CareerAbility was founded to meet a vital element of Chapel Haven’s mission: meaningful employment for the individuals we serve.

Predicated upon a job seeker’s abilities and interests.

Enhance each person’s quality of life.

Based upon opportunity and Choice.

Allows each person to earn a competitive wage in an integrated work environment.

Each job seeker directs their service as they enter the workforce.

View recent presentations to learn more about CareerAbility

An Overview of
Customized Employment Options

CHSC Meet and Greet:
An Overview of CareerAbility

Workplace Wednesday

What makes the CareerAbility*
employment model exceptional

A unique state-of-the-art hybrid assessment process, incorporating career advisement and vocational elements

A broad range of opportunities for career exploration

Job Skill Development

Enhanced employment placement services

And what is an ultimate placement? Our tag line is “lifelong employment tailored to your needs.”

BROAD PREFERENCES & BROAD APTITUDES

We listen, assess, and take time to understand your  interests and employment considerations.

CAREER EXPLORATION SELECTION

We facilitate discovery and explore careers to help get a real understanding of what a career is like in a particular field, as well asyour strengths, challenges, interests and motivation.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT ADVISEMENT

CareerAbility’s uniquely administered assessment combines industry gold standards in vocational and clinical assessment tools.

 

REFINE SUITABLE JOB PARAMETERS

…and our Career Development Advisor helps you to narrow down what you like to do in a personal and career development plan.

OPTIMALLY SUITED JOB PLACEMENT & RETENTION

This process translates into long term success!

We take a person-centered approach to career development.

Where We Work…

As each day goes by, we are working to grow our relationships even further

That is why our results are so far above the national average

NATIONAL AVERAGE

CareerAbility RESULTS

Skill
development

NATIONAL AVERAGE

44%

of working-age adults with developmental challenges or autism are receiving job skill development

CareerAbility RESULTS

100%

of adults referred to CareerAbility with developmental and social disabilities are receiving job skill development.

Employment
placement

NATIONAL AVERAGE

Only 18%

of working-age adults with developmental challenges or autism actively seeking are competitively employed.

CareerAbility RESULTS

71%

of adults referred to CareerAbility with developmental challenges or autism have been placed in competitive employment. (2020-2021)

Employment
retention

NATIONAL AVERAGE

62%

adults with developmental challenges or autism that remain in competitive employment for at least 90 days

The national average statistics came from Bureau of Labor Statistics [2019] and ODEP/DOL (2018).

CareerAbility RESULTS

90%

of adults remain in competitive employment for at least 90 days or more.

CareerAbility is allocated into two key areas:

WORK-BASED LEARNING & TRAINING

Work-Based Learning – PAVE, Retail Sales Training, Introduction to Food Service

Discovery/Career Exploration

Pre-Vocational Instruction

 

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Volunteering (Career Related)

Job Placement

Job Negotiation (Customized Employment)

On the Job Training/Internships

On Site/Off Site Employment Support

Workplace Forums & Instruction

 

Career Advisement takes place throughout your CareerAbility experience

Other key features…

CareerAbility teaches you soft skills and the “hidden workplace curriculum.”  We also provide job coaching to assist you with acclimating to the work environment and to support your success.

We are proud of our results and grateful to the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation for their financial support and vision in the founding of CareerAbility

Contact Info:
Gabriella Rodriguez
Administrative & Program Assistant
CareerAbility Center
(203) 397-1714, ext. 210

Sarah Elsdon, NCSP, Director of CareerAbility

Sarah Elsdon CareerAbility

Sarah Elsdon, NCSP, Director of CareerAbilityhas been with CareerAbility since April 2019. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, bringing passion and expertise to our team working with adults with social and cognitive disabilities.  Sarah previously worked for Chapel Haven while attending college from 2006-2012 in the Recreation department. She loves our community and is excited to be back. Sarah lives in Wallingford, CT with her husband and puppy. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, attending concerts, and trying new restaurants.

Sarah Elsdon, NCSP
Director, CareerAbility
 selsdon@chapelhaven.org     
(203) 397-1714 – ext. 215