About Us

Mission & History

Our Mission: Clearbrook is committed to being a leader in creating innovative opportunities, services and support for people with disabilities.

• Fall 1955
  Five families meet with the hopes of establishing a school for their special needs children.
  
  
• April 16, 1956
  Clearbrook’s first classroom opens in a barn in Rolling Meadows, designated as the “Rolling Meadows Community School for Retarded Children Council.”
  
  
• Spring 1957
  Articles of Incorporation are filed for the Rolling Meadows School for Retarded Children and the first Board of Directors is established.
  
  
• 1961
  Clearbrook acquires its first permanent building.
  
  
• Fall 1965
  The Clearbrook Vocational Rehabilitation Center opens with an enrollment of five trainees in a converted shoe repair shop in Rolling Meadows.
  
  
• March 31, 1970
  The Board of Directors approves the change in the corporate name, eliminating “For the Retarded” to reflect the expansion of the agency’s services to a broader group of individuals.
  
  
• July 7, 1973
  Clearbrook’s first residential program opens when adult clients move into a Community Living Facility in Arlington Heights.
  
  
• October 1, 1974
  Clearbrook launches its Early Intervention/Infant Stimulation Program, called CHILD (Clearbrook Helps Infants Learn and Develop).
  
  
• April 26, 1978
  Clearbrook inaugurates a new residential program known as the Supported Living Arrangement.
  
  
• June 1979
  The day school closes due to educational opportunities offered by the public school system, as mandated by public law 94-142. The school is replaced by another educational day program, Day Training for Special Needs.
  
  
• October 30, 1985
  Clearbrook Commons opens as home to 90 residents.
  
  
• August 1987
  Clearbrook purchases the former Sacred Heart of Mary High School building in Rolling Meadows and moves its administrative offices and workshops to that location.
  
  
• February 6, 1989
  The Day Training Transition Program, designed to prepare Day Training clients for future opportunities in a workshop setting, is established.
  
  
• September 1989
  Children’s Services implements the Preschool Mainstream Program for three- and four-year olds, offering support to special needs children, their families and community preschool staffs.
  
  
• Spring 1991
  The Clearbrook Clinic, designed to provide therapies to clients and the community, opens.
  
  
• September 1993
  Specialized senior day services are offered through the Developmental Training Program.
  
  
• May 1996
  The Wright Home in Gurnee comes under Clearbrook management.
  
  
• July 1996
  The Respite Program begins providing in-home care to parents with children up to the age of three. The Supported Employment Program is also introduced.
  
  
• Fall 1996
  The PAL (Partners in Adults Learning) partnership is comprised of four families, Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU), and Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) is formed and develops an innovative community-based day program for young adults with developmental disabilities.
  
  
• Summer 1997
  “Center” is dropped from the Clearbrook name to more fully reflect the numerous locations serving clients.
  
  
• September 1997
  Clearbrook is awarded Child and Family Connections (CFC) of North/Northwest Cook County.
  
  
• April 1999
  Practically Perfect Resale Shop opens at southwest corner of Central and Wilke in Arlington Heights.
  
  
• Summer 2001
  Administrative offices move to Arlington Heights, while a new Developmental Training facility opens in Schaumburg.
  
  
• June 2002
  Clearbrook holds the 1st Annual Women's Classic, a unique golf tournament created by women for women.
  
  
• July 2005
  Employment Services and the PAL Program relocate to a new building in Palatine.
  
  
• June 2006
  Employment Services and PAL Program building in Palatine is named in honor of the memories of parent Burton and client Eric Getz.
  
  
• January 2007
  The Hope/Clearbrook Partnership opens a group home for women with autism located in Hoffman Estates.
  
  
• June 2008
  The Hope/Clearbrook Partnership opens a group home for young men with autism located in Buffalo Grove.
  
  
• July 2009
  As the largest provider of in-home services in the State, the LIFE Program achieves the milestone of serving its 500th family.