Professional Learning Specialist DR. DIANE WOLF DR. DIANE WOLF < Back DR. DIANE WOLF More about Diane Professional Learning Specialist Dr. Diane Wolf is an experienced educational leader, coach, and consultant with more than 30 years serving Illinois schools. Her career spans classroom teaching, district and regional leadership, and statewide instructional support. She began her leadership journey at ROE 17 as Assistant Regional Superintendent and Professional Development Coordinator, supporting school improvement and instructional growth across multiple districts. She later served as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for District 87 in Bloomington, where she led systemwide instructional initiatives, leadership development, and strategic planning. Dr. Wolf has coached more than 100 principals and superintendents throughout her career, helping leaders strengthen instruction, build strong teams, and create environments where students and staff can thrive. She is known for her work in Assessment Literacy, Leadership Development and Strategic Systems. She has also been a national presenter for Aha! Process with Dr. Ruby Payne and for Corwin Press alongside Larry Ainsworth and Dr. John Hattie. For over two decades, she has taught at Illinois State University in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, preparing future teachers and educational leaders. She believes strong schools start with strong leadership. dwolf@west40.org Previous Next

By The Numbers See the annual results of our advocacy, service, and legislative funding efforts. Annual Reports Click on the purple headings to view the Annual Report 2025 Annual Report 2022 Annual Report 2024 Annual Report 2023 Annual Report

Helping Kids Achieve Success West40 serves students and families in West Cook County through various student programs, transforming students into flourishing members of their communities. CONTINUUM OF SERVICES A caring continuum of social-emotional and academic support. For a struggling student, problems tend to have a domino effect. We focus on removing barriers that interfere with a student's ability to find success. Through positive relationship building, mentoring, goal setting, and family engagement, West40 Advocacy Programs effectively address barriers by turning them into opportunities for growth; fostering skillsets that afford every student the opportunity to thrive. TRUANCY OUTREACH PROGRAM: Walking alongside students and teen parents to reach attendance and academic goals DOWNLOAD PDF OF CONTINUUM OF SERVICES BY THE NUMBERS See the annual results of our advocacy, service, and legislative funding efforts. LEARN MORE HEAR THEIR STORIES Explore powerful stories of redemption, success, and creativity. Learn how West40 is affecting lives in our communities. LEARN MORE HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. JOE GAGE Senior Director of Student Programs jgage@west40.org RENEE MAKRIS Senior Director of Student Programs rmakris@west40.org

Resources for Districts Resources for Districts After School Support Purpose: The After School Programs Grant provides opportunities and funding outside of the school day to improve academic outcomes, student enrichment, and community partnerships for support services Some previous After School Program grant funded opportunities are: Educational field trips for students enrolled in the Safe School, Remote School, and ALOPs Supplies and materials purchasing for student usage during After School Programming After school tutoring programs for students West40 Annual Backpack GiveBack Funded internships for ALOP students Community scholarships to increase accessibility to programming in community-based organizations (CBOs) To inquire about opportunities to receive funding or participate in After School Programming, please complete this form Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Mental Health Support School Safety HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. CARA WILEY Director of Grants cwiley@west40.org KATIE ELVIDGE Associate Director of Grants kelvidge@west40.org

West40 Project Manager for CPS/Professional Learning Specialist TERRI WILCOX TERRI WILCOX < Back TERRI WILCOX More about Terri West40 Project Manager for CPS/Professional Learning Specialist Terri Wilcox, M.Ed ., PMP has been an educator for over 35 years working as a teacher, school administrator, district office administrator, then moving into coaching schools, districts and their communities of people to support school improvement. She spent 19 years with Chicago Public Schools, and has coached districts and schools across the state of Illinois and across the country. This coaching work involves assessing needs based on data, creating a focused plan that is implemented and monitored across multiple aspects of schools and districts. She enjoys helping schools reach their goals! She is also a Project Management Professional (PMP). Other interests include traveling, dancing and music. twilcox@west40.org Previous Next

General Support Funding Opportunities Funding Request Form General Guidelines Illinois Funding Opportunities Federal Funding Opportunities ISBE Funding Opportunities ISBE Fiscal Policies and Procedures Handbook Uniform Guidance - Code of Federal Regulations Grants Glossary Need support bringing your vision to life? West40 is here to help! If you are seeking grant funding to expand programs, services, or opportunities across your school district or organization, submit your request below to explore how we may be able to partner with you for FY27. Google Form HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. FILL OUT THIS FORM

Data Privacy West40 follows strict guidelines to ensure that the data of our staff, studetns and constituents is protected. West40 adheres to all applicable state and federal statutes (see below 1-4) West40 takes data privacy very seriously. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that the data of our staff, students, and constituents is protected. West40 adheres to all applicable state and federal statutes including but not limited to SOPPA (Student Online Personal Protection Act), FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), COPPA (Children’s Online Personal Protection Act), and CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act). West40 uses LearnPlatform to manage student data privacy contract information. If you would like to view the West40 Vendor Data Privacy Agreements please visit the following link: https://west40.app.learnplatform.com/new/public Parents seeking to exercise their rights under SOPPA may do so by contacting the Data Privacy Officer. West40’s Data Privacy Officer is Josh Boies and he can be reached at jboies@west40.org . CIPA – CIPA is a Federal law enacted in 2000 to protect children from harmful and inappropriate internet content. It also ties a financial incentive for districts to follow guidelines in order to receive discounts on online educational services. COPPA – COPPA is a Federal law enacted in 1998. COPPA gives parents control over what data is collected about their children online at school, and specifically targets students under age 13. COPPA covers websites as well as apps. SOPPA – SOPPA is a State law than ensures digital data collected by schools is handled in an appropriate matter. This law requires districts to have a plan in place in case of a digital breach of students’ and/or educators’ digital data. This includes information such as name, date of birth, SSN, and more. The law states that reasonable security procedures and policies must be in place, and requires districts to list all agreements publicly on the district website. Visit this link to see find information. https://west40.app.learnplatform.com/new/public FERPA – FERPA is a Federal law enacted in 1974 that protects student academic records. This law is applicable to any and all schools that receive funds from the U.S. Department of Education. Under FERPA, parents/guardians are given specific rights that pertain to these academic records. Once a student graduates or turns 18, these rights transfer from the parents to the students. Data Breach – As required by SOPPA, in the event that a data breach occurs which involves student data, a summary of the breach will be posted here. Breaches that involve less than 10% of a school’s enrollment, do not include student covered information, do not require parent notification, or any breach that occurred prior to July 1, 2021 or within the past five (5) years, whichever is earlier, may not be reported here.

Educational Services The West40 Services team assists with compliance, licensure, background checks, school security, and behavioral threat assessment and management, helping schools to put student safety at the forefront and minimize downtime. HOW WE HELP COMPLIANCE LICENSURE FINGERPRINTING HEALTH/LIFE SAFETY SCHOOL SAFETY AND THREAT ASSESSMENT WEST40 TESTING CENTER BY THE NUMBERS 2024-2025 152 117 69 770+ School Inspections Non-Public School Recognition Visits Building Permits Compliance Items Verified at Partner Districts $133,184,145 Total Projected Cost of Building Permits Issued HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. STEVE BOGREN Chief Comprehensive Educational Services Officer sbogren@west40.org PHILIP ABRAHAM Director of Comprehensive Educational Services pabraham@west40.org WIL GAGE Director of School Safety & Threat Assessment wgage@west40.org

Current Partners Forms & Documents Invoicing Funding Request General Guidelines INVOICING If you are a current partner receiving funding from a West40 grant, please use the following form to submit your monthly invoicing documentation covering July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. Google Form FUNDING REQUEST Google Form Need support bringing your vision to life? West40 is here to help! If you are seeking grant funding to expand programs, services, or opportunities across your school district or organization, submit your request above to explore how we may be able to partner with you for FY27. GENERAL GUIDELINES ISBE Fiscal Policies and Procedures Handbook Uniform Guidance - Code of Federal Regulations Grants Glossary HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. FILL OUT THIS FORM

The West40 ALOP (Alternative Learning Opportunities Program) is designed to increase school completion rates/graduation rates for students who are struggling by removing barriers and giving them the support they need. Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP) West40 advocates are the support system to help students stay on track toward success. HOW WE HELP The West40 ALOP (Alternative Learning Opportunities Program) is designed to increase school completion rates/graduation rates for students who are struggling by removing barriers and giving them the support they need. Along with academic and attendance support, our advocates build relationships with our students by infusing social-emotional learning and behavioral support into their days and fostering positive engagement. Advocating for Elementary Students: Scott School Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied WHO WE SERVE ALOP programs are designed to serve students in grades K-12+ who may be struggling in academics, attendance, behavior, or who are otherwise considered “at-risk”. This includes students who may have just returned from hospitalization, are credit deficient, homeless, chronically absent, needing social emotional mentorship or excessive behavioral referrals. Link to Map Our staff has seen the direct benefits of this program and how it serves as a bridge for students working through various social and emotional matters that can interfere with their education. The Tapestry program is a great resource that allows students to stay connected to school while receiving the support they need to achieve their high school diploma. " Dr. Kevin Skinkis, Superintendent, Township District 208 51 3,869 Participating Schools Total Students Served 78 Successfully Transitioned Back to Home School 599 Graduates 6,167 Credits Earned HEAR THEIR STORIES LEARN MORE Explore powerful stories of redemption, success, and creativity. Learn how West40 is affecting lives in our communities. HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. JOE GAGE Senior Director of Student Programs jgage@west40.org RENEE MAKRIS Senior Director of Student Programs rmakris@west40.org YESSENIA OLIVAS Director of ALOP Operations yolivas@west40.org

School Improvement Coordinator DR. LAVERNE COKE WRIGHT DR. LAVERNE COKE WRIGHT < Back DR. LAVERNE COKE WRIGHT More about LaVerne School Improvement Coordinator Dr. LaVerne Coke Wright is an accomplished educator who has served as a teacher, leader, and administrator across both public and charter school settings. She currently leads a team at West40 in partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), collaborating with Learning Partner Schools to design and refine effective school improvement processes and aligned supports. Her work ensures coherence with CPS and ISBE priorities while advancing high impact continuous improvement through disciplined implementation, team feedback, and ongoing learning. Dr. Coke Wright is committed to fostering psychological safety and leveraging collective expertise to strengthen team effectiveness, model strong adult learning practices, and support sustainable school improvement. In addition, she serves as a Research Associate for the UIC/CPS SPARKLE research initiative, contributing to the study of schools demonstrating strong and equitable outcomes and helping to develop models that inform and strengthen practice across diverse school communities. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active through swimming, biking, and running, as well as watching sports and traveling. laverne.cokewright@west40.org Previous Next

Data Scientist DR. BEN DITKOWSKY DR. BEN DITKOWSKY < Back DR. BEN DITKOWSKY More about Ben Data Scientist Ben specializes in using data to improve teaching and learning. He believes proper use and analysis of data can equip educators with better and well-informed decisions that affect student learning. bditkowsky@west40.org Previous Next