Chester County Educational Program for Special Needs Residents Gets National Acclaim

WEST CHESTER, PA — The County Cup, a pilot project established by the Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MH/IDD) and the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), has been recognized nationally as an innovative program that modernizes and improves county government, Chester County announced.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) awarded the project its highest accolade in the Employment and Training category at this year’s Outstanding Achievements program, part of the NACo conference in Long Beach, California. 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, according to a press release.

Originally opened at the Chester County Government Services Center in 2012, the County Cup “Grab and
Go” kiosk concept expanded to the Chester County Justice Center in 2014, followed by a third location at
the CCIU Learning Center in March 2015, and at the Delaware County Community College Pennock’s
Bridge Campus in February of 2016, the release states. A fifth location will open this September.

An additional service, County Cup “On the Go” offers breakfast and lunch catering options for
gatherings of 10 to 150, the county said.

The County Cup program has employed 13 student workers and provides practical volunteer
opportunities for up to 50 students each week. To date, three former student workers have been hired as
permanent food service staff, according to the county.

“Like many of Chester County’s endeavors, the County Cup began as a vision – in this instance, a
vision to provide training and employment opportunities for our residents with disabilities,” said Chester
County Commissioners’ Chair, Terence Farrell, in a statement. “In just four years it has grown to include four locations and catering services. Much of this success is down to the hard work of MH/IDD Administrator Gary Entrekin and his team and the partnership that they have created with the CCIU, colleges and local
businesses, all working to support the program for the good of the students.”

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.

“It is a model that works. It is a model that is successful in Chester County and, I believe, it could
be successful anywhere," said Dr. Jacalyn Auris, CCIU Director of Student Services.

Image courtesy Chester County.