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Career, Independent Living and Learning Studies (CILLS)

Career, Independent Living and Learning Studies (CILLS)
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Career, Independent Living and Learning Studies (CILLS)
200 Prospect St.
University Center-Top Floor
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Program Contact Domenico Cavaiuolo
Program Contact Email dcavaiuolo@esu.edu
Website Program website

ESU's Career, Independent Living & Learning Studies (CILLS) program is sponsored by the College of Education, Department of Special Education & Rehabilitation, the Career Development Center and Conference Services. It is a three-year (non-degree) program where individuals with intellectual disabilities gain a college experience and develop skills to enhance their abilities to live and work within their communities. It is a stand-alone certificate program and not a degree program. The program includes academic enrichment, enhanced socialization, increased independent living skills. The series of training activities and experiences culminate in an internship of work-based learning and the ability to audit regular classes; this all leads to the outcome of independent living and competitive employment. ESU CILLS program is highly recognized for its high-quality model with proven success. Individuals participating in ESU's CILLS program experience daily an inclusive learning environment in multiple settings. Participants share in classroom learning studies to help gain knowledge of relevant functional learning needs and have the opportunity to apply them within their residential component and campus and community experiences. Participants have mentors to guide them and to support them in completing assigned school work, participate in campus life activities as well as community experience off campus. Finally, they have full access to the university services such as the Recreation Center to join in inclusive intermural activities as well as cultural and sporting events that may be on campus. In summary the program participants are fully-immersed into the campus social and academic experiences with on-campus coursework that supports their goals. Indivuduals live in off-campus houses with other program participants, with a house mentor in each house.

Program information submitted: January 24, 2023

General
Public or private: Public
Type of school: 4-year college or university
Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? No
Number of students: 22
Requirements
Program serves students who have left high school? Yes, all of our students have left high school
Regular high school diploma required? No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted
Deadline to apply to this program: December 1st for the following Fall semester
Criteria for admission
  • Age range: 18-26
Accepts out-of-state students? Yes
Program length: 3 years
Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates
Acceptance rate for the most recent fall term: 20.00%
Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: 100.00%
Cost
Average out-of-state tuition, current year: $13500.00
Program fees: $1524.00
Additional costs:

Meals

Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? Pending (we have applied to become a CTP but have not yet been approved)
Students pay for the program in the following ways:
  • Private pay (student and family)
  • Tuition Waivers
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
  • Scholarships
  • Local School District funds
  • Medicaid Waiver or Day Habilitation funds
Academic
Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): Typical college courses for audit
Students take courses that are only for students in this program: Yes
Information on special classes:

CILLS Curriculum

Percentage of academic time spent in inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): 75-99%
Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester? Yes
Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: Certificate of completion
Is the credential approved by the college/university? Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE
Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services:
  • Career services
  • Health services
  • Access to a transcript via the registrar
Employment
Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: 0%
Other career development activities are:
  • Internships
  • Volunteer work
  • Community Service
Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: 100%
Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? Yes
Housing
Housing is provided to students: No
Extracurricular
Students participate in student organizations on campus: Yes
Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): 100%
Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities
  • Registered student organizations
  • Student government
  • Club sports
  • Campus events