The Chasing Hope Foundation: Empowering Communities

In most states, local property taxes fund school districts.  In Illinois, local school districts receive over 50% of an entire property tax bill. 

K-12 schools use this revenue to operate each of their schools.

By law, every school must provide a "free and appropriate" education in the "least restrictive environment" to every child who lives in their catchment district.

When a child has needs that exceed the resources that school district can provide, the district is obligated to pay the costs of educating that student outside of the district, whether it is a therapeutic day school or residential placement.

Schools are reimbursed a portion of what they spend on these out-of-district placements from the state of Illinois.  However, therapeutic boarding schools represent the highest cost to districts.

In 2025 the average tuition, room and board at one of these specialized schools is $225,000 PER YEAR, PER STUDENT.

The Chasing Hope Foundation's innovative approach to neighborhood-based residential supports reduces the amount of money school districts are obligated to pay.

The above letter details the costs one school district incurred during one year of a two and a half year placement in an out-of-state therapeutic boarding school for ONE student.

Businesses understand the importance of keeping local dollars in the community.  

When residents eat in local restaurants, buy daily staples at local brick and mortar stores and choose local venues for special events, the entire community benefits.

When families take their purchasing power outside the state, local businesses take a financial hit.

By providing an attractive alternative to an out-of-state boarding school to families, tax dollars that are generated by the local economy remain in the local economy.

Public policy governs every element of ours lives, every day.  While we might not see it, we experience it one way another.

From setting the speed limit, mandatory retirement age for pilots and establishing property taxes, governments touch every person in some aspect.

Complying with government regulations, at every level is of utmost importance to the Chasing Hope Foundation.  As such, we reached out to our state legislators (at the time - 2016) to understand what the state of Illinois required from us in order to operate.

Additionally, we needed to know in detail what state agencies oversaw our operations and what information we must provide and when.

State Representative Robyn Gabel and her staff were incredibly helpful in outlining every step in the process.

Obtaining certification as a Child Welfare Agency, then as a Residential Provider, from the Department of Children and Family Services is the first step in the process.  

Next, the Illinois State Board of Education's Purchased Care Review Board sets the rate of reimbursement providers may charge for services.

School districts pay providers the approved amount.  This is the revenue stream for the Chasing Hope Foundation.

Attending a therapeutic boarding school usually means that a student has to withdraw from their current school, move out of the family's home and into an out-of-state campus.

When students live in another state from their families, that means parents must buy plane tickets just to see their child.

Not only does this create a financial burden on the family, this is money that cannot be spent in the local economy, saved for college or retirement or donated to local non-profit organizations.

By law, school districts must pay for the educational costs for every student living in their catchment area. This is typically done through general education public schools.  

For students who have needs that come before academics - visible and hidden differences - a specialized environment and teaching can be the difference between success and failure.

If a student's needs cannot be met in a traditional setting, the school district is still responsible for funding the appropriate school placement.

For students who benefit from a 24/7 supportive, structured and supervised environment, this usually means that a student leaves their home district school and family home and transfers to a therapeutic boarding school.

In 2025 the average tuition, room and board at one of these specialized schools is $225,000 PER YEAR, PER STUDENT.

For most families, this means buying a plane ticket to see their child, spending personal income on travel-related expenses and making it increasingly difficult to secure paid employment after high school graduation.

The Chasing Hope Foundation's innovative model of neighborhood-based  support is rooted in keeping families together, lowering costs for taxpayers and fostering better outcomes for students. 

When students have the chance to learn a skill, trade or industry close to home, they are much better prepared to become a paid employee.  

Rather than being forced to rely on government resources, with the restrictions that go with it, students can create the lives they want for themselves.

By remaining in the neighborhoods they have called home, students can take advantage of relationships with local business owners and honing skills through apprenticeships.

After high school graduation, students who have remained close to home can be prepared for independent living and full-time, paid employment.

Local Chambers of Commerce understand the value of having local resources stay within communities.  (Please see above letter from the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce).

From disposable income being spent  in local stores, restaurants and civic endeavors, and having families live near one another leads to healthier communities and stronger neighborhoods.