Kinney Center at Saint Joseph’s University Partners with Governor’s Office to Support Students with Autism
PHILADELPHIA (September 28, 2018) - The Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at Saint Joseph's University recently entered into a partnership with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to assist students on the autism spectrum between ages 14 to 21 as they transition from education to employment after school is finished.
"The Kinney Center sees our new partnership with OVR as an opportunity to expand our impact in the transitional community, as well as a new and exciting training opportunity for our 160 Saint Joseph's University undergraduates studying to work in the field of autism," said Arianna Esposito '12, '14 (M.S.), '18 (MBA), associate director of adult and transition programs at the Kinney Center.
Through the Kinney Center, students and their families have access to a comprehensive resource center including information, networking and advocacy support, supervised peer mentoring and social skills programs, support and educational resources for college-age students with high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome. Saint Joseph's University also offers an undergraduate major and minor in Autism Behavioral Studies. The center's mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families managing an autism diagnosis, while training compassionate and dedicated professionals to be empowered and capable of fulfilling these goals.
On September 11, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak and acting Executive Director for the OVR Ryan Hyde toured the Kinney Center, including training facilities used to prepare 160 undergraduates to work in the field of autism, program rooms supporting more than 900 families affected by autism, counseling center serving 31 individuals on the spectrum attending Saint Joseph's University and hydroponic gardens providing farm-to-table meals for transitional and adult clients.
"Helping job seekers obtain good-paying, family-sustaining jobs is a top priority of the Wolf Administration," says Oleksiak. "The Department of Labor & Industry is proud to facilitate the transition from high school to secondary education, or meaningful employment, for students with disabilities."
The Pennsylvania OVR provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain employment. In 2017, OVR helped place more than 9,300 customers into employment and connected with 6,000 employers across the state to achieve hiring results.