The Partnership for Inclusive Internships (PII) is a transformative collaboration between Westchester County, The Arc Westchester, and AHRC NYC. This initiative creates a bridge between talented job seekers with developmental disabilities and Westchester County government departments, fostering a more diverse and inclusive local workforce.
Why PII Matters
Despite a strong desire to work, individuals with disabilities often face barriers to competitive employment. PII addresses this by providing 320 hours of paid, structured internship experience.
- Real-World Experience: Interns are placed directly within County departments to build professional skills in a supportive environment.
- A Proven Success Model: The program is modeled after AHRC NYC’s highly successful initiative, which has placed over 250 interns in NYC government roles since 2019.
- High Retention: Nationally, this model has seen over 40% of interns hired into permanent, full-time positions.
How the Partnership Works
PII operates through a unique, multi-agency model designed to ensure both the intern and the employer succeed:
- Westchester County (Host & Leadership): Provides the workplace setting and connects motivated candidates with departmental needs.
- The Arc Westchester (Operations & Support): Acts as the program lead, providing intensive job coaching, intern preparation, and ongoing quality assurance.
- AHRC NYC (Expertise & Training): Offers the blueprint for success, providing the mentorship and training necessary to replicate their proven results.
- Funding Partners: The program is made possible through a grant from the Taft Foundation and ACCES-VR.
Meet Our Team & Get Started
Whether you are a Westchester County department head looking to host an intern or a job seeker ready to start your career, we want to hear from you.
“PII builds workplace skills and supports pathways to inclusive employment.”
Contact Information
Shari Lewitt, Director of Career Development and Supports
Email: slewitt@arcwestchester.org
Phone: (914) 495-4491
