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Life Skills through Career Program

Chestnut Hill College’s Life Skills through Career Program, a licensed 2380 program through the state of Pennsylvania, is designed to offer supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder. By offering vocational training, life skills development, family systems therapy and supports on a college campus, according to the Office of Development Programs, this program is the first of its kind in the state of Pennsylvania.

Chestnut Hill College is an approved provider for the Office of Developmental Programs and accepts several waivers, assuring that individuals who are approved for funding can have access to these services.  

Our Mission

The goal of the Life Skills through Career Program at Chestnut Hill College is to provide underserved individuals the opportunity to live independently or interdependently, with the support of their families/caregivers in a career of their choice. The program utilizes person-centered planning with a focus on the development of the individual’s greatest skills, their family and support system; individuals will come to Chestnut Hill College to learn how to live and prosper in a life of their choosing.

Discovering ‘One’s Greatest Skill’ at CHC

Founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill College believes in a mission focused on serving our Dear Neighbor without distinction and with an active and inclusive love for all. This mission extends to the Life Skills through Career Program, the first of its kind in the state. Vetted by the Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, CHC’s program is true to mission by providing resources to a community of individuals who are often underserved, aging out of many resources by the time they reach adulthood.

This 24-month vocational, life skills, family systems, and supports program bridges that gap by providing the opportunity for individuals to learn skills necessary to become employed and support themselves while also providing resources to family and friends by empowering them with the knowledge, tools, and skills needed to support their loved one in the program.

Chestnut Hill’s Life Skills through Career Program accomplishes this with a multi-pronged approach:

Vocational Training

This aspect of the program focuses on identifying “One’s Greatest Skill.” This skill or passion will be identified and fostered so that an individual can develop the tools needed for a career of their choice.

Life Skills Development

This aspect of the program focuses on the skills and tools needed for independent or interdependent living. Programming will develop an individual’s ability to participate in activities of daily living such as shopping, cleaning, cooking, and personal finance. The goal is for the individual to be able to learn to support themselves with dignity.

Family Systems Therapy and Supports

Our goal is to support not only the individuals in the program – but also their families and caregivers. As an individual moves on from our program after two years, they must have a support system in place os that they can succeed and prosper. By encouraging and enabling this type of support, we can provide education and tools for an individual’s support circle – increasing the potential for sustainable success.

College Community

The individuals in the Life Skills through Career Program will be members of the Chestnut Hill College community – having access to events, resources, and experiences that will make their journey unique.

  • stephen stunder headshot

    Stephen Stunder, Ed.D.

    Executive Director, Life Skills through Career Program
    Director of Neurodiversity Initiatives

    • Join our community and fill out an application today

    *Please email your application to stunders@chc.edu