​On April 19, 2022,  Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead announced their commitment to promoting competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities and to highlight a program that assists students with autism with the transition from high school to college and, ultimately, the workforce.

Highlighting West Chester University’s Dub-C Autism Program (D-CAP) as one of several throughout the commonwealth supported by the Wolf Administration’s 2017 initiative to offer financial and administrative support to students with autism in their pursuit of higher education and competitive employment, the pair said the initiative is supported by L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).

Through this program, OVR supports D-CAP students by helping them identify a career track and prepare for competitive, integrated employment. OVR also provides financial assistance of up to $2,500 per student per semester to those who attend D-CAP, depending on the level of support needed. OVR is currently providing financial support to 52 students in the program.

DHS’s Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) provides services and supports to Pennsylvanians with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families and caregivers. This includes services that support integrated and meaningful employment for adults with autism.

The D-CAP program has expanded to include multiple overnight, on-campus College Autism Readiness Retreat (CARR) summer programs for students with autism. West Chester’s HYPE  program — High School Youth Preparation for Higher Education — also prepares students by helping them to obtain experience in a field of interest, exposing them to a college-living environment and improving their community integration skills. The program includes after-school classes with hands-on learning experiences during the school year at Southeastern Pennsylvania Autism Resource Center (SPARC), peer mentoring, parent education and support program, and a summer program that includes instruction and campus experiences at West Chester University.

More information on DHS’ resources for people with autism can be found here or at www.everydaylives.org.

To view the press release, click here.