California AB 1111: Removing Barriers to Employment Act- Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative (2017)
“Existing law, the California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, establishes the California Workforce Development Board as the body responsible for assisting the Governor in the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California’s workforce investment system and the alignment of the education and workforce investment systems to the needs of the 21st century economy and workforce. That act requires the establishment of a local workforce development board in each local workforce development area of the state to, among other things, carry out analyses of the economic conditions in the local region.
This bill would enact the Removing Barriers to Employment Act, which would establish the Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative administered by the California Workforce Development Board. The bill would specify that the purpose of the initiative is to create a grant program to provide individuals with barriers to employment the services they need to enter, participate in, and complete broader workforce preparation, training, and education programs aligned with regional labor market needs. The bill would specify that people completing these programs should have the skills and competencies to successfully enter the labor market, retain employment, and earn wages that lead to self-sufficiency and economic security. The bill would require the board to develop criteria for the selection of grant recipients, as specified. The bill also would specify the criteria by which grants are required to be evaluated, the populations that are eligible to be served by grants, and the activities eligible for grant funding.”
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program and Supplement for the Supported Employment Services Program State Plan Program Years 2018 – 2020
~~“Priority 3: Capacity Building
Goal: Establish or enhance partnerships to increase the capacity of CDOR and the WIOA core program partners to improve service delivery for adults and youth with disabilities.”
California Emergency Medical Services Authority Disability Advisory Committee (EDAC)
“The EDAC is established pursuant to the requirements of California Government Code Section 19795 (b) (1), which requires all state agencies to establish a committee of employees who are individuals with a disability, or individuals with an interest in disability issues to advise the head of the agency on matters relating to the formation and implementation of a plan to overcome and correct any under representation determined pursuant to California Government Code Section 19234. The DAC is to advise the Director on matters relating to California Government Code Section 19795 (b) as a means to enhance employment and promotional opportunities for individuals with disabilities and to provide a vehicle for consultation related to effective implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 by the Department.”
This page has “examples of Local Partnership Agreements. These agreements were created at the local level to identify the ways in which local educational agencies (LEAs), Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Districts, and regional centers will work together to streamline service delivery, engage their communities, and increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).
Each agreement is tailored to meet the needs of the local community and represents the specific activities the core partners have agreed to implement. Agreements may be changed or expanded upon in the future, as needed.”
California Disability 101: Getting a Higher Education
“If you need special supports or accommodations to succeed while you are in high school, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that a well thought-out Individualized Education Program (IEP) be developed and updated yearly. The transition section of the IEP identifies your postsecondary goals in education, training, employment and, if necessary, independent living. It also looks at the transition services, courses, and activities that you can do while in high school that will help you to move on after you graduate.”
To assure accountability for services to special populations, including students pursuing nontraditional occupations, in programs funded under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V).
Program/Services
Provide statewide professional development and resources to support nontraditional training programs and services to students in special populations.
Allocate funding for training-of-trainers in nontraditional occupations in local school districts and online.
Outcomes
Expanded career possibilities for students through support of programs that help recruit and retain students in training program for occupations that are nontraditional for their gender.
Helped students to be successful in nontraditional programs through the creation of positive classroom environments, encouragement of parent, peer and employer support, and efforts to support continuous program improvement.
Assisted local educational agencies (LEAs) to work with business and industry to help students acquire current industry skills sets.
Increased focus on all aspects of special populations needs in career technical education (CTE) through statewide leadership, professional development, and technical assistance to LEAs.”
California SB 1274: Developmental services: data exchange (2017-2018)
“An Act to amend Section 4514 of, and to add Section 10850.6 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to developmental services.” The State Department of Social Services shall provide the State Department of Developmental Services with CalWORKs and CalFresh eligibility and enrollment data for consumers served by the State Department of Developmental Services for the purposes of monitoring and evaluating employment outcomes to determine the effectiveness of the Employment First Policy.”
“Triton Management Services, LLC, headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., agreed to pay $110,000 and provide other relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.
According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, an employee requiring medical attention and a leave of absence for a disability was denied leave and was instead fired. The EEOC said Triton failed to provide the employee a reasonable accommodation for her disability.
Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which makes it unlawful for an employer to fire-or otherwise discriminate against an employee due to a disability.
The EEOC filed suit at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (EEOC v. Triton, Inc., Case No.: 3:17-cv-02004-BAS-KSC), after first attempting to reach a voluntary, pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.
In addition to monetary relief, the three-year consent decree, which remains under the court’s jurisdiction during the term of the decree, includes injunctive relief intended to prevent further workplace discrimination. Triton will review and revise its written policies to achieve compliance with the ADA, provide regular training to all employees regarding the ADA, maintain a log detailing accommodation requests and complaints and conduct regular audits, and oversee recordkeeping and reporting requirements through a designated equal opportunity officer. The EEOC will monitor compliance with the terms of this agreement.”
California Desert/Mountain Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Local Partnership Agreement
“A new collaborative agreement was established between Local Education Agencies (LEAs), the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), the Inland Regional Center (IRC), and the Workforce Development Board, with student participation. Its purpose is to provide employment training and support to individuals in need of additional skills to be ready for competitive, integrated employment (CIE), that includes essential components of Customized Employment. The full scope of the agreement and list of services are available by following the link to the agreement.”
California DDS Fact Sheet: Home and Community Based Setting Rule
“The purpose of the rules is to ensure that individuals receive services in settings that are integrated in and support full access to the greater community. This includes opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive and integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources, and receive services to the same degree as individuals who do not receive regional center services. It means that settings need to focus on the nature and quality of individuals’ experiences and not just about the buildings where the services are delivered. Individuals have an active role in the development of their plan, the planning process is person-centered, and the plan reflects the individual’s service and supports and what is important to them.”
