RRAF

RRAF, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, exempt from taxation
as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code.

Established in 1981, RRAF provides day services and in-home support to adults with developmental
disabilities who reside with their families throughout DuPage and Western Cook counties.  RRAF has for
the fifth consecutive survey been awarded the highest level of accreditation possible through CARF, the
Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission - a three year award term.  We are accredited in the area of
Community Services; our focus being Community Integration.  We are also proud to say that RRAF
maintained a 100% compliance rating with the Illinois Department of Human Services for six consecutive
years for our Developmental Training program, from 1997 through 2002. In 2003, after having increased the
number of individuals served by 33% within one year, RRAF received a 99% rating.  We have since been
able to continue our expansion of individuals while maintaining an additional  seven consecutive 100%
ratings in the years 2004 through 2010.

RRAF is a unique agency in that it provides services without the use of behavior management techniques.  
For many families, it is vital that their loved one is respected and understood – that behaviors are viewed as
communication, not as “acting out”.  This philosophy, coupled with RRAF’s individualized approach to
services, allows the flexibility to support individuals with autism and other communication deficits both on-
site and within the community.

RRAF is, in large measure, the creation of Sam and Rosemary Lapertosa.  Their dream was to create a
program that their own son with autism, Sam, Jr., could attend once he completed high school.  The
Lapertosas lobbied tirelessly for the funds necessary to begin providing day services, and these services
began in the fall of 1987.  However, just as RRAF began to hit its stride, Sam and Rosemary passed away
within one year of each other. But thanks to the solid foundation laid by the Lapertosas and everyone else
associated with RRAF, we were able to continue the journey they had begun.

Another dream was realized in early 2001 when RRAF purchased and moved to a vastly improved site in the
Village of Lombard.  This fulfilled our initial goal of providing expanded services to those currently in our care
by being able to provide a vocational room with Internet access, a kitchen area, and a laundry room.  We
were also able to immediately expand our census from twelve to sixteen with the increased space the new
facility provided.  In the fall of 2002 we were able to complete needed parking lot improvements required by
the Village of Lombard.

In January of 2003, RRAF acquired the property immediately next to our current site.  The former owner
leased the building through the end of 2004, however, the purchase of this property immediately gave RRAF
the ability to increase our census at our current site because of the increased parking this additional
property afforded.  We were given approval from the Village of Lombard to increase our census from sixteen
to twenty-four.

In early 2005 we took possession of the building at 619 South Main Street.  Needed remodeling was
undertaken during 2005 and early 2006 and the building is now being utilized to additional day services.  
This has enabled us to increase our census even further and provide additional educational and vocational
experiences for those we serve.  Our current census is 57 and we hope to expand to a capacity of
approximately 36 by the time our current facilities have been maxed out.  It's already time to begin planning
for what's next!
Our Profile and History