Employment Program Services

Clients & families

Competitive Integrated Employment (CEI)

On October 9, 2013, Governor Brown signed AB 1041 into law, creating an “Employment First Policy” in California. This policy other laws strive for competitive employment, helping people with developmental disabilities find jobs where they can work alongside others and earn fair wages. This could also include working for yourself in your own small business.

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), and the California Department of Education (CDE) work together to support this policy. This approach is often called “Competitive Integrated Employment” (CIE) or “Real Work for Real Pay in the Real World.”

With the right support, opportunities, and ambition, people with developmental disabilities can thrive in the workplace, build relationships with coworkers, and become more connected to their community.

Learn more at the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

Paid Internship Program (PIP)

The Paid Internship Program helps people build their job skills and get valuable work experience that can help them find a paid job in the future. In some cases, the internship might even turn into a full- or part-time job at the same place. This is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and take big steps toward a successful career.

The program was designed to promote competitive integrated employment (CIE) and offers paid internships that can be set up like traditional internships or apprenticeships—and can even support self-employment! The funds provided for these internships cover wages (at least minimum wage) and payroll costs. Each eligible person can have up to 1,040 hours of paid internship time per year, and they can participate in more than one internship.

Who is Eligible?

Any San Diego Regional Center client who is 18 or older, has the legal right to work, and wants to pursue a job—whether part-time or full-time.

Individuals should also be able to travel independently or have reliable transportation options, such as ADA Paratransit, rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, or support from a family member.

Regional centers can now provide paid internships to transition-aged students aged 18-22 while maintaining their eligibility for school services. This must be determined by both the IEP and IPP planning teams.

How Does it Work?

The IPP team including the SDRC Service Coordinator meet to identify key details for the internship. These include the purpose, such as learning work tasks, improving communication skills, gaining experience for a resume, mastering a trade, or preparing to start a business. An approved agency or vendor will help arrange the internship and provide ongoing support.

The team will also outline the number of hours, weekly schedule, and completion date for the internship. The internship must align with a person-centered outcome in the IPP to justify its purpose. SDRC partners with an FMS/Co-Employer agency to manage funding, pay wages, cover payroll costs, and provide worker’s compensation.

More to Know

For any potential internship, a planning and budget sheet must be completed and then reviewed by the Employment Resource Coordinator. Once everything is verified, funding is arranged through a Financial Management Co-Employer (FMS), who helps manage payments and ensures the funds are properly allocated for the internship.

For more information, please contact Michelle Flores, Employment Services Coordinator (Community Services) at Michelle.Flores@sdrc.org.

Download the PIP brochure

Supported Employment

Adults who want to work may qualify for Supported Employment services. These supports can include help finding a job, transportation training, paid internships, and specialized job training.

The planning team decides whether or not Supported Employment is the right service. The adult, his or her service coordinator, the Department of Rehabilitation, and other members of the planning team work together to create an agreement about the supports that might be most helpful. Supported Employment can be provided in individual or group settings, depending on the person’s needs, interests, talents, and skills.