Employment, education, and training for career learning 

Employment is a normalizing experience in most people’s lives and one that is especially elusive to people with mental illness.  CareLink’s Career Services programs provides individualized employment, education, and training services to promote self-worth, the development of natural supports, and community integration.  

Job placement in itself is not our goal.  Teaching people to help themselves by expanding their existing skills is the key to success.   

Individual attention makes the difference

CareLink’s Career Services are driven by the interests, strengths, skills, and needs of the job seeker.  Employment and Education Specialists partner one-on-one with individuals to complete a comprehensive assessment and develop a flexible service plan. 

Our Career Services specialists then counsel participants on available services based on the person’s unique needs and goals. We use individualized career counseling and offer a variety of skills training options to teach and build needed employment supports. 

Through open and mutual dialogue we explore the range of issues people confront in returning to work or school while managing their disability.  Many people are unsure about disclosing their disability to potential employers.  Career Services helps each person to make an individual decision, and provides supports according to their preference.    

Program Services and Supports

Career Services provide a range of services to help people reach their goals in school and work.  These include:

Vocational assessment
Ours is a collaborative process to gather and evaluate the person’s educational and employment history to help identify strengths, resources and needs.  

Education services  
Help for people with goals in education, whether to complete a GED, attend job specific training, or earn a college or advanced degree.  Through one-to-one coaching, specialists provide information, help with applications, tutoring, advocacy with schools, and problem solving assistance. 

Employment services
We help people who want to work to match their interests and skills with competitive employment opportunities.  CareLink staff members provide job-seeking skills training, targeted job development, on-site vocational support, and retention assistance.  Helping people maintain their jobs is a unique feature of our program.   

Computer skills training
With support from the Beaumont Foundation, Career Services has a computer lab with state of the art equipment and software.  Participants use the lab for individual projects, such as homework or job search, and can participate in the software tutorials offered each month by staff.  Sample training topics include Internet basics, Windows XP, MS Word, and Excel, using e-mail, and accessing on-line education and employment supports.

Disability management
People can participate in non-stigmatizing groups and peer supports to promote wellness, recovery, and achievement. Current offerings include: 

1. Share Group - an employment and wellness peer support group
2. Stress Management Group – a bi-weekly group focusing on managing stress through peer sharing, imagery, deep breathing and stretching exercises, journaling, and art therapy.
3. Specialty skills workshops such as “Interviewing 101” based on feedback from participants and staff observation of need.

Service Area

CareLink’s Career Services serves people in Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania.

Services in Delaware County are based in Lansdowne, PA.  Services in Montgomery and Chester Counties are provided in the community throughout the two counties.

Services are funded through contracts with the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, private payment, and the generosity of our contributors. 

For general information or to make a referral please contact:

Elizabeth Hutwelker, CPRP, Career Services Director
140 S. Lansdowne Avenue 
Lansdowne, PA  19050
Phone: 610-626-6442
Fax: 610-626-2336
Email: ehutwelker@carelinkservices.org 

For Chester County please contact:

Elizabeth Herbert, Chester County Career Specialist
Phone: 610-626-6442 or 610-429-1702
Email: eherbert@carelinkservices.org

For Montgomery County please contact:

, Montgomery County Career Specialist
Phone: 610-626-6442
Email: ehutwelker@carelinkservices.org