PAL Program has Employed Another Student with Disabilities, Fulfilling its Key Mission 

SAYREVILLE, NJ – December 7,  2023 – A Pathways to Adult Living Program (PAL) program student, Michael Ciaccio, who completed the program in June, has been hired as a full-time employee at the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ) in Piscataway.

“This is a monumental moment in the PAL program – the first time our school district is hiring one of our own from this program,” said ESCNJ Schools Superintendent Nadia Romano. “Michael is a tremendous asset for us at the Professional Conference Center, where he is known for his positive and calm work ethic. He is attentive and is always eager to help with whatever task is at hand. He is a superb hire and we could not be more proud to support him.”  

ESCNJ is the state’s largest educational services commission, which includes seven schools for students 3-21 with autism, multiple disabilities, and at-risk behaviors. It is headquartered in Piscataway.

Ciaccio, of Spotswood, went through the PAL program at its location in Sayreville. It is a transitional program for students 18-21 years of age who have completed their high school academic requirements and would benefit from additional Community-Based Instruction (CBI) and Work-Based Learning (WBL).  

The program emphasizes vocational training (both paid and unpaid,) travel training through PAL’s partnership with the Rutgers New Jersey Travel Independence Program (NJTIP), financial literacy, self-advocacy and various recreational and leisure opportunities.

Ciaccio, 22, completed his academic requirements at Spotswood High School and started the PAL program in September 2019, given an extra year in the program because of the pandemic.

With a job coach for support, Ciaccio had the opportunity to work part-time at various jobs.  For the past two years he worked – and earned a paycheck – as a barista at the Starbucks in the Thomas Edison Travel Plaza, on the New Jersey Turnpike in Woodbridge. 

In January, he began splitting his time at Starbucks and as a part-time custodian at ESCNJ’s Professional Conference Center in Piscataway.

“Michael’s participation in the intensive PAL transition program has given him the skills needed to become an independent young man,” said Denise Geddis, ESCNJ’s Supervisor of Community-Based Instruction.  

“To date, every student who has completed the program has successfully secured employment,” she said. “This is a unique program. PAL Teacher, Marci Rubin and I work together with the student, parents, employer, and job coaches to give our students various employment skills and opportunities to allow them to be successful after they leave the program.” 

Upon completing the PAL program in June, Ciaccio was offered full-time employment at Starbucks.  After careful consideration, along with guidance from his parents, with whom he lives, Ciaccio applied for the open custodial position at ESCNJ.

Ciaccio learned many social communication and interviewing skills at PAL, Geddis said, noting these skills were instrumental in applying for the custodian position this summer. He went through the online application process, interviews and background verification – just like any other job prospect – before being hired strictly because of his work experience, enthusiasm and qualifications.

For 40 hours each week, Ciaccio provides various custodial services, under the direction of Ryan Cushing, Supervisor of Buildings/Grounds. He also assists Erynn Dakin, the Professional Conference Center’s Coordinator with daily operations and special events.

“I am so happy that I got the job,” Ciaccio said. “I really love working with Erynn and everyone else at ESCNJ and doing all the different jobs. Every day I learn something different.”

Earlier this year, Ciaccio received the Rebecca S. McDonald Award from the. New Jersey Transition Coordinators Network.  The award is given to a student who has been successful in activities, overcoming obstacles, motivation and achievement in any area of transition from school to adult life.  The various aspects can include independent living, self-advocacy, postsecondary planning, paid or unpaid employment, and/or participation in the Individualized Education Plan.

Ciaccio is the third student from the PAL program to receive this award since the program began in 2017.   

Photo credit:  ESCNJ