This Philly Org Provides Job Support for Adults with Disabilities—And Offers Social Activities and Retreats, Too
Entering the “real world”—the workforce, adult friendships, financial independence and more—can be a tough transition for all young adults. For adults living with disabilities, this transition can be even more challenging, as the resources that provided them support throughout high school are no longer available.
But even without school-based resources, there are opportunities to make that transition easier, and they’re available here in the Philly area. The problem, according to Christine Coughenour, Director of Adult and Recreation Services at Valley Forge Education Services (VFES), is that parents and families often don’t know that these helpful resources exist, nor do they know how to access them.
“A lot of adults with disabilities graduate from high school and don’t know what to do, and their parents and families weren’t made aware of the processes to get them into work or into different types of activities that will help them stay social and be contributing members of society,” explains Coughenour.
Accessing these resources is the most important step that families can take to support their loved ones with disabilities—and Valley Forge Educational Services is a hub for some of our area’s premier resources to ensure that disabled individuals receive the support they need to lead fulfilling lives. Composed of a K-12+ educational program, a job support program, respite opportunities, and connections at social events, VFES enriches the lives of adults with disabilities and can improve the lives of their families as well.
We talked to Coughenour about VFES’s many resources, how adults living with disabilities in the Philadelphia area can live life to the fullest, and how their parents and families can help them secure these opportunities.
What is Valley Forge Educational Services’ philosophy?
“We provide social activities, work and education—everything that children and adults with disabilities need to have a continuum of growth throughout their lifetimes. From our educational and clinical services offered at The Vanguard School [kindergarten to age twenty-two], to employment support at our Customized Workforce Solutions program, as well as camps, respite retreats and social events, individuals with disabilities are able to experience our organization from their school years to adulthood, including during those pivotal transitions,” Coughenour says of VFES’s mission.
And that growth is achieved not only through the services on-campus at Valley Forge Educational Services, but also through the services it provides in real-world settings across the Philly area. Providing opportunities for adults with disabilities to connect with their communities can enrich their lives for a number of reasons, says Coughenour—one of those reasons being social relationships.
That’s why social experiences are encouraged at VFES, not just in work environments, but also with peers—through organized retreats to local campsites and beaches, group picnics and excursions to local events like the Philadelphia Flower Show. Monthly, all students receive lists of upcoming activities, and can select which they’d like to attend—some even include opportunities for family members to participate in as well.
Coughenour has seen long-term friendships blossom through these gatherings and trips, and she adds that these events can be such great bonding opportunities that many participants choose to attend every retreat.
What kind of career services are available for adults at Valley Forge?
Coughenour’s department at VFES, Adult and Recreational Services, matches adults with competitive career opportunities that complement their skills and passions—but it also helps individuals to identify those skills, should they need some time and experience to figure out where their goals lie.
One way to parcel out those goals is through transitional programs for adults ages 18-24, which give participants life skills, job coaching and volunteering experience. While students sample different opportunities, they gain experiences with budgeting, time management and responsibility that help lay a strong base for any career path.
“They get to experience different work options so they can figure out what they do and don’t like,” says Coughenour.
Others who are excited to break into the professional world might opt for the Vocational Immersion Program, a four-week summer program that introduces students to volunteering positions in different industries, giving them exposure to various career paths.
And to pursue whichever path they choose, a VFES program called Customized Workforce Solutions (CWS) pairs adult individuals with roles in various workplaces. Some individuals Coughenour and her staff have worked with currently hold positions on farms and at animal daycare centers, while others have found connection and joy in food service, customer service and other industries.
Ultimately, whatever career VFES participants take on, occupational skills are worth more than just their weight in securing a job. Relationships with coworkers, the ability to pursue passions, and professional confidence can be crucial for a sense of identity and routine.
How can people access these resources?
According to Coughenour, resources and funding opportunities for people with disabilities are plentiful—and through information and resource fairs, Valley Forge Educational Services helps parents, families and adults learn about them. One upcoming event, a free parent education webinar about suicide prevention in the neurodiverse population, is taking place on Thursday, February 29th from 6:00-9:00 pm. The registration deadline is February 22nd and space is limited. Additional webinars will be added in the coming months.
Beyond attending events, there are more ways to connect with VFES—the first of them, Coughenor says, being securing a support coordinator for your loved one with a disability. A support coordinator, who you can connect with through your county’s website, can help families select the best programs, and navigate the financial support networks available to them to enroll in programs like Customized Workforce Solutions.
Though paying privately is an option for participants at Valley Forge Educational Services, Coughenor says that many families don’t need to do so—support coordinators and VFES can point families towards state and district funding. That makes these programs not only helpful, but accessible—and lays a stable foreground for your loved ones with disabilities to thrive.
To learn more about Valley Forge Educational Services, visit vfes.net or attend one of their upcoming events.
This is a paid partnership between Valley Forge Educational Services and Philadelphia Magazine