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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:

• Learn new skills in the workforce
• Discover your abilities and talents in the workplace
• Earn your own money
• Meet and interact with other people and build friendships
• Increased awareness and belonging to your community
• Increase confidence, independence, and self esteem
• Learn scheduling and time management
• Explore various career paths to find out which best fits your skills

Employment is defined as: 

• Be paid at least minimum wage
• Work full or part time
• Access to benefits packages (as applicable)
• Integrated alongside those without disabilities
• Opportunities for advancement

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.

Qualifications to Access Employment Supports:

• Be receiving services from North Los Angeles Regional Center
• 18 years or older
• Have High School Diploma or Certificate of Completion
• Express interest in working and getting support to do so
• Have employment identified as a goal in your Individual Program Plan (IPP)

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:

• Community Integrated Training Program (CITP) – Community integration supports individuals to actively engage in their local communities in ways that honor individualized choice.  These activities develop connections that can help you develop your skills and can be stepping stones toward competitive integrated employment opportunities.
• Supported Group Employment – A program which provides a full time job coach for individuals working on a small crew at a job site in the community.  Provides work experience and foundational employment preparation services that could lead to successful transition to individual employment in the community. 
• Paid Internship Program (PIP) – Job Development and Job Coaching are paired to secure an internship through an employer in the community in a job of your choice. The intent of the program is to increase integrated opportunities by gaining employment skills and experience working in the community.
• Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) – CIE is not a service, but rather it is the preferred outcome for all of our employment services.  Employment in the community where you regularly interact with your co-workers or public and earn similar wages and benefits directly from your employer.
• Coordinated Career Pathways (CCP) – CCP is a new service design in development with the following service components:

Employment Supports:

• Pre Employment Evaluation – Includes employment skills training, developing a resume, interview practice, and employment assessment to determine support needs and goals for future employment placement.
• Job Development – Identifies work interests through discovery, serves as an advocate and liaison, makes connections with potential employers, identifies potential barriers and job accommodations, and on-going support as needed.
• Job Coaching – On-the-job support to ensure employees are confident in their ability to complete job duties and meet employer expectations. Job coaches help break down instructions, provide reminders, supply advocacy, help learn job tasks/skills, offer redirection, and much more.

Employment Questions? Ask your Service Coordinator

Employment Resource Links: