Employment Program Services
Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE)
Governor Brown signed California’s Employment First Policy into law in October 2013. This policy and 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 proper 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 individuals develop their job skills and gain valuable work experience that can lead to a paid job in the future. In some cases, the internship may even lead to a full- or part-time job at the same location. This is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and take big steps toward a successful career.
The program helps 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 participate in more than one internship at a time.
- Anyone who is an SDRC client, at least 18 years old, and seeking employment.
- Individuals who can travel independently or have reliable transportation options.
- Transition-aged students aged 18-22.
The IPP team meets 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. The team will also outline the number of hours, weekly schedule, and completion date for the internship.
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.
Contact Michelle Flores, Employment Services Coordinator (Community Services) at Michelle.Flores@sdrc.org.
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 determines whether 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.
