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 as, your 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
Sarah Elsdon, NCSP, Director of CareerAbility
Sarah Elsdon, NCSP, Director of CareerAbility, has 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