An Inclusive Workforce
Our mission is to empower people with disabilities through individual employment opportunities that foster self-sustainability, equality, and community.
Through partnerships with public agencies, businesses, schools, universities, and community organizations CIS works to build a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable workforce.
Our Vision
Employment First
Employment is the optimal way to make meaningful community connections and lead an independent, self-sufficient life.
Employment for All
ALL people, regardless of disability, have both the right and the responsibility to be an active part of their community
Inclusive Workforce
Our Strategies
Career Exploration
Exploring careers through discovery, assessment, and work experiences at actual employers in the community.
No 'Readiness' Model
Everybody is ready to work. We help people develop skills where they will be used: on the job.
A Resource for Hiring
Helping companies succeed by matching individual talents to business needs.
Job Coaching
Onsite training and coaching for productivity and independence.
Benefits Counseling
Helping families choose work and achieve financial empowerment through comprehensive benefits counseling.
Long-term Support
Long-term support for career advancement, enhancement, and success.
Braided Funding
Effective service delivery through braided public and private funding.
Our Staff Leaders
Susan Schonfeld, Executive Director
As Executive Director of CIS for over 25 years, Susan has overseen the agency’s remarkable growth from a university pilot program to the region’s largest supported employment agency serving over 2,000 people annually in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. Susan has become a “go-to” source of information and expertise in employment services for people with disabilities. She has worked on Senator Bob Casey’s Employment Round-table, sits on the board of Pennsylvania’s APSE chapter, and works as a consultant for other states and organizations on implementing effective community-based employment models. Susan was the recipient of National APSE’s Best Practices Award in 2014, earned for her unwavering commitment to the best interests of people with disabilities, along with her contributions to the Employment First movement. Susan earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Joe Bernardo, Director of Data and Fiscal Management
Joe earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in architecture, and worked with several architectural and retail firms before beginning as a job coach with CIS in 1999. In 2007 he won a Brighter Futures Award, recognized for his efforts in helping a CIS job seeker develop his own button making business – a business that still operates today. After working as both a Manager and Data and Billing specialist, Joe began his current position in 2009, where he oversees all data, technology, and billing services for CIS. In his time in this position, Joe has managed multiple transitions and updates to our increasingly automated and constantly growing data and billing systems.
Erin Phovilaychit, Director of Business Development
Erin has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a background in retail management and nonprofit work. Erin began with CIS in 2007, and has since built the Business Development department to a team of over 25 Business Development Specialists in Philadelphia and the suburban counties. Under her direction, thousands of individuals have found employment, including 201 new jobs in 2018. Erin works with businesses to address their workforce diversity initiatives and has strong hands-on experience in networking for exposure, strategic planning, and developing prolific, cost-effective solutions to keep business competitive. Erin is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.
Kelly Carroll, Director of Operations
Kelly oversees daily operations at CIS, including promoting community partnerships, facilitating training and development activities, partnering across funding sources, and overseeing quality management. She oversees two Project SEARCH programs in Philadelphia, including one of the first two pilot projects in the nation that adapts the program for students with a dual diagnosis of autism and intellectual disability. Kelly is also sought after to assist with employment planning projects across the state and has presented at numerous national conferences. A graduate of Temple University, Kelly has worked with people with disabilities for over 26 years.
Melissa Good, Director of Employment Services
Melissa directs all services offered through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (OVR/BBVS), and oversees a team of 9 CIS Assessment Specialists. Her department served over 700 individuals during our last fiscal year. Melissa received her master’s degree in Fine Arts, and worked as an artist and adjunct professor before beginning work with CIS in 2002 as a job coach. With this unique perspective, she developed CIS ArtWorks, an integrated studio space that provides supplies and professional support for artists with disabilities within the Philadelphia art community.
Sandi Hanley, Regional Executive Director
Sandi has over 30 years experience providing community-based employment services for people with disabilities, with extensive experience supervising managers and job coaches, ensuring high quality services, and proactively collaborating with funding sources, families, and community organizations. She has overseen all CIS Delaware programming from its inception in 2001, in that time growing to serve over 550 individuals in all three counties in Delaware. Sandi was the winner of the National APSE’s Professional Award in 2017, recognized for her work in facilitating Delaware’s multiple Project SEARCH programs and her incredible efforts in spreading integrated employment across the state.
Wendy Cowan, SHRM, Director of Human Resources
Wendy joined CIS in July 2011 with over 10 years of human resource generalist experience. At CIS, Wendy and her HR team are responsible for all human resource functions, payroll, and many other administrative functions for the agency. Wendy views her team’s role as supporting CIS’ diverse and talented staff, so they can continue to thrive at what they do best: help people with disabilities get to work. Wendy has a long history of nonprofit involvement, volunteering, coordinating, and producing events, and served as a board member for a community credit union for three years. Wendy is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Human Environmental Science.
Christopher Coffey, Assistant Director of Business Development
Chris began working at CIS as an Employment Training Specialist in 2013 before shifting roles the following year to help grow the agency’s Quality Assurance department, where he focused on regulatory compliance, incident management, quality and systems improvement activities, and staff training and development. He now oversees the Customized Employment (CE) team at CIS, using his wide variety of talents to support those who pursue a nontraditional approach to employment.
Chris was the recipient of a Points of Transformation Award through Philadelphia’s Intellectual DisAbility Services in 2014 for his efforts toward the development of a CIS consumer’s beekeeping business.Meghan Stephens, Assistant Director of Student Transition Services
Meghan works with over 12 school districts to coordinate unique transition and employment supports for over 250 students. Meghan started working at CIS in 2008 after completing master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Special Education and Sociology. After managing a full caseload at CIS for a year, Meghan turned her focus to student transition services, and was promoted to her current position in 2013. She now oversees CIS School to Work Transition programs, which includes Pre-Employment Transitions Services, Citizens for an Inclusive Workforce, and several specialized projects serving Philadelphia area youth with disabilities.
Danielle McIlhenny, Assistant Director of Employment Services
Danielle began with CIS as an Employment Training Specialist in 2011, and quickly progressed to a coordinator role, where she worked on scheduling and assisted the data team. Danielle then began managing a small team of job coaches before being promoted to Assistant Director of Employment Services in 2014. Danielle oversees the Autism Waiver program at CIS, growing from 5 to over 40 individuals under her watch. Danielle graduated from East Stroudsburg University in 2008 with a major in Rehabilitative Services and a minor in Psychology.
Anthony Phovilaychit, Assistant Director of Suburban Counties
Anthony joined the CIS team in 2008 as an Employment Training Specialist before joining the Business Development team in 2009. Anthony studied business at Millersville University, and used his expertise to form strong relationships with employers throughout Philadelphia and Delaware County to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Anthony then moved to a coordinator role, and in 2011, began overseeing operations of the suburban counties. Anthony is now the Assistant Director of Suburban Counties, and has grown his team to include 7 full time and 4 part-time staff members. Anthony is the liaison for the Supports Coordination Offices, and is also a member of the Office of Intellectual Disabilities Employment Forum.
Angelina Bush, Assistant Director of Benefits Counseling
Angelina oversees a team of benefits counselors that help people understand their benefits, access services and resources available to them, and make informed choices about work. She began as an Employment Specialist at CIS, and has an in-depth understanding of both employment services and government systems that allows her to address issues in a comprehensive manner. Angelina oversees CIS’ Ticket to Work program, and actively works to advise the larger community about benefits counseling by frequently leading presentations locally, statewide, and nationally. Angelina earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University, and was certified as a Community Partner Work Incentive Coordinator through the Virginia Commonwealth University Training Program in 2012. Angelina was also the winner of the National APSE’s Professional Award in 2016, earned for her renowned expertise in benefits counseling and the many hundreds of people she has served.Keith Bosco, Director of Operations, Delaware
Keith joined the CIS team in 2011, coming from a background in special education. As Assistant Director, he works closely with local school districts, employers, funding sources, and community organizations to facilitate services for hundreds of individuals. He assists in developing new contracts, as well as providing oversight for day-to-day operations. Keith also uses his expertise to co-facilitate Customized Employment trainings for the state of Delaware. Keith earned a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University and an associate’s degree in Human Services from Delaware Technical and Community College.Employment First
Employment First means that employment in the general workforce should be the first and preferred option for individuals with disabilities receiving assistance from publicly funded systems. It means real jobs, real wages, and equal access for people with disabilities.
Employment First is a movement of individuals, service providers, employers, advocates, government organizations, and policy makers that aim to expand the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce.
CIS is actively involved with Employment First at the local, state, and national levels, working collaboratively with stakeholders to increase the number of employed people with disabilities through advocacy, influencing policy, and sharing resources and expertise.