NLACRC Offices Closed Wednesday, December 25th, 2024.

If you have a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.

For urgent issues, call our 24-hour, after-hours phone line at (818) 778-1900.

Employment

Employment First:  Effective January 1, 2014, California enacted Assembly Bill 1041 stating “it is the policy of the State of California that opportunities for integrated, competitive employment shall be given the highest priority for working age individuals with developmental disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disabilities.”

Positive Impacts of Employment:

Competitive Integrated Employment is defined as: 

Competitive Integrated Employment is full-time or part-time work where you are paid minimum wage or higher. You receive pay at a rate like other employees without disabilities who have the same or similar types of duties, training, and experience.

View CIE Program

View Policy and Practice Models for CIE

How Do I Get Started: 

Contact your NLACRC Service Coordinator to request a meeting to discuss your interest in employment and begin to plan your next steps!  Begin brainstorming different dream jobs, talk to your family and friends about your different strengths, and determine which job development agency would be a good fit for you.

Look up PIP or Supported Employment Vendors Here

Qualifications to Access Employment Supports:

Employment & Your Individual Program Plan (IPP): 

When you explore employment opportunities with your Service Coordinator they can help you find community resources to support your employment goals and help you to identify which employment options and services are right for you.  You and your Service Coordinator will develop a person centered goal for employment that is included in your IPP. You can succeed at a job, earn a good wage, meet people on the job, and be more connected with your community with initiative and the right supports, everyone can work.

Employment Programs and Services:

Employment Supports:

What is a Paid Internship Program:

A Paid Internship Program (PIP) is for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities ages 18 and over who want to develop work skills. The program funds up to 1,040 hors per internship for wages and employer costs. PIP can help increase opportunities for Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE).

What is an Employment First Policy:

It is a policy that makes Competitive Integrated Employment the highest priority; to make regular jobs, with regular pay, a real option for people with developmental disabilities.

View the NLACRC’s Employment First Policy

View California’s Employment First Policy

California CIE Blueprint for Change:

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), California Department of Education (CDE), and California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) have an agreement in support of the State’s “Employment First” policy and other laws to make employment in an integrated setting, at competitive wage, for individuals with Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) its highest priority.

Visit the Department of Rehabilitation’s Blueprint for Change Website

Employment Services for People with Disabilities During Covid-19

Has your employment been impacted by COVID-19? Have your hours been reduced? Have you lost your job? Are you an essential worker concerned about safety? Disability Rights California (DRC) held a webinar earlier this year that you can find on their website along with many other resources.

View DRC’s Employment Services Webinar and Resources

Transition Planning

Transition planning is based on a student’s preferences, interests, and needs that help move students into a successful life after school. This may include academic instruction, community experiences, planning and preparing for employment, and other post-school living objectives.

download this documentView NLACRC’s Life After High School Transition Planning Guide (English)

download this documentView NLACRC’s Life After High School Transition Planning Guide (Spanish)

download this documentView a list of transition website resources

What is the ABLE act?

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible people with disabilities (designated beneficiaries). Funds from these 529A ABLE accounts can help designated beneficiaries pay for qualified disability expenses.

What is CalABLE?

CalABLE is a tax-advantaged savings and investment program designed to help eligible people save for disability-related expenses without jeopardizing their public benefits.

CalABLE accounts can be used for many different disability-related expenses, such as education, employment support, housing, transportation, assistive technology and healthcare.

Visit the CalABLE Website to Learn More

Employment Questions? Ask your Service Coordinator

Employment Program Related Questions? Contact Employment Specialist, Kai Brennan Email: kbrennan@nlacrc.org | Phone: (818) 826 – 2931

Employment Resource Links:

DOR (Department of Rehabilitation) Training Video
SSI & SSDI Work Incentives Video
Incentivos Laborales de SSI & SSDI Vídeo
Work is for Everyone Training Videos
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Why You Should Hire Someone With a Disability – Forbes
How Hiring People with Disabilities Will Make Your Business Stronger – Entrepeneur