REACH (Residential Education at Chapel Haven) is the flagship program of Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, utilizing a life skills model that has helped hundreds of graduates master the art of living independent and productive lives.

Housed in a brand-new, four-story, state-of-the-art residential and classroom campus, our students enjoy 24/7 staff oversight as they navigate the beginnings of a truly adult, truly independent life.

Learning happens in our classrooms with our experienced teachers, in our apartment setting with the caring guidance of life skills instructors, in the village of Westville, where we are located, and out in the community.

Virtual Info Session About Chapel Haven Schleifer Center

Virtual Info Session, Learn About Reach

Chapel Haven’s REACH program is an ideal transition program for young adults with developmental disabilities, guiding them beyond the school years into a more fulfilling and independent adulthood

The REACH program is designed for young adults 18 years of age and older, with diagnoses including:

 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
 Autism Spectrum Disorders
 Down Syndrome
 Cerebral Palsy

REACH Calendars

Four Foundations of REACH

Chapel Haven’s year-round Functional Academics Program is second to none. We offer a wide range of coursework through a curriculum that encompasses blended subject areas: 
 Banking and Budgeting
 Clothing Management, Cleaning
 Reading Directions
 Music
 Ceramics
 Drawing
 Athletics
 Yearbook
 Social communication
Utilizing Public Transportation
Career Exploration, Resume Writing, and Workplace Social Skills classes are followed by rotating work internships in authentic employment settings

A Community Integration Approach: 

We draw on our extensive local resources by bringing professionals from the Greater New Haven community to our site to offer classes, workshops, and seminars. Whether it’s a local artist teaching painting, a retired pediatrician teaching classes in human anatomy, a New Haven professional conducting human sexuality seminars, or a human resources manager from a local corporation speaking on interviewing techniques, we endeavor to expose our students to as many community resources as possible.
“It is our proven belief that the only way to teach independence is in a setting that imitates life.” Jordan Girard, Director of the REACH Program
Well beyond the average dormitory, Chapel Haven is unique in offering an apartment setting that helps individuals negotiate all aspects of independent living.
Over a 24-month period, our 30 students live in fully furnished and equipped apartments on a modernized campus, where they benefit from intensive one-to-one attention and life skills instruction. We teach young adults the day-to-day living skills that will be necessary for independent living when they graduate from the residential program and access a range of options, including our Supported Living Program.
Experienced teachers and life skills instructors work hand in hand to blend lessons from the classroom into apartment instruction. Researching recipes on the Internet, price comparisons for laundry soap or orange juice and learning how to manage illness are examples of ways in which we coach our students to be savvy and smart consumers.
Our location in a small but vibrant cosmopolitan city offers our individuals a broad range of cultural and sporting events to attend and provides rich opportunities for both recreation and volunteering.
A structured recreation program occurs on evenings and weekends. Click here to see our Recreation Brochure. With 25 activities, on average, a month to choose from, the Recreation program is a key part of our curriculum, and teaches our clients to:
Manage Free Time
Master Social Etiquette
Male & Nurture Life-Long Friendships
Manage Money
Follow a Schedule
Popular weekend activities, chaperoned by our energetic and caring weekend recreation staff, include:

    Lunch and shopping at the mall (i.e., CT Post Mall, Palisades Mall, Clinton Crossings)
    New York City (Broadway production of Lion King, dinner in Chinatown; baseball games; Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum)
   Yale sporting events (men’s hockey, football, basketball)
 Memberships available to the Jewish Community Center of GNH for fitness and cultural activities
   Medieval Times, NJ
   Hiking, biking, picnics in the park
   Six Flags
   Bronx Zoo
Meaningful employment is an important part of an
independent lifestyle.
Recognizing the importance of this, topics and experiences that prepare our young adults for rewarding employment are carefully woven into REACH programs. Over the 2 year period, progressively more challenging opportunities are offered.
REACH students take part in the Working Partnerships Curriculum where they go off site with staff to learn about the etiquette of work and the the hidden “social rules” as well as get help with resume preparation and receive a comprehensive job orientation. Chapel Haven’s assessment tool, uses 100 variables to measure each individual’s ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ skills that will help determine next steps in seeking employment.
The vocational process is outlined for each student at the start of the REACH program and the desire to work and live independently infuses the curriculum.
Our program curriculum is carefully crafted from key workplace skill building needs as determined by Chapel Haven’s newly established CareerAbility. Upon graduation, this division helps Chapel Haven adults find meaningful vocational paths and placements according to each individual’s abilities and dreams. To give our REACH clients a jumpstart in this process, REACH staff work closely with CareerAbility to ensure that our program curriculum keeps up with all emerging employment needs and builds these critical skills into our curriculum 

REACH is typically a two year program which builds a strong foundation by addressing key challenges faced by our clients. Together, we guide them to overcome many of these challenges by building confidence, and equipping our young adults with the necessary coping strategies and skills that lead to wonderful, self-determined futures.

Some of the typical challenges addressed by our experience-rich curriculum:

Executive functioning and organization

Time management & follow through

Self-advocacy and self-awareness

Understanding the perspective of others and hidden social rules

Appropriately starting and ending conversations

Personal safety and social naiveté (how to differentiate between complete strangers, acquaintances, friends and family)

Managing the online world (cyber safety and limiting electronics)

Navigating the working world
(finding and keeping the right job)

Managing daily living (eg: cooking, budgeting, hygiene, maintaining an apartment, shopping, budgeting,)

Managing one’s health – fitness; doctors’ appointments; exercise; sensible eating; wellness regimen

Navigating and problem-solving in community settings

REACH is a two year program which builds a strong foundation by addressing key challenges faced by our clients. Together, we guide them to overcome many of these challenges by building confidence, and equipping our young adults with the necessary coping strategies and skills that lead to wonderful, self-determined futures.

Some of the typical challenges addressed by our experience-rich curriculum:

Executive functioning and organization

Time management & follow through

Self-advocacy and self-awareness

Understanding the perspective of others and hidden social rules

Appropriately starting and ending
conversations

Personal safety and social naiveté (how to differentiate between complete strangers, acquaintances, friends and family)

Managing the online world (cyber
safety and limiting electronics)

Navigating the working world
(finding and keeping the right job)

Managing daily living (eg: cooking, budgeting, hygiene, maintaining an apartment, shopping, budgeting,)

Managing one’s health – fitness; doctors’ appointments; exercise; sensible eating; wellness regimen

Navigating and problem-solving
in community settings

What can you hope to gain by becoming
part of the REACH program?

By the time you graduate from the REACH program, we expect that you will…

…be able to live with independence and the appropriate supports and adaptive technologies

…effectively access basic community resources

…have a thriving adult social network

…gain and keep meaningful employment

…manage a budget

…pursue a healthy lifestyle that includes fitness, a sensible diet and an awareness of medical needs

…learn how to be safe in a community

To enrich the lives and the experience of our REACH clients, Chapel Haven offers a wide selection of extra-curricular activities

Additional Services:

Arts Education at Chapel Haven
Recreation
Social Communication Therapy
Workshops each quarter on relevant topics
Employment services
Individualized non-residential supports,
including case management, apartment
maintenance, budgeting transportation
College supports
Individual coaching
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
REACH Day (State Department of
Education Approved)
Transition Program for IEP students

To enrich the lives and the experience of our
REACH clients, Chapel Haven offers a wide
selection of extra-curricular activities

Additional Services:

Recreation
Social Communication Therapy
Workshops each quarter on relevant topics
Employment services
Indivudalized non-residential supports,
including case management, apartment
maintenance, budgeting transportation
College supports
Individual coaching
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
REACH Day (State Department of
Education Approved)
Transition Program for IEP students

How is REACH different?

1. This flagship program utilizes a life skills model that has helped hundreds of graduates master the art of living independent and productive lives.

2. Our curriculum has been honed over nearly 50 years of experience in the field, finetuned by international experts in autism and developmental disabilities.

3. We are evidence-based and measure student progress every step of the way, in four different settings – residential, classroom, community activities and employment.

4. By the time a student is ready to “graduate” into a more independent life at Chapel Haven, the adult, their team at Chapel Haven and their family have a detailed understanding of the student’s strengths, challenges and supports needed to continue an independent life.

5. We then provide a number of options upon REACH graduation which step in as our adults become community members in order to provide those supports.

How is REACH different?

1. This flagship program utilizes a life skills model that has helped hundreds of graduates master the art of living independent and productive lives.

2. Our curriculum has been honed over nearly 50 years of experience in the field, finetuned by international experts in autism and developmental disabilities.

3. We are evidence-based and measure student progress every step of the way, in four different settings – residential, classroom, community activities and employment.

4. By the time a student is ready to “graduate” into a more independent life at Chapel Haven, the adult, their team at Chapel Haven and their family have a detailed understanding of the student’s strengths, challenges and supports needed to continue an independent life.

5. We then provide a number of options upon REACH graduation which step in as our adults become community members in order to provide those supports.

Upon “graduation” from REACH, Chapel Haven subsequently provides a number of follow-on options, as determined by the strengths and needs of each client

CHAPEL HAVEN’S “NEXT STEP” OPTIONS FOR LIFELONG SUPPORT

SUPPORTED LIVING PROGRAM

Our Supported Living Program then steps in as our adults become community members in order to provide those supports.
LEARN MORE…

COMMUNITY LIFE PROGRAM

The Community Life Program (CLP) is designed to offer a structured, community-focused day for individuals who are either not working or working a limited number of hours. Chapel Haven’s CLP provides participants with opportunities to explore, interact and volunteer in the Greater New Haven community.
LEARN MORE…

SAIL PROGRAM

The Schleifer Adult Independent Living (SAIL) program provides oversight and structure for individuals who need to remain on campus in a new, state-of-the-art facility. Includes housing and 24/7 staff oversight with all aspects of daily life.
LEARN MORE…

Contact Info:
Christy Chandler
(203) 397-1714, ext. 185