Recognizing National Disabilities Independence Day, July 26th, Chester County Commissioners joined leaders and staff of the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) at the County Cup, located in the Chester County Government Services Center. Pictured left to right are: County Cup employee Nick Abate; County Cup Supervisor Scot Semple; County Cup students Aiden and Garrett; Commissioners Marian Moskowitz and Josh Maxwell; Kim Ring, CCIU Supervisor of Community-Based Instruction & Adult Services; CCIU Deputy Executive Director Steve Gerhard; Siobhan Leavy, CCIU Director of Student Services; CCIU Job Trainer Ruby Colon; and Commissioner Eric Roe.
Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe marked National Disability Independence Day, July 26, with a visit to the County Cup, a grab-and-go breakfast and lunch café that provides on-the-job training to persons with disabilities through the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s (CCIU) Discover program. The County Cup began more than 12 years ago as a joint venture between the Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MH/IDD) and the CCIU.
Joining the Commissioners and staff at the County Cup were CCIU Deputy Executive Director Steve Gerhard, Director of Student Services Siobhan Leavy, and Supervisor of Community-Based Instruction & Adult Services, Kim Ring. National Disability Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.
The County Cup provides training, job skills and employment opportunities in food service and catering for Chester County residents – students from age 14 through to adults – with special needs.
Since its beginnings at the Chester County Government Services Center, the County Cup program has expanded to six locations countywide, including the Chester County Justice Center. In 2016, the program was recognized by The National Association of Counties (NACo) for Outstanding Achievements in the Employment and Training category.
“Training and employment programs are critical elements of creating independence for individuals with disabilities as they gain confidence and skills as well as valuable career exposure,” said Stephanie Kilcoyne Chester County IDD Deputy Administrator. “Chester County government is proud to host two County Cup locations and to partner with the CCIU to engage with and support our community members.”
Under the guidance of the CCIU, the County Cup supports skill development and helps to identify interest for future career options in the food service job area. Students rotate through various jobs including customer service, serving, cleaning up, working as cashier and checking inventory. The students also develop work readiness skills including hygiene, punctuality, following directions, accepting supervision and independence.
Kimberly Ring, Supervisor of Community-Based Instruction & Adult Services for CCIU, noted, “Our goal is to provide meaningful job training experiences that teach and empower students and adults with disabilities to be successful in the working community. Chester County government’s partnership with the CCIU’s County Cup has provided a greater platform to help us do just that.”
