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Little Friends highlights neurodiversity trainings with Warrenville officials and announces internships
Summary
Little Friends told the council it has trained more than 200 city employees and serves over 500 individuals; the nonprofit said it will support community events and work on employment training and internships with the library.
Nicole Fox, chief operating officer for the nonprofit Little Friends, thanked city officials April 7 for two years of partnership and described a training program on autism and other neurodiversities that reached more than 200 city employees and provided targeted training for police, fire and parks staff.
"We\'re serving well over 500 individuals and their family and supporting them with intellectual developmental disabilities, autism, and other neurodiversities," Fox said, describing two Warrenville sites and a staff of more than 350.
Fox said Little Friends and city staff worked on practical accommodations—sensory bags, visual supports and approaches to interactions such as traffic stops—and have conducted walkthroughs to identify site‑specific adjustments. She announced Little Friends will participate in an April 26 Arbor Day event and said the organization is working on employment training and two library internships involving a participant of Little Friends and a District 200 transition student.
City Administrator and the mayor recognized staff who led the initiative, including assistant city administrator Morgan and communications coordinator Paula Kraft, and thanked the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Committee for supporting the effort.
What’s next: Little Friends and city staff plan additional community events and continued coordination on internships and training opportunities.
