200 Prospect St.
University Center-Top Floor
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
| Program Contact | Domenico Cavaiuolo |
| dcavaiuolo@esu.edu | |
| Phone | 5704223282 |
| Website | http://www.esu.edu/cills |
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.
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Public |
| Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program? | No |
| Students in this program: |
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| Number of students: | 30 |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Deadline to apply to this program: | December 15th for the following Fall semester |
| Requirements for admission to this program: |
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| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
| Please indicate which disabilities students in this program have: |
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| Program length: | 3 years |
| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students applying who are admitted: | 83% |
| Retention rate: | 100% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Cost of the program: |
Additional Costs vary. Program participants would rent a house off campus and live with the CILLS participants. The rent is shared. A house mentor also resides with them and receives a stipend. Fees vary based on the rent and number of roommates. Meals are prepared in the house but participants also have a university ecard that is funded so they can eat on campus and make purchases. |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)? | No |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
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| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students take these types of "typical" courses (with students who don't have disabilities): | Typical college courses for audit |
| More about course access: |
Courses offered in the past include: Introduction to ART, Radio Practium, Acting, Principles of Food and Beverage, Vocational Rehabilitation, Child Development, Introduction to Human Services, Health and Wellness and Strength Training, Tennis, Aerobics, Introduction to Athletic Training, Introduction to Exercise Science, Physical Conditioning, Fundamentals of Music, Introduction to Human Services, and Introduction to Multi-Media. |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: |
During the first year, specific courses are designed to encourage independent living. Growth continues into the second and third years combining specific classroom instruction, internships and regular university classes for audit. |
| Time spent only with other students in this program: | Less than 25% of the time |
| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 10% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 90% |
| We offer the following specialized credentials: |
A general certificate is offered. |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Students participate in student organizations on campus: | Yes |
| Proportion of time spent only with other students in this program: | 25% |
| Students have participated in these social/extracurricular activities and organizations: |
Students all participate in clubs and organizations as well as being included within the university’s sport teams. Some of the clubs that students participate in are in leadership role positions. For example, students have been in the position of Historian in the Rehabilitation Student Services Organization (RSSO). Students in the Best Buddies organization have taken on the position of Buddy Advocate Representative. In the Counsel for Exceptional Children (CEC) organization, students have been in leadership positions in support of the organization’s activities. Other student organizations that students have been part of over the past few years are, Outing Club, Theater Club, Music Ensemble, and Community Band. Students have the opportunity to participate in over 160 student organizations available at ESU. Students have also participated as managers on sport teams such as basketball, field hockey, track and field and football. The CILLS students have been seen as contributing members of the aforementioned organizations and sport teams.
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