students to direct resources at the college and disability-related sources in the community.
- Interacted with campus constituencies in 30 departments regarding accessibility to ensure students gained equitable access and involvement in courses and programs.
- Facilitate and establish connections with 16 area high schools to promote fluid transition to post-secondary environments.
- Collaborate with 30 campus departments by providing education, disability compliance, and best practices.
RAISE Instructor
Rock Valley College
08.2019 - Current
- Promoted a positive learning environment for 17 students by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques.
- Promoted classroom safety, collaboration, and best practices.
- Tested and evaluated students on materials presented in workshops and classes.
- Tested students to assess progress and adapted learning plans in alignment with performance.
- Increased student participation via engaging lectures and assignments.
- Enhanced classroom collaboration through the implementation of group projects and team-building activities.
IIP Teacher
Winnebago County Special Education Cooperative
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Responsibilities included teaching and case managing 6 middle school students in a self-contained classroom at Pecatonica Middle School
- Designed middle school curriculum focusing on grade level academic topics and current events
- Planned and implemented adapted academic lessons/tests for inclusion students
- Developed individual visual schedules and positive behavior systems
- Implemented IEP goals using a variety of techniques and technologies
- Provided information and consulted with PT, OT, Speech and Social Worker on progress of goals
- Scheduled, conducted, and coordinated all aspects of the student's IEP
- Established and maintained communication with parents, Pecatonica personnel and school districts
PIP Teacher
Winnebago County Special Education Cooperative
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Responsibilities included teaching and case managing 10 elementary students in a self-contained classroom at Shirland School
- Created multisensory, whole language theme based curriculum
- Drafted and implemented IEP goals using a variety of techniques and technologies
- Developed individual visual schedules and positive behavior systems
- Implemented multisensory break times and theme based sensory bins
- Provided information and consulted with PT, OT, Speech and Social Workers on progress of goals
- Scheduled, conducted and coordinated all aspects of the student's IEP
- Established and maintained communication with parents, DCFS, foster parents, Shirland personnel and school districts
- Coordinated with therapists and staff on MDC's
Special Education Teacher/QMRP
Walter Lawson's Children's Home
01.1997 - 01.2001
- Responsibilities included teaching 10 students in a severe profound/classroom ages 10-14 and case managing 10-24 children with severe/profound disabilities ranging in ages of 9-18 years
- Fashioned whole language curriculum focusing on themes with a variety of literary genre
- Emphasized multisensory learning approach and use of adaptive assistance technology
- Developed alternate assessment portfolios and IEP's
- Coordinated and scheduled educational services, IEP and IPP meetings with therapists and in house staff
- Prepared necessary paperwork and monthly correspondence to the families
- Wrote and revised Individual Program Plans
- Scheduled medical services with nursing staff
Case Manager/QMRP
Goldie B. Floberg Center
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Responsibilities included case managing 20 children with developmental disabilities ages 8-21 years
- Composed and revised Individual Habilitation Plans
- Scheduled and conducted weekly department meetings and staffings
- Coordinated educational services, meetings with school personnel, and attended IEP's & MDC meetings
- Advocated for client's needs at school, with PASS-AR agencies, in court and with State Guardians
- Prepared necessary paperwork for DCFS wards, permanency planning hearings and six month ACR's
- Updated parents and guardians on the welfare of their son or daughter
- Worked with educational surrogates and guardians ad litem
- Organized and supervised family visits for DCFS clients
QMRP/House Manager/Foster Care
Opportunity House
01.1995 - 01.1996
- Responsibilities included case managing 11 adults with developmental disabilities, supervising 11 staff, and directing foster care homes
- Implemented licensing, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements to foster care/CILA homes
- Accurately evaluated foster care homes every quarter
- Interviewed, trained, and evaluated staff
- Appraised employees' work performance and administrated discipline measures/positive praise
- Managed CILA home budget, staff schedule, and home maintenance
- Prepared monthly schedules for foster care and CILA homes
- Assessed client's needs and developed Individual Service Plans around those needs
- Reviewed and revised goals, behavior plans, data collection charts, and staff directed activities
- Collaborated with clients, parents, guardians, and related agencies
- Coordinated and presented interdisciplinary team meetings and staffing
- Assured clients receive all services and benefits to which they are entitled
Education
Starlab Training -
Discovery Center Museum
Rockford, IL01.2013
Educational Surrogate Training -
State of Illinois
Rockford, IL01.2002
Additional Degree in Special Education: TMH -
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL05-1998
Foster Care Licensing Certificate -
State of Illinois
Rockford, IL01.1997
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL01.1995
Skills
- Analytical Problem-Solving
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Documentation management
- Workplace Professionalism
- Effective Time Management
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Self-Driven Initiative
- Time management
- Customer relations
Certification
- First Aid Certification
- CPR/AED Certification
- CERT Certification
- Tardive Dyskinesia Screening Certification
RVC Rookie of the Year Employee Award
Rookie of the Year is given to one employee working full time in the first 5 years of their employment. The RVC faculty and support staff can nominate a person for this award once a year. The nominator fills out an form with questions regarding why the person should receive this honor. The development team picks the person and announces it at the Annual Fall Conference. I received the award after being the Accommodation's Specialist for a year.
Timeline
Accommodations Specialist
Rock Valley College
06.2021 - Current
RAISE Instructor
Rock Valley College
08.2019 - Current
IIP Teacher
Winnebago County Special Education Cooperative
01.2004 - 01.2005
PIP Teacher
Winnebago County Special Education Cooperative
01.2001 - 01.2004
Special Education Teacher/QMRP
Walter Lawson's Children's Home
01.1997 - 01.2001
Case Manager/QMRP
Goldie B. Floberg Center
01.1996 - 01.1997
QMRP/House Manager/Foster Care
Opportunity House
01.1995 - 01.1996
Starlab Training -
Discovery Center Museum
Educational Surrogate Training -
State of Illinois
Additional Degree in Special Education: TMH -
Northern Illinois University
Foster Care Licensing Certificate -
State of Illinois
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Northern Illinois University